In this episode we had the pleasure to speak with Ven. Clementia Will, nun within the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives - one of the member organization within the European Buddhist Union.

The leading question for our question was: What does it mean to lead a Contemplative Life?

The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (OBC) consists of female and male ordained monks – as well as lay ministers.

The Order is active in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Latvia. In addition to two large monasteries in the US and England, and to the many temples and priories that have been founded, many meditation groups and lay communities have also formed over the decades. 

The male and female monks in the order are fully equal, and are recognized equally. All have taken celibacy vows, and most of them live together in mixed monastic communities, either in our two large monasteries or in the smaller temples. 

The heart and foundation of the practice is Serene Reflection Meditation. A very important aspect of the training is also the effort to keep and act in accord with the Buddhist Precepts.

At the very core of the teaching and practice in this tradition is the recognition that all beings possess Buddha-Nature, which gives rise to thinking and acting with compassion, to selfless giving, and to gratitude.

https://obcon.org

In this episode, we are honored to be joined by Carlo Luyckx, Vice President of The European Buddhist Union (EBU) and President of the Belgium Buddhist Union.

Carlo offers us a glimpse into the intricate tapestry of European Buddhism, where diversity thrives within the backdrop of the European Union's cultural mosaic. With his role as the EBU Liaison Officer to the European Union, Carlo serves as a vital bridge between the Buddhist community and the corridors of power in Brussels.

We delve into Carlo Luyckx's encounters with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, including a special moment when Carlo received a statue from him.

As we conclude our conversation, we remember the importance of civic engagement in shaping our collective future. With the upcoming elections for the new European Parliament in June, each vote becomes a vital instrument in safeguarding democracy, particularly in these challenging times.

Vote for Unity, Vote for Change: Your Voice, Our Future!

L'intégrité en politique: une utopie ? (French Edition) - 2022

Welcome to a new episode of the European Buddha Podcast, where we explore the interplay of ethics and society with Munisha, Vice President of the European Buddhist Union (EBU). We delve into the EBU’s current priorities as an influential umbrella organization, shedding light on its endeavors to foster unity and harmony. Through our discussion, we gain insights into the profound importance of ethics and the timeless wisdom embodied in the five precepts of Buddhism - which are very dear to the heart of our guest. Munisha shares how she finds joy and simplicity amidst the serene landscapes of the Swedish countryside.

Join us and be part of European Buddhist Union: https://www.europeanbuddhistunion.org

From a Buddhist perspective, we understand that nurturing the heart is essential, and schools play a vital role in shaping values, whether consciously or unconsciously. Through self-reflection and fostering healthy relationships, we lay the groundwork for a more harmonious society. The EBU initiative „Teach Peace,“ emphasizes that educators are central to this process, embodying principles of social connection and compassion that students can absorb.

We’re joined by David Rycroft, director of Teach Peace and Mind With Heart, an international charity dedicated to training teachers and students in sustainable wellbeing, emotional health, and social connection. With over 20 years of experience in training mindfulness instructors and school teachers, David brings a wealth of knowledge in tools for emotional health, particularly in working with teenagers. David introduced us to a simple yet effective practice called BBB (Body, Breath, Being), designed to cultivate peace even in challenging environments like schools with restless teenagers. Join us and let’s work together towards building a more peaceful world, one step at a time.

Visit: https://www.teach-peace.org/

In this episode, we sit down with Gabriela Frey and Dr. Thea Mohr to delve into the latest developments in the Buddhist women's movement and the Council of Europe.

We spoke about the crucial role Sakyadhita plays as a member of the European Buddhist Union (EBU). Our conversation explores the intricacies of the EBU's representation in the Council of Europe, with Gabriela Frey serving as a key figure in the Conference for International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs).

What did we learn from our discussion? The importance of dialogue! The EBU's presence in the Council of Europe, represented by Gabriela Frey as the EBU's representative and its involvement with the Committee for Interreligious and Interconvictional Dialogue highlight the significance of dialogue in their work. Our guests provide insights into how their efforts are relevant to civil society, shedding light on the impact of Buddhism in shaping interfaith and interconvictional discussions.

