Buddhist and Khmer Society Network (BKSN) and Its Concept For t he 2007 INEB Conference Engaged Buddhism: From Social Welfare to Social Change 1 - 7 September 2007 Taipei, Taiwan ROC By Ubasak Ros Sotha Introduction: This paper is to introduce you what Buddhists and Khmer Society Network (BKSN) is and its concept toward achieving its goal. This presentation was prepared for the 2007 INNEB Conference which was held at the Buddhist Hongshi College, Guanyin, Taipei, Taiwan, through the Power Point presentation. The key points of the presentation: What is BKSN and why? Where do we want to go? What is our concept and approach to reach our destination? Where we are now? What are our constraints? What are our future priorities? And Conclusion. Background of the BKSN : The Buddhists and Khmer Society Network (BKSN) is a national civil society network organization of the voluntary Buddhist organizations and individual Buddhist and social activists around Cambodia who concern about the Buddhist/social issues. Up to now, we have mobilized up to 20 Buddhist organizations plus (50) individual Buddhist/social activists and other Buddhists from different institutions as the members 1 . The Buddhists and Society Network has been emerged since 2005 though a group of Buddhist/social activists (later called themselves as Mlup Preah Thor) which was initiated and facilitated by Ubasak Ros Sotha due to the concern of Buddhism effectiveness and sustainability in Cambodia 2 . Historically, the Buddhist and social activists met together in late September 2005 at a Wat Phnom Del in one of the provinces in Cambodia north of Phnom Penh to discuss Buddhist issues and find way to strengthen Buddhism in Cambodia through networking among Buddhist and social activists and Buddhist organizations. The activity was done in close collaboration and financial support from Buddhism for 1 This number will be increased more in the future as we still in the process of mobilizing. We have no limitation on the number of the member yet. 2 It is important to sustain Buddhism in Cambodia as it has been a logical and profound heritage rooted in Khmer spirits for centuries and hardly to be replaced, but important is the how to practice (the finding of Ubasak Sotha). 1
Development (BFD) and Buddhist benefactors with participation from 56 people (from 10 Buddhist organizations): monks, Ubasaks, Ubasekas coming from Buddhist organizations and individuals. Due to the first meeting, we found that Buddhism in Cambodia has been grown physically, but not spiritually that causes declining of respect of the society to Cambodian Buddhists, referring to monks and Ajarns after Pol Pot’s time where Cambodian Buddhism was dramatically destroyed. Importantly, it has been not able to strongly stand as a strong foundation for helping the Cambodian society from ignorance and greed yet that leaving Cambodia in less harmonization, less- justice, less-peace and less progress. So far, sin actions (Akosala) are still happing so often in the country like killing even to monks, stealing or corruption, etc. In addition, there is a lack of social actions for all kinds of beings. These problems are due to the following main causes: First, we recognize that our Buddhism in the rehabilitation process after the period of suffering: 1975 – 1991; Lack of proper education and enforcement of Buddhism system and Dhamma tools within the structure of Buddhism in Cambodia; Lack of common mutual support mechanism among the Buddhists/Buddhist Sanghas; There are different interpretations of Buddhism philosophy, for example, Karma, role of the monk, etc It has been recognized locally and internationally that Buddhism in Cambodia is being strongly influenced by powerful individual politicians, and some of the top monks are being used a political tool; and The Buddhist competitor, Christianity, also working hard to convert Cambodian people, especially, the most vulnerable poor people, into Christianity, some time, in an unfriendly way; it causes disharmony among the Cambodian people. In order to contribute to the rehabilitation of Buddhism in Cambodia and ensure Buddhist practices within the society, we believe that a network among Buddhist activist/social activists and Buddhist organizations is very important to build on our strengths, eliminate weaknesses, and translate Dhamma into daily life toward harmonization, social justice, peace and progressive society of Cambodia. The BKSN has been clearly embodied after its second meeting which was organized in November 2006 at the BFD Training Center, Watt Anlong Vill, Battambang. The core strategy and constitution were agreed, executive bodies were formed. 2
