The INEB “Young Bodhisattva” Program

International Buddhist Leadership Training for Spiritual Resurgence and Social Innovation

13 June – 24 July 2007 Bangkok , Thailand

Rationale:

With the prevailing global problem of poverty and accompanied social sufferings such as ecological devastation, human rights violation, cultural crisis, consumerist, unethical and idle lifestyle, discrimination of all kinds etc., now humankind is right at the point that we need to make our world a livable, just, peaceful and sustainable place.

As an important start, young people are a key. They should be aware of their ability to develop themselves and contribute to community/society they can live dignified life. Their role in social responsibility should be encouraged and equipped with holistic intellectual knowledge, sound spiritual foundation, creativity and compassionate action.

The program, as the young Buddhist capacity building program for INEB members, is therefore developed so as to promote leadership for spiritual resurgence as well as social innovation among your people of the Buddhist communities in Asia .

Participant qualification:

• Buddhists from any traditions
• Female or male, Ordained or laity
• Good command of English
• Age between 20 – 35
• From South or Southeast Asian countries
• With serious interest in radically improving life as well as contributing extensively to society.
• Those who are new to social activism, and not necessarily from INEB member organizations are also welcome to apply

Objectives:

• For the participants to realize that the aim of life is to cultivate the inner positive potential of each individual so that he or she can live a better life in service of all beings.
• For the participants to master the basic skilful means for the cultivation of the positive inner potential of generosity, compassion, cooperation, wisdom, calmness and self-restraint in harming oneself and others.
• For the participants to understand the structure of violence in society at all levels from village to global community.
• Expose participants to various ways of working for the betterment of society and ecology and discuss about possible means they can adopt and/or invent for positive change in their own society. This includes the discussion of lessons learned from people of other faiths who are working in the same direction.
• For participants to cultivate attitudes of inclusiveness and open-mindedness and the skill of dialogue.

Expected outcomes:

• The participants develop their critical thinking and critical self-awareness.
• The participants gain self-confidence and self-respect.
• The participants have awareness of their own individual problems as well as the problems in society.
• The participants will be inspire and have the skilful means to cultivate inner transformation as well as working with compassion and wisdom for the betterment of those who suffer in society and nature.
• The participants must be open-minded to people of other faiths and belief systems with the skill to dialogue.

Content covered:

Globalization and social analysis, Buddhist perspectives on economics, education, civil society, gender justice, interfaith cooperation, peace and conflict resolution, ecology issues, exposure visits, socially engaged Buddhist principle, meditation and personal development, and practical skills for social activists.

Application details:

Application form: as per attached

Application period: now until 1 st May 2007

Acceptance: The accepted participants will be announced by 7 th May 2007

Scholarship: Those who are accepted are provided scholarship of tuition fee, meals and accommodation and exposure visit expenses, plus a small grant for international economical traveling expense (not includes passport fee and local transportation)

Contact:

Ms. Lapapan Supamanta

Executive Secretary

International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)

666 Charoen Nakorn Road . Klong San, Bangkok 10600 , Siam ( Thailand )

Tel: 66 2 860 2194 Mobile Tel: 66 9 150 8084, Fax 66 2 860 1277

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.semsikkha.org (Thai) www.inebnetwork.org, (English)

Tentative Program
Download Application Form

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