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Welcome to the International Network of Engaged Buddhists? (INEB) website for our Biannual Conference! This year the conference is being held from 26 ? 29 October, 2011, in Bodhgaya, India, where Buddhists from many countries, cultures and traditions will gather to explore the future of Buddhism. Several activities are being scheduled before and after the conference, so make your travel plans accordingly. The conference website includes: the conference poster, an overview, the daily schedule, presenter profiles, logistics information (hotels and transportation), and the registration and payment process. You can download the registration form here:
New information is being added to the website all the time, so please visit it often. Also, feel free to e-mail INEB at conference@13.229.239.55. We look forward to seeing you in Bodhgaya! |
INEB is accepting conference registrations after the 31 August deadline.
Please send your completed registration form as soon as possible.
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Many people are confronting our rapidly globalizing interconnected world by retreating back into parochial nationalisms, ideologies of ethnic superiority, and religious fundamentalism. Many Buddhists have been part of such political campaigns that have killed thousands and forced millions into domestic and international exile. Yet, at the same time, an unprecedented number of people are crossing national, ethnic, and religious barriers through internet and other technologies to interact, learn, and rejoice in our diversity.
What is Buddhism’s role in this movement? What is the future of Buddhism, or rather, is there a future for Buddhism? Come join us at the bi-annual conference of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) at the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment to re-awaken and re-vitalize our Buddhist commitment to work for the welfare of all sentient beings!
The conference will include a variety of events:
- ? spiritual: morning programmes of meditation, chanting, and Dharma talks
- ? intellectual: roundtable talks on pressing social issues
- ? relational: generational sharing among socially engaged religious leaders
- ? practical: workshops on social action skills
- ? informational: an open fair of Buddhist activist groups and their activities
- ?celebrational: film, art, and cultural performance
A variety of specialized pre and post-conference programmes for youth, women, artists, mediators, and pilgrims will also take place.
Main Conference Programme
Objectives
- ? Promote dialog and exchange on social issues of common concern among Buddhists from all traditions and regions, as well as socially concerned non-Buddhists
- ? Develop programmes and activities among participants and existing INEB working groups for the next two year period
- ? Communicate INEB working group and regional network activities to the broader community
- ? Engage active new members to expand and strengthen the network
- ? Celebrate the spirit of kalyanamitra and the efforts of the previous two year
Morning Programmes at Maha Bodhi
In the morning, participants will walk to the Maha Bodhi for a morning programme of meditation, chanting, prayers, and Dharma talks. They will include spiritual practices from all traditions to which representatives from local Bodhgaya temples and organizations will be invited.
Generational Sharing
Generational Sharing will take place in morning plenary sessions on Day 1 and 3 and will provide an opportunity for senior leaders with a history of active social engagement to share their experiences and challenges to inspire young leaders. Rather than giving a formal speech on an issue, the presenters will informally share their personal history beginning in their youth and how they started on their current path. They will explain the challenges they have faced and the strategies they have used to overcome them. Special emphasis will be given to the balance between spiritual practice and social action. A question and answer session will follow the plenary sessions.
Roundtable Discussions
Morning roundtable discussions will be organized on Day 2 and Day 4 to stimulate in-depth and critical dialog on social issues of common concern to all Buddhist traditions. The session will use a ?fishbowl? format. Eight to twelve key resource people with informed views on the selected topic will share their perspectives. The conference participants will be seated around them as observers. The roundtable presenters will include lay and ordained men and women from different Buddhist contexts with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. For the first 2 hours, the roundtable participants will have an in-depth facilitated dialog on the proposed themes. For the final 1 hour, general participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share views, and engage in the dialog.
Day 2 Roundtable: Dharma for the Future
Themes include:
- ? Relevance of the Dharma in modern society
- Opportunities and challenges in different countries and cultural contexts (e.g. declining, stagnating, reviving, spreading)
- ? Dharmaduta and Buddhist education
- ? Impact of new information and communication technology
- ? Buddhism in popular culture
Day 4: Sangha for the Future
Themes include
- ? Meaning of Sangha
- ? Lay-monastic relations in modern society
- ? Vinaya in modern society
- ? Dana and materialism
- ? Dana and Buddhist institutions
Learning for the Future
Afternoon sessions will provide an opportunity for active learning and exchange. These sessions will range from hands-on workshops and training programmes to experience-sharing sessions organized by key resource people, for example:
- ? Challenges of sangha
- ? Non-violent communication skills
- ? Mediation, conflict transformation and peacebuilding
- ? Right Livelihood
- ? Using new media
- ? Dharmic education for children
- ? Buddhist economics
- ? Organic agriculture and green marketing
- ? Death and dying
- ? Buddhism and climate change
At least 20 sessions are planned: 10 will be conducted on Day 1 and Day 3, and 10 will be conducted on Day 2 and Day 4. Participants will have the opportunity to choose sessions according to their interests and experience.
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Evening Programmes
INEB Fair (Day 1)
The INEB Fair will provide an opportunity for INEB members and conference participants to share their work experiences, exchange ideas, and attract new members to existing thematic working groups. ?Stalls? or tables will be arranged for people to share posters, videos, photos, publications, food, etc. Musical entertainment will also be provided. Participants will be free to walk around the grounds, learn about programmes in different regions, exchange ideas, and socialize.
Buddhist Film Festival and Art Exhibition (Day 2)
Short films, documentaries and feature films on Buddhist themes will be shown at multiple screening areas around the main conference venue.
Cultural Performances (Day 1)
Local and international performing artists will perform for conference participants and local guests.
Maha Bodhi Candlelight Procession and Dedication (Day 4)
The conference will close with a candle procession to the Maha Bodhi and a dedication of merit.
