Welcome

Welcome to the Buddhist Council of Wales site. Here you will find details of events, information and news relating to the organisations which are members of the Council and also to other Buddhist organisations – a resource for all Buddhists in Wales.

Thursday 17 December 2015

Inter Faith Week Event


On Friday 21st November the Buddhist Council of Wales held an Inter Faith Week event "Buddhism in everyday life" at the Triratna Buddhist Order & Community's Cardiff Buddhist Centre.

The successful event included talks from many Buddhist traditions in Wales including Aro gTer Lineage, Dharma House Wales, Palpung Changchub Dargyeling, Rissho Kosei-kai, Soka Gakkai International, Triratna Buddhist Order & Community and Yungdrung Bon and examples of Buddhist practices, chants and meditations including Yogic Song & Mantra by Aro gTer Lineage, a guided meditation by Dharma House Wales, Shodaigyo Meditation by Rissho Kosei-kai and Du-Tri Su Mantra Meditation by Yungdrung Bon.

The event was attended by various members of the inter faith community and educational establishments.

The Buddhist Council of Wales wishes to thank the Triratna Buddhist Order & Community for hosting the event, the many great speakers who participated and also all those who attended the day.









 



Photographs from the day courtesy of Aro gTer Lineage and Dharma House Wales.

Monday 9 November 2015

Buddhist Council of Wales Inter Faith Week Event


The Buddhist Council of Wales have arranged an event for Inter Faith Week on Friday 20th November, hosted at the Triratna Buddhist Order & Community's Cardiff Buddhist Centre. The event includes talks by several Buddhist traditions on the theme of "Buddhism In Everyday Life" and will also include a Q&A section with the panel of speakers and also examples of Buddhist meditations, chants and prayers.

If you require any further information or would like to book a place on one of the sessions, please email us.




Wednesday 14 October 2015

South Cardiff Interfaith Network – launch of the booklet 'our faith'



Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo, Chair of the Buddhist Council of Wales, was invited to join a small interfaith group – the South Cardiff Interfaith Network, who meet in Grangetown. She has been attending meetings since the spring, and joined just as they were beginning the creation of an interfaith booklet: our faith. As Ngakma Nor’dzin is experienced at editing, typesetting and book production through her work for Aro Books worldwide, and the publication of her own books, Spacious Passion and Relaxing into Meditation, she was able to be of considerable help to this project.

Our faith was launched at the Salvation Army centre in Grangetown on Wednesday 7th October. Each of the seven faiths represented at the interfaith group and included in the booklet, gave short presentations at the launch evening. The text of Ngakma Nor’dzin’s presentation is below.

A copy of this interfaith booklet can be purchased at Lulu.com.

Presentation - Buddhism, 7th October, Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo

“I am delighted to be part of the South Cardiff Interfaith Network and to have the opportunity to meet with a variety of faith practitioners, who are actively living their lives through the principles of their own faith, in order to be kind and considerate people in our community. Living as a religious person is of great benefit to our communities. Actively engaging in dialogue with those of other faiths is equally as valuable, for the development of communities based in honour, respect and kindness.



Buddhism is a religion of method rather than truth. This means that there is no one, central book or doctrine that all Buddhists follow. The principle of Buddhism is the development of wisdom and compassion; these could also be called the development of awareness and the enactment of kindness. To discover that these two wings of practice are in essence the same—and inseparable—is to awaken. ‘Buddha’ means ‘The one who has Awakened’. Buddhism teaches that all beings have beginningless Buddha nature within them – all we have to do is awaken.



Because it teaches method rather than truth, Buddhism manifests in many different styles and forms depending on the culture in which it is found. Thai Buddhism, for example, will look quite different to Tibetan Buddhism. The methods of practice will differ; the choice of language to express the path of awakening will differ; and the imagery and ritual aspects of Buddhist practice will differ. Each manifestation of the Buddhist religion will be coloured by the culture and history of where it exists, and by the teachers who have gained realisation and shared their experience.



The underlying principle that will be common to all Buddhist practitioners is the development of wisdom and the manifestation of active compassion. Buddhists try to be kind people. Buddhists try to have awareness of the needs of others. Buddhists try to live their lives with honour and integrity, without harming others.



