INEB https://www.inebnetwork.org/ International Network of Engaged Buddhists Fri, 07 Aug 2026 06:05:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://www.inebnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cropped-INEB-icon-blue-32x32.png INEB https://www.inebnetwork.org/ 32 32 Bodhisattva in Crisis: Learning to Build an Inclusive Society https://www.inebnetwork.org/bodhisattva-in-crisis-learning-to-build-an-inclusive-society/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:06:43 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=45005 There are programs that teach us new knowledge, and there are journeys that quietly transform the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. Bodhisattva in Crisis: Learning to Build an Inclusive Society was one of those rare journeys.

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24–30 July 2026 | Bangkok & Wongsanit Ashram, Thailand

Writing and photos by Soe San

There are programs that teach us new knowledge, and there are journeys that quietly transform the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. Bodhisattva in Crisis: Learning to Build an Inclusive Society was one of those rare journeys.

Organized by the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) as a reverse exchange program with Buddhist Hongshi College, the program brought together young people from Taiwan with gender activists, practitioners, and facilitators in Thailand. Over six days, we explored what Engaged Buddhism means when it is lived—not simply studied. Rather than remaining in classrooms discussing theories, participants entered communities, listened to lived experiences, reflected on their own assumptions, and practiced being fully present with one another.

As one of the facilitators, I realized that the most important learning did not begin with social issues. It began with ourselves.

During our opening community-building sessions, participants were invited to practice deep listening and speak honestly about who they are, their fears, their hopes, and the struggles they carry. Many conversations were emotional. Some participants spoke about loneliness, identity, activism, family expectations, and uncertainty about the future. Others simply discovered how rare it is to be listened to without interruption or judgment.

Before trying to change society, we first experienced what it means to create a compassionate community.

One insight that stayed with us throughout the week emerged during our morning reflection at Wongsanit Ashram. One participant shared that transformation requires balance between three interconnected dimensions: the inner self, spiritual practice, and social structures. Looking only inward can become an escape from the suffering of society. Focusing only on activism without inner cultivation eventually leads to exhaustion and burnout. Concentrating only on changing systems without compassion can reproduce the very violence we seek to overcome. These three dimensions must continually nourish one another.

When our inner life is grounded, our social engagement becomes more sustainable.

This understanding became even clearer during Hua Boonyapisomparn’s Power Analysis workshop. Participants examined how power operates within institutions, communities, and even within ourselves. The workshop challenged us to recognize privilege, structural inequality, and the invisible systems that shape people’s lives. Yet it also reminded us that awareness without compassion can become another form of domination. Social transformation requires both critical analysis and deep humanity.

The learning continued beyond meeting rooms.

Our visit to the Mirror Foundation revealed how compassion becomes practical service for marginalized communities. At Wongsanit Ashram, participants encountered an entirely different understanding of sustainability. Rather than viewing ecology merely as environmental conservation, they experienced a way of life where food, housing, education, spirituality, and community exist as one integrated ecosystem. The Ashram itself was built as a sanctuary where activists could rest, reconnect with nature, and restore their spirits before returning to serve society. Over four decades, it has quietly become a place of healing and alternative education for countless young people and social practitioners.

The journey reached its deepest point during our dialogue with Ajahn Sulak Sivaraksa.

At ninety-four years old, Ajahn Sulak continues to embody fearless compassion. Rather than offering abstract teachings, he spoke from decades of lived experience—challenging injustice while remaining rooted in humility and friendship. He reminded participants that real social change does not begin with power or ideology but with kalyāṇamitta—spiritual friendship grounded in trust, honesty, and mutual care. Without authentic relationships, movements eventually become institutions that lose their heart.

Ajahn Sulak also reminded us that Buddhism is not about escaping the world but entering it more compassionately. A Bodhisattva is not someone who waits until becoming perfect before serving others. A Bodhisattva responds to suffering now, while continuing to learn, question, and transform themselves. Courage without compassion becomes aggression. Compassion without wisdom becomes sentimentality. The Bodhisattva path requires both.

Looking back, I realise this program was never simply about gender justice, ecology, or engaged Buddhism.

It was about learning how to become more fully human.

