Program information and Registration Form The 20th Anniversary of INEB ENGAGED BUDDHIST FESTIVAL OF PEACE AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION
10 – 17 November 2009 International Meditation Center & Suan Dok Temple of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya Buddhist University Chiangmai, Thailand 1. GENERAL CONTEXT 20 years ago in 1989 when INEB was formed by a small network of Dharma practitioners and activists, the Dalai Lama was about to enter the world stage by winning the Nobel Peace Prize. A few years later, Aung San Suu Kyi with her Buddhist background and practice would also win the Nobel Prize. Still at this time, socially engaged Buddhism was very little known or understood. While the roots of socially engaged Buddhism may be found in the teachings and actions of the Buddha himself and other great teachers of the ancient past, socially engaged Buddhism can be understood principally as a movement that began in the late 19th century as a response to western colonialism in Asia. While it may be best known through its “political” movements, such as the struggles by Tibetan, Burmese, and Vietnamese Buddhists for political self-determination, democracy and peace, socially engaged Buddhism has flowered over the last 30 years to encompass a vast range of issues, such as environment, gender, development, death and dying, alternative education, and so on. Entering the new millennium, socially engaged Buddhists perhaps do not have to struggle so much to validate their viewpoints and make themselves understood on a basic level. Rather the task ahead lies in further cultivating and maturizing the work that has been done. It is not sufficient to simply state that one is an engaged Buddhist because one is involved with society and happens to be Buddhist as well. Socially engaged Buddhists must challenge themselves to further envision and articulate (and put into action) more mature models of Buddhist engagement. This means taking on the most difficult issues of our time, using our best insight into the Buddha Dharma to develop creative responses to them, and above all, engaging with non-Buddhists in the spirit of loving kindness, compassion, and non-harming. At the 20th anniversary INEB Conference, we will reflect on, critique, and celebrate the work of the last 20 years, work to articulate a vision for the next 20, and strategize affirmative action for today. We invite you to come join us in a weeklong series of events: a meditation and community building retreat, socially engaged Buddhist seminars, network and strategy meetings on countries and issues of concern, cultural activities, a peace walk, and a day of public workshops and events. Come learn about the past, celebrate the present, and create the future!! 2. PROGRAM ACTIVITES Meditation and Community Building Retreat (10 –12 November 2009) This is a session for reaffirm our commitment as socially engaged Buddhists. The retreat is for INEB executive members, as well as key and general members of INEB to practice meditation, share in some ritual, chanting and study, and build our inter-personal relationships through intimate discussion. It will also be a time to contemplate INEB’s impact on self and social transformation and improvements for greater impact.
1
The INEB Conference: Engaged Buddhism: Past, Present, and Future towards a Turning Point in Buddhist Identity and Community (13-15 November 2009) This conference will provide the chance for engaged Buddhists to evaluate our contributions to social transformation, to identify key global challenges that are facing us in the near future, and to make the strategic plans to translate Buddhist teachings into action, from community level to regional level and to the national and global level. Baai Sri and Cultural Night (15 November 2009, evening) The Baai Sri ritual is a traditional Thai ritual for longevity and blessing the people. This part is the adaptation of the old ritual to commemorate Engaged Buddhists who have devoted their efforts for peace and social change, as well as to provide moral courage to the present and the younger generations of engaged Buddhists. International Alms Round (16 November 2009, morning) In the Buddhist tradition, monks and nuns go out in the street in the early morning for collecting their daily. This activity is not only for the monks and nuns to receive daily food and for the householders to make merit. Alms round is also for cultivating generosity and sharing through human relationship. In this international alms round, the monks and nuns will go out to receive dry food and medicine so that they can redistribute it to people in difficulty, experiencing war and conflict, natural disasters, and living in refugee camps in Thailand and in neighboring countries. Walking Tour of “Ancient Temples and Ancient Trees in Chiangmai” (16 November 2009, day) The walking tour aims for the international guests to understand local efforts to preserve nature and culture in the increasingly urbanized Chiangmai downtown Public Lectures (16 November 2009, evening) Renowned and senior engaged Buddhist leaders will be invited to deliver public lectures on pressing social issues. Seminars on Socially Engaged Buddhism (17 November 2009, morning) The seminars aim to present to the public engaged Buddhist social analysis and alternative proposals on various issues such as Dhamma and ecology, the role of Buddhist monks in politics, Buddhist struggles for democratization, Buddhist economics, the Buddhist approach toward human rights and human dignity, etc. The Platform of Sangha for Peace and Transformation (17 November 2009, evening) The platform offers for many Buddhist groups to demonstrate their experiences in social engagement with Buddhist foundation in various forms. Chanting of Maha Santi Gatha and Peace Walk (17 November 2009, evening) In the ancient Chiangmai kingdom, whenever the kingdom experienced great crisis, the monk leaders would lead the monks from the whole kingdom to perform the chanting of Maha Santi Gatha. The chanting was written by a Chiangmai great master in the past, and spread to neighboring kingdom of Burma. This is a very sacred and grand ceremony that has not been performed for over two decades. The chanting will unite the people in Chiangmai and encourage them to overcome the political and economic suffering at this moment together. After chanting, the participants are invited to join peace walk within Chiangmai downtown to campaign against violence and oppression in order to send message of peace to the public.
