Consider what gives life meaning

We all want happiness and look for ways to live a good life. However, for many of us, pursuing happiness can be difficult because we generally don’t know what actually makes us happy. In a world full of tensions and competition, inequalities and social unrest, in a world full of violence and various types of oppression, people usually feel tired and burnt out. We are used to living in a state of permanent crisis affecting the natural environment, economy, culture, and social relations. Today, the future raises more concerns and fears than hope for a better tomorrow, and many of us suffer mentally, not finding the meaning of existence, unable to live in a way that would give us joy and satisfaction from life. Modern social life is based on competition, which forces selfish attitudes. It usually happens that the one who accumulates more goods is considered more resourceful and better than those who have less. Nowadays, happiness usually has a material dimension. However, true happiness is more than just having material goods or fulfilling selfish desires. The endless pursuit of them ultimately brings disappointment, sadness, and ultimately suffering. It’s probably high time to change the paradigm we live in, and Buddhism has a lot to offer.

Act with commitment, compassion, and care

The Buddhist Culture Foundation wants to work towards building a society of true goodness, dignified and happy life. The foundation of the Foundation’s activities is Buddhist ethics, which emphasizes individual responsibility for thoughts, words, and deeds. In his teaching, the Buddha pointed out that every action has consequences; therefore, one should avoid doing evil, act with compassion and care for the benefit of all beings, and train the mind so that it does not fall into states of confusion in which it is easy to act harmfully and harm others.

Farm and manage fairly, without exploitation and violence

The Foundation’s area of interest also includes economics. Modern economics is defined by profit maximization, competitiveness, actions based solely on one’s own interest and instrumental use of the world’s resources. Buddhist economics focuses on the quality of life of ordinary people, saying nothing about profit or competition, and instead it advocates simplifying desires, caring for others, and generosity. The pillars of Buddhist economy are simplicity, minimalism, and non-violent action. People become good and want to help each other when they understand that they are fundamentally dependent both on nature and on other people and beings. No one exists as an independent and separate entity, so the well-being of each person depends on the well-being of others and the entire well-being of the planet. The goal of an economy based on the principles of Buddhism is the happiness of people and other beings, high quality of life, common prosperity, fair distribution of goods and sustainable development. The Foundation’s activities are aimed at realizing such a vision of economic order.

Initiate social change

In order for a culture based on the Buddhist worldview to exist and take root in society, education in the field of Buddhist teachings about the nature of reality, the human condition, and the functioning of the mind is needed. In addition to publications, the Foundation plans to organize conferences, seminars, and educational projects in this area, in particular those that will demonstrate how many points in common the Buddhist concepts of nature, humanity, and mind have with the modern, scientific understanding of the world and human being. The foundation also wants to promote traditional Buddhist fields of knowledge and skills, such as Tibetan medicine, as well as to organize courses in meditation and contemplative arts.

The ultimate goal of all these activities would be a positive evolution of the individual, i.e., the development of a conscious, more authentic life, one without illusions, aggression, and fear, a life characterized by kindness and compassion towards others and the world – a good and happy life. Buddhism talks about a certain basic potential that lies in each of us, and its realization would be the discovery of our authentic, unconditioned state, which, however, does not contradict the social commitment of Buddhism – on the contrary, it even presupposes it.

We believe that, drawing on the wisdom of Buddhism, we can build an ethical culture and create opportunities for multiple, positive and useful actions, development, and self-education, while remembering, however, that we live on Earth with other beings whose happiness and well-being should be as important to us as our own fate, just as the fate of the planet itself. We want this world to become a friendly environment, a true home for all the creatures inhabiting it.

We invite all those who are close to this vision of Buddhist culture and who would like to contribute to its realization by engaging in co-operation with us.​