In a world increasingly marked by polarisation, violence, ecological collapse, and isolation, perhaps the greatest practice of a Bodhisattva is not to have all the answers, but to remain open—to listen deeply, to walk humbly with others, and to continue cultivating compassion that becomes action.

The crisis of our world is ultimately a crisis of relationships.

And perhaps the Bodhisattva path begins by restoring them—one conversation, one community, and one act of compassion at a time.

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]]> Reflection from the Greater Mekong Regional Academic Exchange Seminar https://www.inebnetwork.org/reflections-from-the-mekong-exchange/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 03:39:46 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44995 "Some of them have no home to return to." Those quiet words stayed with our team throughout our visit to Kengtung, Shan State, Myanmar.

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“Some of them have no home to return to.” Those quiet words stayed with our team throughout our visit to Kengtung, Shan State, Myanmar.

Behind the gates of one Buddhist nunnery live 153 young nuns from seven different ethnic communities. While each child carries her own story, many share the same reality: displacement. Ongoing conflict has separated families, disrupted education, and left many children without a safe place to call home. For these young nuns, the monastery has become more than a place of learning—it is a refuge, a community, and a source of hope.

It was this reality that brought together partners from across the Greater Mekong Region during the Greater Mekong Regional Academic Exchange Seminar, held in Kengtung from 18–21 July 2026. Organized through the Greater Mekong Regional Education Cooperation Network Project of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya (MCU), Chiang Mai Campus, in collaboration with the Bodhiyalai Foundation, the Foundation for Study & Practice of Buddhism, the Legal Status Network Foundation (LSNF), the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), and local monastic, educational, and health partners, the seminar created a space for dialogue on education, healthcare, Buddhist social engagement, cultural preservation, and cross-border cooperation.

Throughout the exchanges, one message became increasingly clear: protecting children on the move requires more than humanitarian assistance—it requires long-term collaboration across borders. Participants discussed the realities faced by undocumented children, stateless children, unaccompanied minors, and children living in monastic schools, many of whom struggle to access education, healthcare, legal identity, and protection despite the resilience they demonstrate every day.

For INEB, the visit reaffirmed the importance of our Little Buddha: Enhancing Child Protection and Well-being in Buddhist Communities initiative. Buddhist monasteries and learning centers are often among the first places to welcome children displaced by conflict and poverty. By strengthening safeguarding systems, supporting educators and monastic communities, and building partnerships between communities of origin, border areas, and destination communities, we can help ensure that every child is not only sheltered, but also protected, heard, and given the opportunity to thrive.

Sometimes, meaningful collaboration begins with listening to a single sentence. “Some of them have no home to return to.” From that moment, it becomes our shared responsibility to ensure that every child has a safe place to belong.

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]]> International Training to Empower Social and Professional Activities https://www.inebnetwork.org/international-training-to-empower-social-and-professional-activities/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 03:10:48 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44987 On July 23, 2026, INEB's Program Director traveled to Sri Lanka to conduct a training workshop for Buddhist monks and lay practitioners.

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International Training to Empower Social and Professional Activities Based on Compassion, Kindness, and Mindfulness

On July 23, 2026, INEB’s Program Director traveled to Sri Lanka to conduct a training workshop for Buddhist monks and lay practitioners. The training was conceived and organized by Venerable Karavilakotuwe Dhammathilaka Thero, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education, a member of the Sangha for Peace Program, and the Sri Lanka Network of Engaged Buddhists.

This training workshop is designed to cultivate the inner qualities needed for compassionate engagement in both personal and professional life. Drawing from the Theravāda, Zen, and Vajrayāna Buddhist traditions and rooted in the principles of Socially Engaged Buddhism, the workshop follows a coherent pedagogical journey from inner transformation to outer transformation.

The Venerable members of the Sangha, together with the lay practitioners, engaged wholeheartedly in the experiential learning process. Through exercises that encouraged participants to recognize our shared humanity, activities that explored the diverse ways people communicate and respond under stress, and reflections on the moment in which one can pause and consciously choose how to respond to the impulses of greed, hatred, and delusion, all participants embraced the learning journey with openness, curiosity, and kindness.

