For access to an extensive website detailing teaching groups, academics, reading materials and other websites, have a look here at this extensive resource put together in conjunction with the Zen Peacemakers and here for a link to a newsletter, Bearing Witness which they have started to produce.

Click here for an account of NEB member, Brigid Avison’s journey to Copenhagen.

We mourn the death of a dear member of the NEB  Sangha -  Sheila Schaffer who recently died aged 82.  Sheila was an important contributor to the Network in her role as treasurer for several years and her consistent and loyal presence and support.

Sheila’s life was one of service and action, from her teenage membership of the Young Communists to her role as Labour elected member and, eventually, Mayor for Brighton , and member of the Network of Engaged Buddhists. She was eclectic in her practice and would not be “pigeon holed” although she mostly sat with a Zen group .  Sheila never relinquished her engagement with the world. In retirement she was even more active in pursuing her desire for a more compassionate and just world. Her involvement ranged from the organisational, to demonstrations, from the local to the global. She revived the B&H United Nations Association, and ran the B&H Pensioners Forum.  She was often there with us representing NEB in many events and demonstrations.  Her energy and zest for life continued almost to the last and she was member of her local cycling club and a player in the Silver Sounds Samba band . We salute her.

An online survey ran between 9th and 24th November 2009 which aimed to find out more about UK Buddhists’ interest in and knowledge about Buddhist-inspired and Buddhist-led development work and social action in Asia; also to find out how Buddhists understood the relationship between personal and social transformation.

Ultimately, we wanted to find out if there was interest in a project the Karuna Trust www.karuna.org and the Clear Vision Trust www.clear-vision.org were planning to propose to the Department for International Development (DFID) which has funded Karuna before, for its work in India.

295 people contributed and the figures for each question are shown in the summary. 77% of the contributors were part of the FWBO because of the nature of the project and the organisations circulating the information. (Karuna and Clear Vision are FWBO projects.)

The overall summary is here.

The main comments have been divided into three parts for ease of reading and comparison.

When asked “Personal and social transformation are indivisible.” Do you agree?

116 said Yes. You can read their comments here.

45 said Sort of. You can read their comments here.

12 said No.  You can read their comments here.

The outcome of this process is that a project application has been submitted to the Department for International Development for £273,186 by Karuna in partnership with Clear Vision. The plan is to focus on selected examples of socially-engaged Buddhist projects in the global South and demonstrating their relation to the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).  The result of the application will be announced probably in March 2010.

The project will set up ten groups across the UK of Buddhists from various traditions including several within FWBO centres. Original study materials on will be created including video footage of projects in the global South. This will be accessed on an online learning hub. There will also be exchange and networking spaces such as inter-group meetings, retreats, conferences and a web hub.

We would like to thank all those who contributed to the survey. We were impressed with the responses, both in the thought given to them and the number completed in such a short time. The information will have value beyond this project as we think it’s the biggest survey ever completed on Engaged Buddhism and certainly the most current.

Quakers and Buddhists explore the spiritual dimension of social action

Click on image to the left to see brochure. Click on it again to see in full size.

An application form can be downloaded here.

This participatory learning process looks at how the teachings of Quakers and Buddhists help to sustain energy and inspiration for social action.

Places are open to those engaged in helping, caring, campaigning and community organizing on a paid or unpaid basis.

We will be focusing on:

• the spiritual basis of compassionate action in both traditions

• an exploration of hope and despair

• emotional awareness

• ways to focus, quieten and rest the mind

• building confidence and strength in our capacity to act

The process includes:

• A residential weekend retreat Friday 12 – Sunday 14 February 2010 Braziers Park, Ipsden, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

• A day retreat  Saturday 13 March 2010 Charlbury Friends Meeting House, Oxfordshire

Between these dates, participants will be taking part in a “retreat in their daily life” where they will commit to reflection, new or renewed practices, journaling and support for at least one other person.

There will also be:

• an online learning and sharing space

• mentoring from course leaders

Participants will be asked to commit to the whole process.

For 12 people living in Oxfordshire, practising with Quakers or Buddhists, there are fully funded places. There are 8 other places which cost £200 open to anyone in the UK.

Course leaders:

Maitrisara is secretary of the Network of Engaged Buddhists, a group who explore the connection between the transformation of self and world. Alex Wildwood is a Quaker who embraces Buddhist insights in his ecological activism.

Information
Food will be vegetarian
Public transport Travel by train to Reading and then regular bus service to a point ½ mile from Braziers.
Accommodation In twin rooms with a few singles for those that really need them..
To book Places will be allocated according to date of application. An application form can be downloaded here.
Further information contact

A project of the Network of Engaged Buddhists funded by Faith in Action