As Buddhism is a religion of method, it is essentially non-sectarian. It recognises that there are many paths to awakening; that there are many ways to develop awareness and wisdom; that there are many ways to express kindness and compassion. Hence Buddhists are naturally drawn to interfaith dialogue. As well as recognising that there are many styles of method and practice to help us awaken within Buddhism, there is the joyful recognition that there are also many styles of method and practice outside of Buddhism that can equally lead to the development of wisdom and the manifestation of kindness.



In a small way, we members of the South Cardiff Interfaith Network are contributing to recognising each other as religious practitioners. We celebrate each others methods of kindness and awareness. We respect and honour each others methods of spiritual practice and meet together in harmony to try and be of benefit to our community. With this in mind, we have created this booklet ‘our faith’ and hope that it will be of interest and benefit to everyone who reads it.”





 

Tuesday 13 October 2015

Buddhist representatives required for Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taf SACREs

There are currently vacancies for Buddhist representatives on the Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taf SACREs (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education).

If your group or organisation is interested in representing the Buddhist faith in one or both of the SACREs, has someone based in or near the Vale of Glamorgan or in Rhondda Cynon Taf (it is a requirement for RCT that the representative lives in the area), or if you would like to find out more information, then please email the Buddhist Council of Wales and we will pass this on to the appropriate person.

Monday 17 August 2015

Inter Faith Week 2015


It is Inter Faith Week from 15th - 21st November. This year, the Buddhist Council of Wales are arranging an event on Friday 20th November, hosted by the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community's Cardiff Buddhist Centre, details of the event will be announced in the near future.

Is your Buddhist organisation or group running an event in Wales for Inter Faith Week? If so, please let the Buddhist Council of Wales know and we will share it on our social media.


Friday 14 August 2015

Interfaith Council for Wales meeting July 30, 2015

Nor’dzin Pamo, Chair of the Buddhist Council of Wales, attended the Interfaith Council of Wales meeting on July 30, 2015, representing Buddhists in Wales.

Agenda

1.    Croeso & Myfyrdod Tawel – Welcome & Silent Reflection             
   
2.    Ymddiheuriadau – Apologies                            
   
3.    Cofnodion y CCE – Minutes of the last EGM                   
   
4.    Meri Huws Comisiynydd yr Iaith Gymraeg – Welsh Language Commissioner

5.    Cliff Cohen: Cymorth Mudol – Migrant  Help   
      
6.    Cyfansoddiad Ddiwygiedig – Revised Constitution                

7.    Addysg Grefyddol – Religious Education                   

8.    Cadw De Cymru'n Diogel – Keep Safe Cymru                     

9.    Er cof – In remembrance: Kathryn Delpak                   

10.  Adroddiadau o’r Rhanbarthau – Regional Reports     

11.  Cyngor Partneriaeth Y Trydydd – Sector Third Sector Partnership Council    
                           
12.  Troseddau Casineb – Hate Crime                       

13.  Wythnos Rhyng-ffydd – Inter-faith Week                   

14.  Myfyrdodau Terfynnol – Final Reflections    


Notes to the agenda:

4: The Welsh Language Commissioner informed the ICW that Welsh had received official status as a UK language in 2011. She observed that the children and grandchildren of non-Welsh speaking Welsh families were now learning the language.  A representative said that Welsh had been assisted in its survival through the Christian bible having been translated into Welsh.

 5: Cliff Cohen, a retired rabbi, is establishing a group of chaplains to attend migrants in initial accommodation centres. The chaplains will be called upon on a rotational basis to give generic pastoral care. Please contact the Buddhist Council of Wales if you would like to know more about this scheme or apply to be a chaplain.

7: A number of representatives expressed concern over a comment by Huw Lewis with regard to religious education in schools. Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills, announced in the Welsh Assembly on July 15th 2015, that Religious Education in schools in Wales was to be replaced by Religion, Philosophy and Ethics as part of the new Humanities area of study in the National Curriculum proposed by the Donaldson Report. 

8: South Wales Police, Learning Disability Services and Mencap Cymru, have jointly developed a Keep Safe Card Scheme for anyone in the South Wales force area with a Learning Disability, or Mental Health and communication need. This is intended to help individuals feel safer, and to assist police when help is needed. For more information: Keep Safe Cymru Card.

9: Kathryn Delpak was a highly respected representative of the Baha’i faith, who died recently.