The workshop also introduced an ecological dishwashing practice using a four-bin system. The venerable monks and lay participants carefully practiced each step, from finishing the food on their plates and removing food scraps before washing to minimizing water use throughout the process. They expressed a clear understanding of how this simple yet meaningful practice could be adapted and implemented in their own temples or workplaces, contributing to environmental sustainability through mindful daily living.

Another key activity invited participants to design a project to support youth in their local communities. This exercise encouraged them to reflect deeply on the needs and challenges facing young people in their respective communities. As each group presented its project, participants learned about the diverse issues affecting different communities while also practicing respect for differing priorities and perspectives. 

The workshop concluded with an introduction to analyzing social issues through the framework of the Four Noble Truths. Although time did not permit a deeper exploration of this practice, participants expressed great interest in continuing their learning.

The INEB Program Director will return to Sri Lanka in December to facilitate Part II of the training workshop, building upon the strong foundation established during this first session.

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]]> Strengthening Asian Solidarity for Peace: Korea–Sri Lanka Exchange Deepens Cooperation among INEB Members https://www.inebnetwork.org/strengthening-asian-solidarity-for-peace/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 02:43:44 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44973 Religious leaders from South Korea and Sri Lanka gathered for a week-long exchange programme focused on peacebuilding, interreligious dialogue and socially engaged Buddhism

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Written by Suchith Abeyewickreme, with references and images from Jungto Society

Colombo, Sri Lanka | 30 June – 5 July 2026

The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) witnessed another important milestone in strengthening regional cooperation as religious leaders from South Korea and Sri Lanka gathered for a week-long exchange programme focused on peacebuilding, interreligious dialogue, and socially engaged Buddhism.

The visit, jointly organized by Dharmashakthi in Sri Lanka, South Korea’s Peace Foundation and Jungto Society, was more than a study visit—it was a continuation of a growing friendship among INEB member organizations committed to building peaceful and compassionate societies.

The exchange followed the visit of a Sri Lankan interreligious delegation to South Korea in 2025, during which religious leaders from Dharmashakthi learned from the work of Jungto Society and the Peace Foundation in promoting reconciliation, peace education, humanitarian action, and dialogue on the Korean Peninsula. The 2026 programme reciprocated that experience, welcoming the Korean delegation to Sri Lanka to learn from local initiatives that have emerged in response to decades of ethnic and religious conflict.

The South Korean delegation brought together senior leaders from several religious traditions who have worked together for many years through the Peace Foundation’s Interfaith Religious Leaders’ Group for National Reconciliation and Peace. Led by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, founder of Jungto Society and Chair of the Peace Foundation, the delegation reflected Korea’s commitment to interreligious cooperation as a foundation for peacebuilding.

Members included Mr. Park Nam-soo, former Head of Cheondogyo and Chair of the Interfaith Religious Leaders’ Group; Rev. Park Jong-hwa, a senior Protestant leader and long-standing advocate for reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula; Rev. Kim Dae-sun, a Won Buddhist minister and Standing Representative of URI Korea; and Fr. Kim Hong-jin, a retired Roman Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Seoul. Together, the delegation represented the Buddhist, Christian, Won Buddhist and Cheondogyo traditions, bringing decades of experience in dialogue, social engagement and national reconciliation

A Journey Through Sri Lanka’s Living Traditions of
Peace

The programme began in Colombo, where the Korean delegation was welcomed by Dharmashakthi and introduced to Sri Lanka’s unique model of interreligious collaboration. Initial conversations explored the evolution of the country’s reconciliation efforts since the end of the civil war and the role that Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian leaders have played in rebuilding trust between communities. Participants also reflected on the common experiences of division shared by Korea and Sri Lanka and the potential for faith communities to become agents of healing rather than polarization. (Buddhistdoor Global)

During a gathering and dialogue to mark the beginning of the pilgrimage, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs shared some words that reflected the aspiration of the pilgrims.

“ Sri Lanka has made great efforts in recent years to develop interfaith relations. Over the past two years, not a single case of religious or ethnic conflict has been reported,” the deputy minister noted. “The government is also continuously working to achieve harmony between religions and ethnic groups. We hope that through such meetings, peace and harmony will continue to expand.”

