Greetings from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)!
The IBC is pleased to invite applications for membership of the organization. The membership is open from June 01 to June 30, 2024.
2. The Membership of the IBC is open to Buddhist Organizations - whether International, National or Regional in nature, monasteries, Viharas, Nunneries, temples, Sangha Bodies (of Monks, Nuns, Upasaka, Upasikas), institutions, and entities. IBC DOES NOT CATER TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP.
3. All new members shall be granted an Associate Membership for the first three (3) years and thereafter shall be eligible to apply for Permanent Institutional Membership of the Confederation, provided the member is able to provide a meaningful contribution towards fostering the aims and objectives of the IBC. Grant of Permanent membership shall be subject to the acceptance of application, approval or rejection by the Membership & Screening Committee and further approval of admittance by the Executive Committee of IBC.
4. If a particular application for membership is not approved by the Executive Committee of the Society, reasons for the refusal shall be communicated to the concerned Organization / applicant.There shall be a membership fee and an annual subscription fee payable by members.
5. The membership fee and annual subscription fee structure is given below:
From August 27-28th 2011, a working sub-committee met at the India International Centre in New Delhi to prepare the ground for the formation of this international Buddhist body.
In November 2011, New Delhi was host to Global Buddhist Congregation (GBC) that was attended by over 800 delegates and observers from Buddhist organizations and institutions from around the world, who came together to address common issues facing the modern world from the perspective of the Holy Dhamma.
Under the banner: Collective Wisdom: United Voice, the attendees of the GBC unanimously adopted a resolution to form an international umbrella body – the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The purpose of this body is to create a role for Buddhism on the global stage so as to help to preserve our heritage, share our knowledge, and promote our values and to represent a united front for Buddhism to enjoy meaningful participation in the global discourse.
Regardless of the doctrinal differences within the rich and varied Buddhist traditions, there is far more that unites us than divides, and the IBC provides the foundation for the growth and development of this common ground. The IBC is blessed to include the Holy Sangha and eminent representatives of Buddhist lineages, organizations, institutions, and monastic bodies worldwide as Founding Members and Signatories to its Charter.
Included in the Charter, that was finalized during the GBC on November 30th, are the following aims and objectives:
A sub-committee meeting was held on December 3, 2012, attended by delegates from the United States, Bhutan, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Nepal, and India, during which an Organising Committee along with Working Committees on agenda, membership, electoral process, projects, and funding, were formed.
During the upcoming 1st Founding Members Conclave, the provisional Governing Body was dissolved and the Founding Members elected the new Governing Body and Office Bearers of the IBC. The members also decided on membership structure, IBC's core projects and activities and corpus funding. Working sub-committees was formed to address issues facing Buddhists in the modern world such as heritage, preservation of traditions and practices, equality issues, social engagement and the environment.
Gilded statue of the Parinirvana, Kushinagara, UP, India
Grand Chaitya-Griha, Kondavane Caves, Maharashtra, India
The Nalanda University Site, Bihar, India
Ashoka Pillar, Lumbini, Nepal
Apsaras, Mural, Sigiriya, C. 5th Century, Sri Lanka
SomapuraVihara, Paharpur Site, Naogaon, Bangladesh
Global Buddhist Congregation, November, 2011, attended by 900 delegates from 46 countries
The world’s most important Buddhist heritage is located in Bihar,Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The states of Jammu & Kashmir have exquisite Buddhist art and early monasteries. India has many still unexcavated Buddhist sites, waiting to be unearthed.
The Indian heritage of Buddhism is unparalleled. However, its present state and lack of infrastructure, as well as lack of information and connectivity, leave much to be desired. The Buddhist people want a platform where these concerns can be addressed. A platform which can work towards preservation of Buddhist heritage sites, knowledge, traditions and culture.
Lumbini is one of the greatest of pilgrimage sites that every Buddhist desires to visit. Already, organizations of many countries are working on the development of this most historic site. The International Buddhist Confederation would like to work closely with the Government of Nepal, UNESCO and other organizations to compliment the developmental work already beingdone.
One of the earliest countries to embrace Buddhism was Sri Lanka. In the 3rd century BC, Sanghamitra, daughter of Emperor Ashoka, carried a cutting of the revered Bodhi Tree at Bodhgaya to Sri Lanka. Buddhism was symbolically planted, along with the holy tree, on the island. Both the faith and the venerated Bodhi Tree continue to flourish till today. The country has a rich and vast Buddhist heritage which needs to be preserved.
In fact, Buddhism had practically disappeared in India until it was revived by AnagarikaDharmapala of Sri Lanka. He not only brought attention on the material heritage of Buddhism, but was also responsible for the revival of the faith in social discourses, in India, Sri Lanka and in the world. He took the faith to three continents.
Today, commercialization has been growing all over the world and has become a grave threat to civilization itself. The peace and harmony which pervaded the entire Buddhist world is gradually being lost to the influences of materialism. Heritage monuments are becoming archaeological sites and not places of worship. If this goes on, we will lose even the most important heritage, which is of the traditions and harmonious way of life of the Buddhists.
It is in this context and background that the IBC came into existence with the aim of bringing together Buddhist organizations of various countries to act collectively. The IBC aims to pool the wisdom of all and speak with a united voice, to preserve both the tangible and intangible heritage of Buddhism.
Over the years, the IBC has strived to achieve the above goals and is today established under the patronage of the Supreme Buddhist religious hierarchy. It currently has a membership drawn from 39 countries of over 320 organisations both monastic and lay that includes world bodies, national and regional federations, orders, temple bodies and monastics etc. United by the moto “Collective wisdom, United Voice” IBC aims to make Buddhist values and principles a part of the global discourse by presenting a united Buddhist voice on issues that concern all human kind.
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