..Overview of W.F.B.Y. ( World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth)
Past Presidents of The World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth
A HISTORICAL SKETCH of THE W.F.B.Y.
Dating back to the year B.E. 2493 (1950), Dr. Malalasekera, a well-known Sri- Lankan scholar, along with 129 Buddhists from 27 countries founded the World Fellowship of Buddhists (W.F.B.) with an aim to promote unity and harmony among all mankind through Buddha Dhamma. Twenty-six years later, at The Tenth General Conference of W.F.B. in Sri Lanka, the issue of joining force among Buddhists Youths was emphasized with a far-sighted vision that Youths are the fruits of the world and need to be morally developed. Consequently, the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (W.F.B.Y.) was established in May B.E. 2515 (1972). Today the W.F.B.Y. membership has expanded to 29 Regional Centers in 15 countries.
The aims of this association are:
To promote and strengthen, among young people, the understanding and practice of the teachings of the Lord Buddha and to increase respect towards the Triple Gem, parents and elders.
To promote unity, solidarity and brotherhood among young Buddhists.
To organize and carry out activities in the social, economic, educational, recreational, cultural and religious fields together with other humanitarian services.
The management and administration of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth is regulated by an Executive Board which consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary General and Treasurer General. The organization operates under the W.F.B.Y. Constitution and By-laws. The Headquarters, located in Bangkok, Thailand, is a central operating body in coordinating and facilitating information and activities among all Regional Centers worldwide.
SOLUTIONS TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS ARISE FROM WISDOM
If we study the essence of Buddhism carefully, we discover that the Lord Buddha's teachings on cause and effect provide possible solutions to the problems of life in our modern world.
Living a moral life causes joy to arise in young people's lives.
Wisdom does not come from education alone. It arises out of mental development, which can enhance skillful living.
Young people who practice meditation can enhance their mental development and grow in wisdom. Through this wisdom they will naturally seek to bring peace and happiness to the world.
Young Buddhists Networking Together
Today there are many Buddhists who are ready to understand the teaching of Lord Buddha. How can they be reached?
The World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (W.F.B.Y.) allows a network of cooperation among its Regional Centers. Through this international cooperation, many beneficial and creative activities such as Youth Leadership Training Program, Youth Exchange Program, Joint Meditation Program, Social Welfare, etc. can be carried out on a global scale.
In this way, countless tiny lights of wisdom will be lit in every corner of the world.
| WFBY Headquarters | Tel: (66 2) 661-1284-9 | |
| Direct: (66 2) 661-0995 | ||
| AUSTRALIA | Australian Buddhist Mission (ABM) | Tel: (61 46) 267-420 |
| BANGLADESH | Bangladesh Bouddha Juba Parishad | Tel: (88 2) 508-484 |
| Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha(Youth) | Tel: (88 31) 624-075 | |
| Aburkhil Janakalyan Samiti, Bangladesh | Tel: (88 31) 617-078 | |
| Bangladesh Buddhist Association (Youth) | Tel: (88 31) 504-709 | |
| Mahamandal Welfare Organization | Tel: (88 31) 610-197 | |
| HONG KONG | The Hong Kong Buddhist Association | Tel: (852 3) 233-60437 |
| Buddhist Youth Association Ltd. | - | |
| INDIA | Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre | Tel: (91) 198-244025 |
| Trailokya Bauddha Mahasangha G. Pune | Tel: (91) 206-96812 | |
| INDONESIA | PATRIA (Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia) | Tel: (62 21) 689-672 |
| JAPAN | All Japan Young Buddhist Association | Tel: (81 78) 681-1951 |
| KOREA | WFBY-Korea Regional Centre | Tel: (82 2) 741-0495-6 |
| Korea Youth Buddhist Association | Tel: (82 2) 738-3386-7 | |
| Won Buddhist Youth Association | Tel: (82 653) 850-5568 | |
| MALAYSIA | Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia | Tel: (60 3) 776-4591 |
| MONGOLIA | WFBY Mongolian Regional Centre | Tel: (976 1) 321-726 |
| NEPAL | Young Men's Buddhist Association of Nepal | Tel: (977 1) 538-413 |
| SINGAPORE | Singapore Regional Centre of WFBY | Tel: (65) 288-5971 |
| SRI-LANKA | WFBY-Sri Lanka | Tel: (94 1) 645-345 |
| National Buddhist Youth Council Sri Lanka | Tel: (94 1) 736-797 | |
| TAIWAN | R.O.C. The Youth Committee of Buddhist Association R.O.C. | - |
| Lay Buddhist Association of R.O.C., Youth | Tel: (886 2) 236-20223 | |
| Chinese Young Buddhist Association | Tel: (886 2) 256-70868 | |
| THAILAND Dhammakaya Foundation | Tel: (66 2) 524-0257-63 | |
| Young Buddhist Association of Thailand | Tel: (66 2) 413-7106, 805-0790-4 | |
| Luang Pho Viriyang Sirintharo Foundation | Tel: (66 2) 332-8226,311-3903 | |
| U.S.A | American Young Buddhist Association | Tel: (1 626) 961-9697 |
| Viet-American Buddhist Youth Association | Tel: (1 510) 732-0728 |
PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE WORLD FELLOWSHIP of BUDDHIST YOUTH
| B.E. 2515-2519 (1972-1976) | Mr. Nemsiri Mutukumara | (Sri Lanka) |
| B.E. 2519-2523 (1976-1980) | Mr. Prok Amaranand | (Thailand) |
| B.E. 2523-2527 (1980-1984) | Mr. Boonyong Vongvanij | (Thailand) |
| B.E. 2527-2541 (1984-1998) | Mr. Phallop Thai-Arry | (Thailand) |
| B.E. 2541- ........(1998-Present) | Mr. Sommai Kornsakoo | (Thailand) |
| .. |
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE POWERFUL |
The situation in the world is unstable. It is clear that we need the Buddha Dhamma to purify human minds and to bring peace on earth.
Young Buddhists who are optimistic, hard working, wise and compassionate can promote world peace.
The World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (W.F.B.Y.)
616 Benjasiri Park, Soi Medhinivet Off
Soi 24 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
Tel: (66 2) 661-1284-9, 661-0995
Fax: (66 2) 661-0996
E-mail: wfbyhq@asiaaccess.net.th
http://www.wfby.org
