The World Fellowship of Buddhists

Dr. Malalasekera, a famous Sri Lankan Pali scholar, initiated and inspired a Buddhist meeting leading to the founding of a world organization. His brilliant thoughts were responded to beyond expectation. Buddhist delegates from Asia, Europe and North America agreed to participate in a conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Apart from Sri Lankan participants, there were 129 Buddhist delegates from 27 countrics . At this historic meeting, the WorldFellowship of Buddhists was founded on 25 May B.E. 2493 (1950). It marked the first event in Buddhist history when Buddhists of nearly all sects in the world be it Theravada. Mahayana or Vajrayana.

undeterred by customs and practices peculiar to denominations were united in their resolutions to promote and to propagate Buddhism. The Constitution of the World Fellowship of Buddhists which is to serve as operational guidelines was formulated and approved as follows :

1. Name ! The organization shall be known as "The World Fellowship of Buddhists" with "The WFB" as the acronym.
2. Aims and Objectives :
   a.To promote among the members strict observance and practice of the teachings of the Buddha;
   b.To secure unity, solidarity and brotherhood amongst Buddhists;
   c.To propagate the sublime doctrine of the Buddha;
   d.To organize and carry on activities in the field of social, educational, cultural, and other humanitarian services;
   e.To work for securing peace and harmony amongst men and happiness for all beings and to collaborate with other organizations working for the same ends.

Especially, the World Fellowship of Buddhists refrains from involvement directly or indirectly in any political activity.

The WFB Headquarters
At the beginning, it was decided that the WFB Headquarters be located in the country of residence of its president. Since Dr. Malalasekera

a Sri Lankan national, was elected as the first president, the first Headquarters of the World Fellowship of Buddhists was accordingly located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After eight years of its inception in B.E. 2501 (1958), Hon. U. Chan Htoon, a Myanmar national, was elected to succeed Dr. Malalasekera. The venue was thus shifted to Yangon, Myanmar. In B.E. 2506 (1963), in the wake of the revolution, Hon. U. Chan Htoon formally requested Thai delegates to assume responsibility of the overall running of the WFB. The Headquarters was consequently shifted to Bangkok, Thailand.
In B.E. 2512 (1969), at the 9th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, the meeting resolved to make Bangkok the permanent venue of the Headquarters of the WFB. Her Serene Highness Princess Poon Pismai Diskul was unanimously elected as the first Thai President of the WFB. Subsequently, in B.E. 2527 (1984), H.E. Professor Sanya Dharmasakti was elected as the President succeeding Her Serene Highness Princess Poon Pismai Diskul.
Currently, Mr. Phan Wannamethee. the Thai Red Cross Society Secretary-General, is President of the WFB. He was elected at the 20th WFB General Conference in Australia, B.E. 2541 (1998).


The WFB Mission
The WFB missions are propagation of Buddhism, promotion of solidarity and unity of Buddhists all over the world. At present, there are over 140 WFB regional centres in 37 countries distributed geographically worldwide. Each centre actively propagates Buddhism. In Thailand, these centres are : the Buddhist Association of Thailand munder Royal Patronage, the Young Buddhist Association under Royal Patronage, the Thai-Chinese Buddhist Association. The Dhammakaya Foundation, the Dhammapradipa Association, the Buddhist Association of Nakhon Pathom Province, the Buddhist Association of Chon Buri Province, the Luang-Poh Viriyang Sirintharo Foundation, and the Buddhadhamma Foundation. These organizations are more or less responsible for propagation and practice of the Dhamma. In foreign countries, the similar organizations have also been approved by the WFB as Regional Centres for carrying on various activities based on propagation and practice of the Dhamma for securing peace and happiness of humankind.

The function of The WFB is to provide the operational guidelines based on the resolutions of the General Conference and to co-ordinate with the Regional Centres through out the world. The General Conference is held every two years and invitations are extended to all regional centres to send delegates to exchange views, opinions and share experiences. Through such modus operandi, the WFB expect to strengthen solidarity and unity among ail the World Buddhists.

The WFB Organization
In order to achieve its Aims and Objectives, the WFB has established ways and means defined in its Constitution as follows :

1. The General Conference is the highest decision-making body to formulate strategies and policies for the Headquarters and regional centres throughout the world.
2. The General Council is the administrative body for controlling the assets and funds of the WFB. The General Council is also responsible for holding elections to select committee members and personnel. It also sets the rules and procedures to be followed at the meetings of WFB organs.
3. The Executive Council monitors and offers advice for administering the WFB, based on the resolutions of the General Conference. The WFB President serves as the Chairperson of the Executive Council. The Executive Council holds regular meetings every six months in order to monitor and evaluate the operation of the WFB.
4. The Standing Committee is responsible tor implementin decision determined by the General Council. At present, there are altogether 9 standing committees namely: 1. Finance Committee; 2. Publication, Publicity, Education. Culture and Art Committee; 3.Dhammaduta Activities Committee: 4. Humanitarian Services Committee; 5. Unity and Solidarity Committee; 6. Youth Committee; 7. Socio-Economic Development Committee; 8. Women Committee; 9. Buddhist Pancasila Samadana Committee.

Furthermore, three organizations under WFB are established to promote and coordinate Buddhist affairs as follows :

The World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth was established at the 10th WFB General Conference in Sri Lanka, in B.E. 2515 (1972). It encourages youth to observe Buddhist precepts and to practice Dhamma as well as creates peace and harmony among youth.

The World Buddhist University was established at the 20th WFB General Conference in Australia, in B.E. 2541 (1998). It serves as a linkage between universities and educational institutes throughout the world. The WBU focuses its areas of activities on : 1. Research and Development: 2. Training and Curriculum Development; 3. Spiritual Practice and 4. Educational Development based on Buddhism.

Liaison Unit of UNESCO and Other UN Organizations is
in charge of coordinating activities which promote education, science and culture.
In addition, the Buddhists in Thailand have set up three foundations to support Buddhist activities. They are:

1. The Foundation in Support of Foreign Buddhist Monks of the WFB was established on 1 February B.E. 2515 (1972) to support overseas Buddhist monks and novices to further studies in Buddhism in Thailand.
2. The Foundation for the Support of Buddhistic Knowledge Exchange Programme in Honour of H.M. King Bhumibol The Great was established to celebrate the 60th birthday of H.M. the King on 6 November B.E. 2530 (1987). Its main responsibility is to help set up activities for the exchange of Buddhist knowledge.
3. The Foundation for the Support of the WFB Activities was organized on 7 August B.E. 2535 (1992) to promote and support the WFB activities.

The WFB Headquarters Activities
Apart from coordinating programmes with regional centres, the Headquarters, in cooperation with the three foundations, organizes Buddhist activities throughout the year. The main activities are as follows :

1. First Sunday of the Month programme offers a Buddhist forum. Dhamma talk and meditation class in English;
2. Third Sunday of the Month programme offers a Dhamma discussion forum for interested persons to express and share their views on Buddhism;
3. Last Sunday of the Month programme offers Dhamma talks by distinguishes guest speakers.

Other interesting programmes for propagation of Buddhism include publications of the monthly WFB Newsletter, bi-monthly WFB Journal, quarterly WFB Review and a Guide to Buddhist Monasteries and Meditation Centres in Thailand and so forth.