Group Photo of the Second Meeting, Nov 07 Where do we want to go? Goal: To improve public support and Buddhist practices. Buddhist practice: Help our selves and other. Objectives: – Build capacity and solidarity among the network members – Improve living conditions of the poor Buddhist; – Increase public understanding on Buddhism; – Reduce practices that against to the Buddhist Vinija and philosophy; and – Reduce violated actions on the right of the Buddhist from other religions What is our approach to the destination? 3
As the Buddha said to Ananda, “People who are in hell are like the soil under my feet, and the people who are enlightened are like the dust on my feet”. Not many currently practice the five Buddhist precepts ( sila ), which is the foundation of Buddhism, peace or human rights. However, suffering and violence can be solved by the tri-sikkha (the three trainings of precepts - sila , meditation – samadhi , and wisdom - panna ). The tri- sikkha is an effective tool to achieve the Noble Eightfold Path, and when we succeed in these, everyone will enlighten and has great compassion ( maha koruna ) and great love ( maha metta ). Finally, we will live in Buddhism or peace, especially when, as stated by Maha Ghosananda, “We work for peace step-by-step.” So we should build peace or teach Dhamma for others step-by-step with efforts or activism and developing inner peace as seamlessly as breathing or eating meals. To build peace or Dhamma practices, we need to educate people about maha karuna and metta . To build maha metta we should follow two ways: 1) encourage interested people to practice the tri-sikkha , and 2) provide opportunities to those who lack metta to learn about dukkha (suffering and the results violence) and samudaya (the roots causes of suffering). People who are wise or respected leaders and follow the tri- sikkha can influentially educate and demonstrate these principles by using clear goals and desired outcomes. The Buddha said, “A wise person leads to peace”. Buddhist education should consider the basic need first 3 : 1) ) I In nc co om me e + + 2 2) ) B Bu ud dd dh hi is st t E Ed du uc ca at ti io on n + + 3 3) ) B Bu ud dd dh hi is st t P Pr ra ac ct ti ic ce es s 1 Once day, the naturally interested and naturally uninterested people may join together in the tri-sikkha when their right understandings have developed. Finally, Buddhism is practiced and preserved. 3 This approach also adapted from the best practice of a peace building project of UNESCO in Cambodia. 4
Structure General Assembly Secretary: Advisory Mlup Preah Thor Council Central Committee:3ps Education/Solidarity Ex. C. Living Condition Ex. C. Advocacy Ex. Co Provincial Contact Persons Community Contact Persons The BKSN structure consists of 8 components: 1. General Assembly: meet at least one a year; 2. Advisory Councils: Consists of well-respected Buddhists to provide advice and presidency to the network; 3. Management Body: 3 people and 3 Executive Committees; 4. Central Committee: National Representative, National Representative 2, and National Representative 3, and Secretary; 5. Executive Committees: Education/Solidarity Executive Committee, Living Condition Executive Committee, and Advocacy Executive Committee. Each EC has one Coordinator, Secretary, and Members; 6. Provincial Contact Persons: Locates at every city and municipality; 7. Community Contact Person: Locate according to the different geographical segments within each province and municipality; 8. Secretary Body: The network has its own secretary, but it is not enough due to the time constraint. Therefore, Mlup Preah Thor, the founder of the BKSN which is led by Ubasak Ros Sotha also, provides voluntary extra secretary assistance to the network as a catalyst to help making the network functional. Mlup Preah Thor strategically has considered itself as the seed of the network for now and then. *** Main decisions making are made as team in 2/3 system. Activities Most of the activities that we have achieved mostly related to building of the network, sharing knowledge and solidarity among the network members though we don’t have regular funding sources. Below are some pictures showing of some activities of the BKSN: 5
Education/Solidarity: Annual conference to share knowledge, networking, & make decisions Join solidarity actions Mlup Preah Thor represented the BKSN to join with other NGOs to organize a Gratitude Ceremony for Samdech Maha Ghosananda, Wat Sampao Meas, March 07 6
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