Travelling to Kandy and Anuradhapura, the delegation met senior most Buddhist leaders including the Mahanayaka Thero of the Malwatu Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya, Atamasthanadhipathi of the 8 Sacred Places in Anuradhapura. They also visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Sacred Bo Tree, where discussions focused on Buddhism’s contribution to social harmony and the responsibilities of religious leadership in times of social change. The exchange provided opportunities for Korean and Sri Lankan Buddhist leaders to compare experiences of engaged Buddhism and explore how traditional religious institutions can respond to contemporary social challenges while remaining rooted in the Dhamma.

In Colombo and Kandy, the delegation met with Muslim religious leaders understanding how interfaith understanding and cooperation is promoted in Sri Lanka including visiti to the Harmony Center established at the Katukelle Jumma Masjid in Kandy.

The delegation also travelled to the Northern Province, where conversations with Hindu religious leaders and local communities focused on post-war recovery, healing and coexistence. These visits offered a deeper understanding of the continuing challenges faced by communities affected by conflict while highlighting inspiring examples of cooperation across ethnic and religious divides. Participants reflected on the importance of acknowledging historical suffering while creating opportunities for dialogue and shared futures.

In Mankulam, the Joint Together Society together with local religious leaders organized distribution of relief items for 300 families affected by conflict and still facing economic and social difficulties.

The delegation engaged with Christian communities including the Cardinal Arch Bishop of Colombo. Director of the Center for Society and Religion, and Secretary General of theNational Christian Council (NCC) in open dialogue on interreligious cooperation, reconciliation and community resilience discussing many issues including justice for the victims of Easter Sunday terror attackes of 2019 and the socio-economic challenges the Malaiyaha Tamil commuinity continues to face.

Rather than formal diplomatic meetings, these encounters emphasized friendship, honest conversation and learning from lived experience. Religious leaders shared examples of collaborative responses to humanitarian crises, community tensions and local development initiatives that have helped strengthen social cohesion across religious boundaries.

Throughout the journey, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim encouraged participants to look beyond institutional dialogue and instead cultivate relationships rooted in mutual respect and practical cooperation. Daily reflections repeatedly emphasized that peace is built through everyday actions, shared meals, listening deeply to one another, and working together in service of communities rather than through declarations alone.

Following the main exchange with Dharmashakthi, the Korean delegation also had engagements with Sarvodaya Movement, one of Sri Lanka’s most influential community development organizations and a long-standing member of INEB and the Walpola Rahula Institute also a INEB member.

Strengthening the INEB Family

For INEB, the visit represented much more than an exchange between two countries. It illustrated the strength of relationships that have developed over decades among member organizations committed to socially engaged Buddhism and interreligious solidarity.

The participation of Jungto Society, Peace Foundation, Dharmashakthi, Sri Lanka Network of Engaged Buddhists (SriNEB) and the INEB Secretariat created a unique platform where Buddhist practitioners, peacebuilders and religious leaders could learn directly from one another while identifying opportunities for future collaboration.

For the Korean delegation, Sri Lanka demonstrated how religious communities can contribute meaningfully to reconciliation following decades of conflict. For Sri Lankan participants, the exchange offered valuable insights from the Peace Foundation’s work on peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula and Jungto Society’s model of integrating Buddhist practice with humanitarian service and social engagement. As both countries continue to navigate complex social challenges, the visit reaffirmed that authentic dialogue grows through friendship, shared learning and collective action.

Looking Ahead

The Korea–Sri Lanka exchange stands as a powerful example of the role that INEB continues to play in connecting Buddhist practitioners and partner organizations across Asia. By creating spaces where members can learn from one another’s experiences and build lasting partnerships, INEB strengthens a regional movement committed to compassion, justice, nonviolence and the wellbeing of all.

The visit concluded not as the end of a programme, but as another step in an ongoing journey of cooperation between Jungto Society, the Peace Foundation, Dharmashakthi, SriNEB and the wider INEB family.