The conclusion? In this precious world, gender balance and religious balance are greatly needed — in order to live in a more harmonious way together! Enjoy this episode!

For more information visit our website: https://www.europeanbuddhistunion.org/

Join us as we reflect on the past year, exploring moments of gratitude that shaped our journey. Embracing the spirit of fearlessness, we delve into the highlights and lessons learned.

As we celebrate the power of gratitude, we extend an invitation to our listeners to support the European Buddhist Union. Your donations contribute to fostering unity, understanding, and the dissemination of Buddhist values across Europe. Visit us here to make a difference! A big thank you to all of you!

In this episode, we embark on a spiritual odyssey with Carla Ott, a young female Buddhist practitioner connecting with us from India. Carla joins us to share her insights on various aspects of Buddhism, delving into her experiences growing up in a Buddhist environment and exploring the nonconceptual memories that shaped her spiritual journey from a young age. We spoke about the impact of „Interconnected,“ a book by Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje and the great potential inherent in each of us as human beings.

Carla recently completed a Master degree in Buddhist Studies at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Nepal and now lives in France, where she is part of the environmental committee of Lerab Ling, a temple and retreat centre of the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma tradition.

https://www.lerabling.org/lang-en/

Recommended readings:

Join us for an ECO-Dharma Episode as we delve into the pressing issue of sustainability in our modern world. In the serene surroundings of the Maison Notre Dame Du Chant D’Oiseau, a historic monastery nestled in the heart of Brussels, we sat down during the AGM breaks to explore the theme of sustainability.

Our guest for this conversation is Gunaketu, an ordained member into the Triratna Buddhist Order and a speaker at the Eco-Dharma Workshops. Gunaketu generously shared his insights on what it means to lead a sustainable life, shedding light on the role Buddhists can play in this endeavor and his personal journey towards maintaining a positive outlook.

Throughout our discussion, Gunaketu underscores that sustainability and justice have emerged as pivotal movements in recent decades. These movements serve as guiding beacons, offering a glimpse of what a new, sustainable society might resemble. In his capacity as a passionate advocate for sustainability among Buddhists in Norway, Gunaketu is also a member of the Eco-Dharma Network, an initiative led by the EBU.

Tune in and be with us as we talk about how to cultivate a more sustainable and harmonious world, one mindful step at a time.

Check out the EBU Eco-Dharma Network & our Shownotes!

Recommended reading & references

In this special episode, we'll delve into the heart of the EBU's vibrant community, offering you an exclusive glimpse into the enlightening Eco-Dharma Workshop, thoughtfully introduced by Jake Lyne. Listen to insights about the intersection of spirituality and ecological consciousness, shedding light on profound connections that can help heal our planet.

We also got a special interview lined up for you. Emilia and Martin took a walk in the park with the newly elected president of the EBU, Stefano Bettera. During their conversation, they explore visions for the future, discussing aspirations and what makes this work so unique.

Let´s create European Buddhism! A message by Stefano Bettera

Join us in this enlightening episode of the "European Buddha Podcast" as we welcome our special guest, Dario Girolami, to discuss the emerging field of Buddhist Chaplaincy in the West. We explore how the roots of Buddhist chaplaincy trace back to Buddha himself, and how it serves to address various forms of suffering.

During our conversation, we delved into the profound impact of Dharma-based companioned service, extending compassion to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike in places of suffering such as hospitals, prisons, and hospices. We discovered intriguing similarities between the environment of a prison cell and the contemplative life of monasticism!

Dario also shed light on the importance of acknowledging compassion fatigue while recognizing the rewarding aspects of engaging in Buddhist chaplaincy.

Towards the end of the episode, we took an outlook on the evolving training in Buddhist Chaplaincy promoted by the EBU.

Get informed:

https://europeanbuddhistunion.org/chaplaincy-network