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Community Involvement
Youth Volunteers
Conference logistics will be managed by Indian youth from the Bodhgaya region. They will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-conference workshop and training programme with youth from INEB?s international network.
Mornings Maha Bodhi Programmes
Morning meditation, chanting, and Dharma talks will be organized with Bodhgaya temples and religious groups to ensure participation and promote inter-communal exchange.
INEB Fair, Buddhist Art and Film Festival, Cultural Performance
Local people and organizations will be invited to participate in the evening sessions at the conference venue. Local artists will have an opportunity to perform and share their work.
Study Visits
On 30 October, the day after the conference, study tours will be organized to visit service projects by local organizations.
Shramadana
Sharmadana means giving time, energy, and skills for the benefit of others. The conference organizers will work with local service organization to plan a shramadana opportunity (e.g. environmental cleanup) for conference participants.
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Affiliated Events (before and after the main conference)
International Youth Volunteer Workshop (October 20 – 24, 2011) by invitation only
Young leaders from INEB?s international network with join local Indian volunteers for a 5-day workshop and training programme in Bodhgaya before the conference.
International Buddhist Art Gathering (October 19 – 25, 2011) by invitation only
A workshop with Buddhist artists will be held in Bodhgaya before the conference. Their work will be exhibited in Bodhgaya during the main conference. Exhibitions are also being organized in New Delhi, Colombo, Bangkok and Tokyo.
INEB Advisory Committee and Executive Committee Meeting (October 30, 2011)
The annual INEB AC/EC meeting will be held after the conference. (by invitation only)
Lay Buddhist Retreat / Pilgrimage to Buddhist Sites*
Buddhist retreats and pilgrimages will be organized as optional post-conference events.
Persons interested in individual and group pilgrimages please contact :
Dharmachari Manidhamma at Leela Excursions
B-201 Greencity Co-Operative Housing Society,
Aakar Nagar, Katol Road, Nagpur-440013, (Maharashtra State) INDIA
Tel/Mob: +91 93721 66164 or email dhammayatra@gmail.com Website: http://www.dhammayatra.in
Conference Participants & Dana
An estimated 250 ? 300 people are expected to attend the conference. Special attention will be given to ensure strong youth participation in all conference activities. INEB focuses on bringing participants from regions that are in crisis and who need support. Therefore, your donation (dana) will be gratefully received to help others. Support for such needy participants to attend will enrich your entire conference experience!
Conference fees
Fees include the programme in its entirety: registration fee and food.
$US 80 payable by participants with low income or countries from the South
$US120 payable by participants with medium income or developing countries
$US180 payable by participants with high income or countries from the North
Download Registration Form, PDF file or DOC file
Registration forms for speakers and resource persons are different from the one for general participants. The form is being sent directly after their participation is confirmed.
*For further details on accommodation packages are available under Logistics on this website.
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For more information, please contact:
INEB Secretariat Office
666 Charoen Nakorn Road, Banglumphu Lang, Klongsan, Bangkok 10600 Siam (Thailand)
Tel. (+66 2) 438 9331/2
Fax (+66 2) 860 1278
Email: conference@13.229.239.55
Website: www.inebnetwork.org
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Conference Organizers
International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)
The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) brings together activists, spiritual leaders, academics, and young people from more than 20 countries in Asia, Europe, America, and Australia, in areas of common concern: to integrate the practice of Buddhism with social action for a healthy, just, and peaceful world. INEB is rooted in the treasure of personal relationship that raises the original spirit of sangha in a contemporary, multi- cultural context. INEB aims to promote understanding and cooperation among Buddhists; to articulate the perspective of engaged Buddhism and train Buddhist activists; to serve as a network of information and resources on engaged Buddhism; and to cooperate and collaborate with activists from other spiritual traditions and social change organizations.
INEB?s Key Areas of Concern and Engagement:
- ? Peace and reconciliation
- ? Environment
- ? Gender
- ? Alternative education
- ? Human rights and social justice
- ? Alternative development and economics
- ? Reform and revival of Buddhist institutions
- ? Youth and spiritual leadership development
- ? Dharmic Arts and Culture
- ? Interfaith dialogue and collaboration
Deer Park Institute
Deer Park Institute is a project under Siddhartha?s Intent Society (SI), a registered educational society that was formed in March 2006 by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche with a distinguished board and advisory board. SI India?s core vision is to restore the non-sectarian spirit of the great university of Nalanda to its country of origin, preserving and propagating India?s profound classical wisdom traditions for the benefit of all who live here, as well as the many who come from all over the world pursuing an inner quest. http://www.deerpark.in/
Youth Buddhist Society [YBS] is a volunteer, non-governmental, non-sectarian, non-profit, non-political people’s development movement based on engaged Buddhism established in 1986 in Sankisa, Uttar Pradesh, India. By act of Indian constitution YBS was formally incorporated in 1994 as Youth Buddhist Society Development Committee of India.
YBS has brought about grassroots initiative, involvement and development of mind among thousand of villagers and human race in India. http://www.ybsindia.org/
Jambudvipa is a charitable trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act of Charity Regd no. E-2859 (Pune). The founder and president is Dhammachari Lokamitra. www.jambudvipa.org.
Its aims are:
- ? to encourage individuals and groups from disadvantaged and oppressed backgrounds to develop confident and sustainable approaches to social work based on local initiatives and responsibility
- ? to investigate the needs of oppressed groups in times of calamities such as earthquakes and establish a national network of people who can respond at such times
- ? to encourage the communication of Buddhist teachings in a manner that transcends social barriers and promotes harmony
- ? to explore and cultivate the relationship between individual ethical and spiritual practice on the one hand and social transformation on the other