2
4. TIME AND PLACE The activities will take places in two main venues in Chiangmai:
International Meditation Center of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (outside Chiangmai city) Suan Dok Temple and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (campus at Suan Dok Temple inside Chiang Mai city) Time Activity Retreat INEB Conference on strategic planning Baai Sri Ritual and Culture night International Alms Round Visit Community and Walking tour Public Lecture Public seminar The Platform of Sangha for Peace and Transformation Chanting of Maha Santi Gatha and Peace Walk Venue Meditation center Meditation center Suan Dok Temple Street in Chiangmai city Street in Chiangmai city Suan Dok Temple Suan Dok Temple Bhuddha Satarn Bhuddha Satarn and Chiangmai downtown
10-12 Nov 2009 13-15 Nov 2009 15 Nov 2009, evening 16 Nov 2009, morning 16 Nov 2009 16 Nov 2009, evening 17 Nov 2009, morning 17 Nov 2009, afternoon 17 Nov 2009, evening
5. TARGETED PARTICIPANTS AND PARTNERS The participants will include the INEB executives and senior members, INEB alumni, local and international social activists, local and international guest speakers and resource persons, socially active artists and the general public. 6. REGISTRATION Those who are interested to join the conference can find out information about registration fees in the attached document. Registration opens from now until 15 October 2009. Please send the form to E-mail: inebconference2009@yahoo.com 7. CONTACT PERSON Ms. Lapapan Supamanta Executive Secretary International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) 666 Charoen Nakorn Rd., Banglmphu Lang, Klongsan, Bangkok 10600, THAILAND Tel: 662 860 2194, 6689 150 8084.Fax 662 860 1277 E-mail: inebconference2009@yahoo.com, ineboffice@yahoo.com Website: www.inebnetwork.org
3
Registration Form The 20th Anniversary of INEB ENGAGED BUDDHIST FESTIVAL OF PEACE AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION
The Registration form must be returned to inebconference2009@yahoo.com, before 15 October 2009. PART I: Information Requirement A. Personal Information Are you registering as an Individual or Group? Individual No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Given Name Group Please identify the Contact Family Name Gender Person in case of group registration
Organization/Network: Mailing Address: Email: Tel/Fax: B. Date and Time of Arrival/Departure Date of Arrival in Chiang Mai: Date of Departure from Chiang Mai: PART II: Participation Please identify which activities you would attend: Activities Pre-conference: Meditation Retreat (10-12 Nov) INEB Conference: Networking, Strategy Planning (13-15 Nov) Post-conference: Public Event (the night of 15th - 17 Nov) Yes / No Time of Arrival: Time of Departure:
Baai Sri Ritual and cultural night International Alms Round Walking Tour (“Ancient temples - ancient trees” in Chiang Mai downtown) Public Lecture Social engaged Buddhist Forum The Platform of Sangka for Peace and Transformation Chanting of Maha Santi Gatha and Peace Walk
4
PART III: Fee & Payment Registration requires a payment of registration fee as follow: We do strongly encourage you to make a contribution to logistical expenses on Bodhisattva rate to support the transportations and other expenses for monks and nuns in poor country. Activities Standard Rate Rate/person US$ 150 US$ 200 Grand Total Note: The registration fee includes accommodation, meals and shuttle transportation between the venue and the accommodation. The venue and accommodation for Pre-conference and INEB Conference are at the Meditation Center of Mahachulalongkorn rajvidyalaya University The venue for Post-coference is the Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University campus at Suan Dok Temple. The accommodation will be at local temples near Chiangmai town which is simple and safe. Those who need to stay in a hotel can make their own reservation and cover the expenses themselves. Payment Payment can be made in the following way: Bank transfer – Payment can be made through direct transfer to the below bank account: Account Name: “INEB by Sathirakoses – Nagapradeepa Foundation” Account Number: 024 – 262146 – 8 Bank Name: Siam Commercial Bank Plc. (Charoen Nakorn Branch) Bank Address: Soi Charoen Nakorn 22, Klong San, Bangkok 10600 Thailand Bank Swift Code: SICOTHBK Date of Payment: _____________________________ US$______ Number of participants Total
Bodhisatrava Rate
5