World Fellowship of Buddhists


The World Fellowship of Buddhists is an international Buddhist organization. Initiated by Gunapala Piyasena Malalasekera, it was founded in 1950 in Colombo, Ceylon, by representatives from 27 nations. Although Theravada Buddhists are prominent in the organization,, members of all Buddhist schools are active in the WFB. It has regional centers in more than 30 countries, including India, the United States, Australia, and several nations of Africa and Europe, in addition to traditional Buddhist countries.
The aims and objectives of the World Fellowship of Buddhists are:
  1. To promote among the members strict observance and practice of the teachings of the Buddha
  2. To secure unity, solidarity, and brotherhood amongst Buddhists
  3. To propagate the sublime doctrine of the Buddha
  4. To organize and carry on activities in the field of social, educational, cultural and other humanitarian services
  5. To work for happiness, harmony and peace on earth and to collaborate with other organizations working for the same ends.
The current president is Phan Wannamethee of Thailand serving since 1999, while Venerable Hsing Yun of the Republic of China (Taiwan) served as honorary president.

Affiliates

Australia

Austria

  • Österreichische Buddhistische Religionsgesellschaft (Austrian Buddhist Union)

Bangladesh

Belgium

Bhutan

  • Dratshang Lhentshog (National Council of Sangha Communities)

Brazil

  • Federacao das Seitas Buddhists do Brasil
  • Sociedade Budista do Brasil

Cambodia

  • Buddhism Community for Development of Cambodia
  • Buddhist Association Khmer Republic

Canada

  • Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple
  • Buddhist Church of Canada
  • International Buddhist Friends Association (IBFA)
  • True Faith Buddhism Association of Canada Inc.
  • Universal Buddhist Temple

China

Czechoslovakia

  • Dr. Dusan J. Kafka

Finland

  • Buddhismin Ystavat

France

  • Association Cultuelle Bouddhique De Marseille (Vallondes Tuves)
  • Association Zen International (AZI)
  • French Regional Centre of WFB
  • French-Vietnamese Buddhist Association
  • World Linh-Son Buddhist Congregation

Germany

Ghana

Great Britain

Hong Kong

India

  • All Assam Buddhist Association
  • All India Buddhist Mission
  • Ambedkar Buddhist Academy
  • Asoka Mission
  • Bhikkhu Sangha's United Buddhist Mission
  • Bouddhjan Panchayat Samiti, "Panchayatan" Dr. Ambedkar
  • Buddhist International Centre
  • Buddhist Society of India
  • Buddhist Society Service Centre
  • Department of Ecclesiastical Affairs - Sikkim
  • Department of Religion and Culture
  • Dharma Chakra Centre
  • Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Samarak Samiti
  • Indian Buddhist Society
  • International Brotherhood Mission
  • International Buddha Education Institute
  • International Meditation Centre
  • Kalimpong Dharmodaya Sabha
  • Ladakh Buddhist Association
  • Maha Bodhi Asoka Mission
  • Maha Bodhi Society of India
  • Pali Bhasha Adhyayan Parishad
  • Pradnya Karuna Vihar Samiti, Nanded
  • Shri Dadasaheb Gawai Charitable Trust, Amravati, "Kamal Pushpa"
  • The Bengal Buddhist Association
  • The Karmapa International Buddhist Institute
  • The Sangha Mitra
  • The South India Buddhist Association
  • Triloka Buddha Mahasangha Sahayak Gana
  • Vishwa Buddha Parishad
  • Yashodhara Mahila Vikas Manda

Indonesia

  • Buddha Dharma Indonesia Institution Foundation
  • Gabungan Tridharma Indonesia (GTI)
  • Jakarta Dhammacakka Jaya Foundation
  • Perwalian Umat Buddha Indonesia 1978 (Walubi 1978)

Japan

  • Japan Buddhist Federation

South Korea

  • The Korea Fellowship of Buddhists
  • WFB Korea Regional Centre
  • Won Buddhism

North Korea

Laos

  • WFB Regional Centre

Malaysia

  • Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia
  • WFB Penang Regional Centre
  • WFB Selangor Regional Centre

Mongolia

  • Tashi Choi Ling Monastery
  • The Centre of Mongolian Buddhists

Myanmar

Nepal

  • Dharmodaya Sabha

Netherlands

  • International Zen Institute Netherlands

Philippines

  • WFB Philippines Regional Centre

Singapore

  • The Buddhist Union
  • The Singapore Regional Centre of WFB

Sri Lanka

Sweden

  • Buddhismens Venners
  • Svenska Buddhistiska Samfudes

Taiwan

  • Chinese Buddhist Temple Association
  • Fo Guang Shan Monastery
  • Han Tzang Cultural Association
  • The Buddhist Association
  • The Lay Buddhist Association

Tanzania

  • The Buddhist Association

Thailand

United States

USSR

Vietnam

  • Theravadin Buddhist Association