10: The Gate arts centre in Roath, Cardiff hosts a spirituality meeting on the second Tuesday of the month. The peace mala organisation has a scheme of symbolic peace doves to travel the world.

Monday 10 August 2015

Buddhist Council of Wales represented at Muslim Eid Celebration



"A new initiative in Cardiff has seen members of many different faith communities join together to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid" -- Rob Osborne, ITV

Buddhists were represented at an Interfaith event on Wednesday 5th August to celebrate the Eid festival at the end of Ramadan. This was organised by a member of the Interfaith Council for Wales and was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rhiwbina.

Ngakma Nor'dzin Pamo, Chair of the Buddhist Council of Wales attended accompanied by her husband Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin Tridral.

It was a most extraordinary and joyous evening, with representatives from the Muslim, Baha'i, Christian, Jewish and Buddhist communities.

Ngakma Nor'dzin said: "It is wonderful to see how different faiths can come together harmoniously and share an appreciation of one-another."

The event was covered by ITV news and a short feature is on their website here

Saturday 11 July 2015

Srebrenica Memorial


The 11th July is the European Union's Memorial Day of the Srebrenica genocide, with 2015 being the 20th anniversary.

On the 8th July a representative of the Buddhist Council of Wales joined other faith and community leaders at the Senedd in Cardiff for the Srebrenica Memorial Service.


The service included two incredibly moving and powerful personal testimonies by Nura Begovic, representative of the Mothers of Srebrenica and Nedzad Avic, a survivor of the Srebrenica genocide.

For further information please visit Remembering Srebrenica








Sunday 17 May 2015

Thursday 23 April 2015

BCW attend MCW "Discover Islam" exhibition launch

On Tuesday 21st April a representative of the Buddhist Council of Wales joined other faith and community leaders at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay for the Muslim Council of Wales "Discover Islam" exhibition launch, sponsored by Dame Rosemary Butler AM.

Tuesday 21 April 2015

Buddhist Festivals

The Welsh Assembly government recently enquired about the festivals celebrated by the faiths represented at the Faith Communities Forum. Buddhism is represented at the Faith Communities Forum by the Buddhist Council of Wales. The Chair of the Council, Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo, replied that the primary Buddhist festivals are the New Year and Wesak (Vesak).

Does your tradition focus on any other Buddhist festivals? Is there a festival that your Buddhist organisation or group would like to have brought to the attention of the Welsh Assembly Government? If so, please do contact the Buddhist Council of Wales to let us know and we will forward the information.

Sunday 22 March 2015

The Dharma Bum - A Documentary


Ian Lawton, a film maker based in the midlands of Ireland, is making a film about the lost Irish historical figure, U Dhammaloka, the first western Buddhist monk.

Ian Lawton speaks in more detail about the film and of Dhammaloka as a guest on a recent episode of the Mindrolling Podcast hosted by David & Raghu of Ram Dass Love Serve Remember Foundation, which is available to listen to here or on iTunes (Episode 96) and has also written an article on Dhammaloka for Elephant Journal. There are also more articles and information available on The Dharma Bum Facebook page.

Information about how to support the project can be found on the campaign page at www.dana.io/thedharmabum where contributions can be made in exchange for rewards.

Saturday 21 March 2015

Race Equality First event for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2015

Representatives of the Buddhist Council of Wales attended the Race Equality First event for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Friday 20th March in Cardiff.

International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2015




Sadly, even democratic and peaceful societies are not immune to prejudice and violence. With the anti-immigration views expressed by some media and politicians in the lead up to the elections, there is growing hostility and discrimination towards many communities.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event with Race Equality First shared the facts as well as the concerns around immigrants, migration and asylum seekers in Wales.

The event included presentations and workshops to celebrate our multicultural society and explore the opportunities and challenges of immigration. The event ended with entertainment from Cardiff Bollywood Dance Society and a networking lunch.

Wednesday 28 January 2015

St David's Day Parade 2015

St Davids Logo

The Buddhist Council of Wales and it's member organisations will be taking part in the Cardiff St David's Day Parade 2015.  The parade starts outside Cardiff City Hall at 12:30 on Sunday 01/03/15 and all Buddhist are welcome to join us in the parade, please email us in advance for further information.

For further information on the parade itself and other events on the day, please visit the St David's Day Parade website.

*image from St David's Day Parade website.