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]]> Niwano Peace Foundation Issues Urgent Statement on Threats against Benki Piyãko https://www.inebnetwork.org/niwano-peace-foundation-issues-urgent-statement-on-threats-against-benki-piyako/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:00:13 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44950 URGENT STATEMENT on Threats, Including Death Threats, Against Mr. Benki Piyãko, Recipient of the 43rd Niwano Peace Prize, and the Apiwtxa Community

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URGENT STATEMENT on Threats, Including Death Threats, Against Mr. Benki Piyãko, Recipient of the 43rd Niwano Peace Prize, and the Apiwtxa Community
 
DECLARAÇÃO URGENTE SOBRE as Ameaças, Incluindo Ameaças de Morte, contra Benki Piyãko, Laureado com o 43º Prêmio Niwano da Paz, e a Comunidade Apiwtxa
 
緊急声明：第43回庭野平和賞受賞者 ベンキ・ピヤコ師とその共同体への殺害予告の脅迫の現状に対して
 

After returning to Brazil, Mr. Benki Piyãko, recipient of the 43rd Niwano Peace Prize, together with his family, his brothers, and the Asháninka people of the Apiwtxa community, has been subjected to serious threats, including death threats, from criminal organizations involved in illegal logging and drug trafficking. Today, every member of the community—including adults and children—is living in fear and insecurity

In response, the Niwano Peace Foundation issued an official statement to bring this grave situation to wider public attention and help deter any acts of violence. Mr. Piyãko and other Asháninka leaders have also met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the statement has been presented to the Office of the President as an official expression of concern from a Japanese organization.

We hope that people throughout the world will learn about the situation facing Mr. Piyãko and the Apiwtxa community and will share this statement widely. Through such collective attention, we sincerely hope that their safety and peace will be restored and that those responsible for these threats will choose the path of conscience.

Original article Click Here

Download the statement (PDF) in English, Português and 日本語 below

URGENT STATEMENT (EN)
URGENT STATEMENT (PT)
URGENT STATEMENT (JP)

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]]> The 22nd Biennial INEB Conference https://www.inebnetwork.org/the-22nd-biennial-ineb-conference/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:20:03 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44893 The 22nd Biennial Conference of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), themed “Wisdom and Compassion for Inclusive and Sustainable Societies through Education,” explores how Buddhist wisdom and compassionate engagement can help address these challenges.

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 The 22nd Biennial INEB Conference

Wisdom and Compassion
Inclusive and Sustainable Societies through Education

Xiang Guang Shan Temple, Daxi, Taoyuan, Taiwan
13–17 January 2027

Conference Theme

The twenty-first century is a time of unprecedented transformation — technological acceleration, climate change, migration, aging populations, and widening inequality are reshaping societies faster than our institutions can adapt. Technological change in particular is reshaping how we relate to ourselves and to one another, and it cannot advance responsibly without a parallel cultivation of wisdom — insight into the interrelationship of all beings, compassion, and open-mindedness.

The 22nd Biennial Conference of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), themed “Wisdom and Compassion for Inclusive and Sustainable Societies through Education,” explores how Buddhist wisdom and compassionate engagement can help address these challenges.

Hosted by Xiang Guang Shan Temple, the principal temple of the Luminary International Buddhist Society (LIBS), the gathering unites monastics, educators, and social activists to transform insight and compassion into action — advancing education that cultivates ethical leadership, strengthens social responsibility, and contributes to more sustainable and inclusive communities worldwide.

Education and Pedagogy

Buddhist tradition offers distinct pedagogical resources for contemporary learning: mental cultivation (bhāvanā), which cultivates insight alongside knowledge and skills; spiritual friendship (kalyāṇamitra), a peer-support model of dialogue and mutual accountability; and the principle of interdependence as a conceptual foundation for teaching ecological consciousness and social inclusion. The conference will explore how these resources can inform curricula, pedagogies, and training across monastic, community, and formal educational settings.

Goal and Objectives

Goal: To awaken participants to the Buddha’s teachings as a living resource for personal and social transformation, through reflection and action.

  • Deepen understanding of inclusive, sustainable societies and develop new programs in environmental resilience, pluralism, gender equality, and youth empowerment.

  • Strengthen education for change through curricula, pedagogies, and training grounded in contemplative practice, peer support, and interdependence.

  • Promote inter-faith dialogue and collaboration on shared concerns.

  • Celebrate the spirit of kalyanamitra through reflection and collective learning.

