Theravada Buddhist Community Welfare Organisations A collection of links to websites of Theravada Social Welfare Organisations

This page is a collection of web-pages of Theravada Buddhist organisations or NGOs working with Theravada Buddhists in welfare or social projects. It came about as I was surfing the web for such organisations and being aware that many others have also been looking for such resources, I decided to put them here together to facilitate any future research.

There are many social welfare organisations run by Buddhists; many of them run by Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhist groups. I have only listed the Theravada ones here. Generally, they tend to be relatively small scale and low profile and are often overlooked by the media.  But these represent only a tiny fraction of Theravada welfare activity. My research indicates many temples, monasteries and societies have a welfare and charitable arm which were set up to address a temporary need (such as Tsunami relief) or to meet local needs in their community. These have been omitted from the list as they are ubiquitous and their impact is very localized. Obviously organisations which do not have a proper web-site are not included here too.
 

International

Bhante Wimala (supporting the work of Bhante Wimala)
Buddhist Relief Mission (founded by Ken and Visakha Kawasaki)
Foundation for Global Harmony (supporting the work of Gayuna Cealo aka Karuna Sayadaw)

Bangladesh

Dhammarajika Orphanage - Orphanage
Parbatya Bouddha Mission - Orphanage, community development

Cambodia

Association of Buddhists for Environment - Environmental protection and conservation
Brahmavihara-Support for victims of HIV and AIDS
Buddhism and Society Development Association- Community Development
Buddhism for Development- Community Development
Children of Cambodia- aka Volunteer Development Poverty Children School, a school for disadvantaged children and orphans
Hope for Children at Wat Norea - Orphanage for AIDs Children
Khmer-Buddhist Education Assistance Project - Cultural and Religious renewal
Khmer Buddhist Relief -Welfare and relief work
Life and Hope Association- Care for orphans, vulnerable children and disadvantaged peoples
Salvation Centre Cambodia -AIDS prevention and care
Tean Thor- Communiy development and AIDS care

India

International Brotherhood Mission - Orphanage, social welfare in Assam
Mahabodhi Ladakh - Community development, religious training, healthcare

Malaysia

Ti-ratana Welfare Society - Community Welfare services

Myanmar

Foundation for the People of Burma - Humanitarian aid, healthcare, education
Metta Development Foundation - Community development
Sitagu Association's Projects - Healthcare and infrastructure support to monastic community in Sagaing hills area

Nepal

Dhamma Moli - Protection of vulnerable girls

Singapore

Firefly Mission - Charitable missions to Asian countries

Sri Lanka

Karuna Trust -  Educational assistance
Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya - Orphanage
Sarvodaya - Community development, Sri Lanka's largest charity

Thailand

Sangha Metta Project - HIV/AIDS prevention and care
Sasanee.org - Women's welfare
Sathirakoses-Nagapradeepa Foundation (Sulak Sivaraksa) - Social development
Students Education Trust - Scholarships for rural children
Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu (The Aids Temple) - Care for AIDS victims
Wat Thamkrabok - Drug addiction recovery
Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yanasampanno(The Tiger Temple) - Tiger conservation

United Kingdom

Angulimala - Prison chaplaincy

Please check out other web-sites of mine.

• "Dhammaduta", a chronicle of the establishment of the Theravada bhikkhu sangha in new countries.
• "How To Become A Buddhist", A DIY Guide to taking the Three Refuges and becoming a Buddhist.
• "Finding the Way", Buddhists of various nationalities describe their paths to the Buddha-Dhamma.
• "Buddhist Answers", Answers Frequently Asked Questions on Buddhism
• "Going forth", Links to pages on personal reflections and autobiographies on life as a Theravada Buddhist monk.

Page first created 19 June, 2006
Lee Yu Ban