The European Buddhist Union (EBU) is an umbrella organization of Buddhist communities and organizations in Europe founded in 1975. It is open to Buddhist organizations of all schools and traditions.
Encouragement of contact and co-operation between the Buddhists in Europe and the development of friendly relations between Buddhist organizations are its main object. At present there are more than 50 member organisations from 16 European countries exchanging information and experience. The Inter-Buddhist dialogue is one of the priorities of EBU. The BTE (Buddhist Teachers in Europe) is one of the projects initiated by EBU to promote this dialogue between dharma-teachers active in Europe.
At present its executive board consists of Buddhists from U.K., Germany and Norway, belonging to different schools of Theravada and Mahayana. A council of experienced Buddhists support the work of the board. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) attracts delegates from a dozen European countries.
The AGM 2004 was held in Jägerndorf, Germany. The AGM 2005 was held at Szczecin, Poland; the AGM 2006 was held in Barcelona, Spain, the AGM 2007 in Cadzand, The Netherlands, the AGM 2008 in Arco, Italy, the AGM 2009 in Bettisfield, Shropshire, U.K., AGM 2010 in Velence, Hungary, 2011 in Roqueredonde, France and 2012 in Churwalden, Switzerland.
Famous quotes containing the words european and/or union:
“When the inhabitants of some sequestered island first descry the “big canoe” of the European rolling through the blue waters towards their shores, they rush down to the beach in crowds, and with open arms stand ready to embrace the strangers. Fatal embrace! They fold to their bosoms the vipers whose sting is destined to poison all their joys; and the instinctive feeling of love within their breasts is soon converted into the bitterest hate.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“The union of hands and hearts.”
—Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667)