Download PDF
Registration Link

Schedule

DateProgramme
Tuesday, 12 JanuaryEco Temple Network Meeting (By invitation)
Wednesday–Thursday, 13–14 January2-day Retreat based on traditional Chinese Monastic Practices integrated with Satipaṭṭhāna and Ten Paramis led by Luminary Xiang Guang Temple Bhikkhunis.• Chanting for Peace (Heart Sutra and Morning Bell Verse)• Satipaṭṭhāna Practices and its applications in daily life• Practicing Ten Paramis
Friday, 15 JanuaryStudy Tours Group 1: Aging Society: Holistic Well-Being for the Elder and Hospice Group 2: Children Education and ecological sustainability Group 3: Huafan University: Six Art Skills and Tea Garden Group 4: Migrant Workers and Social Development
Saturday, 16 JanuaryMorning Section• Group Reflection and Sharing from the Study Tours• Embodied Experiences through arts and hands-onAfternoon Section• Breakout Group Discussions (Thematic Working Group)
Sunday, 17 JanuaryPublic SymposiumWisdom and Compassion: Inclusive and Sustainable Societies through Education
Monday–Tuesday, 18–19 JanuaryJoint INEB AC/EC Meeting (by invitation)

 

Venue landmark

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]]> Inter-Ethnic Relations Forum https://www.inebnetwork.org/inter-ethnic-relations-forum/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:49:24 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44867 Join us for a forum discussion:
"Historical Cultural Influences on Inter-Ethnic Relations in Southeast Asia Today"

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Southeast Asia has been the meeting point of Buddhists and Muslims for centuries, trade routes, empires, and everyday neighbours weaving faiths together long before the modern map existed.
 
So why is that shared history so often pulled apart today in the name of nationalism? And what does the region’s long record of coexistence teach the rest of the world?
 
Join us for a forum discussion:
“Historical Cultural Influences on Inter-Ethnic Relations in Southeast Asia Today”
 
🗓 Saturday, 18 July 2026
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 International Movement for JUST, Petaling Jaya — or join us online
 
Whether you study the region, debate it over coffee, or simply want to understand the place you live in, you’re welcome to join us, in person or from wherever you are.
 

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]]> INEB Annual Report 2025 https://www.inebnetwork.org/ineb-annual-report-2025/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:33:16 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44842 The year 2025 was marked by profound challenges. Armed conflicts continued to devastate communities, environmental crises intensified, and growing polarization, discrimination, and shrinking financial support placed additional strain on civil society organizations around the world.

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Executive Summary

The year 2025 was marked by profound challenges. Armed conflicts continued to devastate communities, environmental crises intensified, and growing polarization, discrimination, and shrinking financial support placed additional strain on civil society organizations around the world. Yet amid these hardships, we also witnessed extraordinary resilience, compassion, and solidarity. Communities continued to care for one another, demonstrating that generosity transcends borders.

INEB remains deeply grateful to stand alongside our kalyāṇamittas during these difficult times. Together, we have continued to alleviate suffering, strengthen communities, and nurture hope through collective action rooted in compassion, interdependence, and mutual trust.

One of the defining moments of the year was the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar in March 2025. Drawing on long-standing relationships with partners inside and outside Myanmar, INEB responded immediately by supporting locally led relief efforts. This response was made possible through the generosity of organizations including Jungto Society and JTS in South Korea, Secours Populaire Français, Religions for Peace Japan, and thousands of individual donors whose trust enabled assistance to reach affected communities with transparency, integrity, and solidarity.

Despite increasingly limited funding, INEB’s programs continued to make meaningful contributions. The Child Protection and Well-being Program marked a significant milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among INEB, UNICEF Thailand, Mahidol University, and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University to strengthen child safeguarding in religious institutions. Our Eco-Temple Network expanded regional collaboration on climate action, while the School of English for Engaged Social Service (SENS) continued to nurture emerging leaders and support teacher training along the Thai-Myanmar border.

The Young Bodhisattva Program continued to inspire youth from around the world to connect Buddhist values with social transformation, while the Sombath Somphone Memorial Fund expanded support for community-led initiatives across the Mekong sub-region. The Buddhist Counseling and Chaplaincy Program also grew steadily, offering training and workshops throughout South and Southeast Asia.

