Program information and Registration Form
Engaged Buddhism: Past, Present, and Future
Towards a Turning Point in Buddhist Identity and Community
(The 20th Anniversary of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists - INEB)
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
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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.
The INEB Conference: Evaluation of Engaged Buddhism & Strategic Planning for the Future (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)
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.
Workshops on Buddhist practices through Art and Culture (17 November 2009)
The festival offers mini workshops to demonstrate that Buddhist practices can be nurtured through creative
approaches to art and culture.
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
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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.
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 Venue
10-12 Nov 2009 Retreat Meditation center
13-15 Nov 2009 INEB Conference on strategic planning Meditation center
15 November 2009 Baai Sri Ritual and Culture night Suan Dok Temple
16 November 2009 International Alms Round Street in Chiangmai city
16 November 2009 Walking tour Street in Chiangmai city
16 November 2009 Public Lecture Suan Dok Temple
17 November 2009 Public seminar Suan Dok Temple
17 November 2009 Public workshops Suan Dok Temple
17 November 2009 Chanting of Maha Santi Gatha and Peace Walk Suan Dok Temple and Chiangmai
downtown
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 31 August 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
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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 31 August 2009.
PART I: Information Requirement
A. Personal Information
Are you registering as an Individual or Group?
Individual Group
Please identify the Contact
No Given Name Family Name Gender Person in case of group
registration
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Organization/Network:
Mailing Address:
Email:
Tel/Fax:
B. Date and Time of Arrival/Departure
Date of Arrival in Chiang Mai: Time of Arrival:
Date of Departure from Chiang Mai: Time of Departure:
PART II: Participation
Please identify which activities you would attend:
Activities Yes / No
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)
Baai Sri Ritual and cultural night
International Alms Round
Walking Tour (“Ancient temples - ancient trees” in Chiang Mai downtown)
Public Lecture
Panel discussion, seminar & Workshops
Chanting of Maha Santi Gatha and Peace Walk
PART III: Fee & Payment
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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 Rate/person Number of participants Total
Standard Rate US$ 150
Bodhisatrava Rate US$ 200
Grand Total US$______
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: _____________________________
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