Throughout the year, the INEB Secretariat strengthened collaboration with international networks and expanded its engagement with global platforms, including the Faith to Action Network, the Global Network of Religions for Children, and the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD). Meanwhile, our work in peacebuilding, reconciliation, women’s empowerment, support for female religious leaders, and interfaith dialogue continued through the dedication of our partners and volunteers despite significant funding constraints.

Looking back, 2025 was a year of immense challenges, but also one of remarkable courage, partnership, and perseverance. It reaffirmed that lasting social transformation is sustained not by abundant resources alone, but by trust, compassion, and the unwavering commitment of people working together for the welfare and happiness of all.

Please view the report using the flipbook below, or download a PDF file

Download INEB Report 2025

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]]> Building Collaboration for Child Protection in Buddhist Communities https://www.inebnetwork.org/building-collaboration-for-child-protection-in-buddhist-communities/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 07:33:47 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44770 MCU and UNICEF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop child protection curricula and strengthen the capacity of educators responsible for the care of children.

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30th June 2026

INEB joined discussions with Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) to explore ways to strengthen collaboration and promote child protection within Buddhist communities.

The discussion focused on supporting the “พื้นที่แห่งเมตตา” (A Space of Compassion) guidelines through endorsement, wider dissemination among monastic networks and relevant mechanisms, co-hosting the official launch, and supporting the training of a core group of monks to carry this work forward.

Through collective efforts, we continue to nurture compassionate, safe, and inclusive spaces where children are protected and their dignity is respected.

Learn more about INEB’s Child Protection Work

Photo by MCU
Photo by INEB
Photo by INEB

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]]> Universal Doctrine of Achariya Atisha Dipankar Srigyan on Human Excellence and World Peace https://www.inebnetwork.org/universal-doctrine-of-achariya-atisha-dipankar-srigyan/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:41:46 +0000 https://www.inebnetwork.org/?p=44718 Universal Doctrine of Achariya Atisha Dipankar Srigyan on Human Excellence and World Peace

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ADPT Bangladesh [Atisha Dipankar Peace Trust Bangladesh] organised a seminar on great master Atisha Dipankar’s universal doctrine on ‘Human Excellence and Global Peace’ was held on May16, Sunday in Chattogram, Bangladesh. It was aimed at cultivating Atisha’s philosophical thoughts and efforts on developing human excellence through his visionary teachings on wisdom and compassion to build an ethical and value based society that would enlighten the human spirit following his legacy as a global messenger of loving-kindness and peace. 

 

Key note speaker of the seminar- Ven Karunananda Thero, Abbot at Atisha Dipankar Memorial Complex and Relics Stupa, Bikrampur, Munshiganj, Dhaka presented a paper about the historical Buddhist Pala dynasty and Achariya Atisha Dipankar Srigyan (982-1054 AD) on his scholarly wisdom and vast insightful Buddhist philosophy those were preached over the Bengal region to east Asia countries.

Ven KarunandaThero added that  the Great master Atisha was the last most saint scholar and humanitarian Buddhist monk in the Bengal Buddhist era, especially revered for spreading Buddhism in Tibet and his contributions on Buddhist philosophy, traditional values,ethics, humility, and monastic discipline are highlighted in Buddhist golden history. He is often called the “ Thrice Great ” because he mastered the teachings of multiple enlightened mentors, merging profound emptiness with active, universal compassion. Other speakers were Professor Dr. Dipankar Srigyan Barua, Principal Shimul Barua, Professor Dr. Ujjwal Kumar Dev, Dr. Priyadharshi Mahathero, Ven Bodhimitra Thero, Adv Nitai Prashad Ghosh, Adv Mir Md. Ferdous Alam Salim. The speakers called upon cultivating the great master Atisha’s philosophical thoughts and efforts, also embracing local intellectuals contributing to enlighten human society, sustainable social change, promoting peace and humanity.

 

The session was presided by ADPT Bangladesh chair and trustee Professor Tushar Kanti Barua and conducted by its general secretary and managing trustee Sanat Kumar Barua. A number of 65 participants from different parts of Bangladesh participated in the seminar. The seminar was ended with thanks and gratitude by Vice chair and trustee Dr. Dibakar Barua.

– By Sanat Kumar Barua, Managing Trustee & General Secretary, ADPT Bangladesh www.adpt-bd.org

 

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