World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood
Encyclopedia
The World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood (WBSB) is an autonomous, international body committed to promoting and supporting Buddhism
within Scouting
. The WBSB began as a means to facilitate religious activities among Buddhist Scouts. The WBSB was declared active with the election of its chairman on July 21, 2004, and received consultative status with the World Scout Committee at the WSC meeting on March 9, 2009. The World Scout Committee's guidelines indicate that at least three years is required to fulfill the requirements before consultative status may be granted.
, Hong Kong
, Japan
, Mongolia, Republic of China (Taiwan)
, Singapore
, Sri Lanka
, South Korea
, Thailand
and the United Kingdom
.
at Hylands Park in the UK, the WBSB ran the Buddhist Tent in the Faith and Belief Zone (FAB). A large statue of the Buddha, a gift from the National Scout Organization of Thailand to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting and the 80th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
of Thailand. The statue is named Prabuddha Prathanporn Loka-satawassa-nusorn and now sits in the Buddha Sala
at Gilwell Park
in London and replaces the statue given to the Scout Association in 1967.
The activities included making an origami Lotus, making prayer flags, sewing Buddhist neckerchiefs and meditating. On Sunrise Day, a Buddhist celebration on one of the subcamp stages was attended by over 1000 Scouts. As well as Lama Gankhuyag Magsarjav representing Vajrayana
Buddhism, Ven. Ming Kuang from Taiwan represented Mahayana
Buddhism and Ven. Chao Khun Bhavanaviteht (Luangpor Khemadhammo) OBE represented Theravada
Buddhism. The Heart Sutra
was read in Chinese
and Tibetan
and talks on Buddhism were given and translated into French
.
ran the Buddhist tent in the Faith and Belief Zone at the National Irish Jamboree
. Scouts made prayer flags, incense sticks, sand mandalas and practiced meditation.
organised a service project for the UK Scout Network and Mongolian Rover Scouts at the Manzushir Khiid (Манзушир Хийд) temple in the town of Dzuunmod which is 43 km south of Ulaanbaatar
. The temple replaces the large monastery of the same name which was destroyed by the Mongolian communist government in 1937. 82 Scouts spent a week repainting the temple and a large sum of money was also donated to the temple to help improve the facilities.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
within Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
. The WBSB began as a means to facilitate religious activities among Buddhist Scouts. The WBSB was declared active with the election of its chairman on July 21, 2004, and received consultative status with the World Scout Committee at the WSC meeting on March 9, 2009. The World Scout Committee's guidelines indicate that at least three years is required to fulfill the requirements before consultative status may be granted.
Objectives
The official objectives of WBSB are:- To develop and promote the spirit of brotherhood and understanding among Scouts of the Buddhist faith.
- To develop an education curriculum that should enhance the spiritual dimension in the personalities of young Buddhists in accordance with the purpose, principles and method of the Scout Movement.
- To promote relations between Scouting and local Buddhists.
- To introduce Scouting in such states or areas where Buddhism is established.
- To co-ordinate the activities of WBSB with non-Scout Organizations having parallel objectives.
- To motivate co-operation among WBSB members.
- To motivate and promote Scouting among Buddhist boys and girls on a global basis.
- To promote contacts, exchanges and interactions with the Scouts of other faiths.
Membership
Members of the WBSB include BhutanBhutan Scout Tshogpa
Scouting was introduced in Bhutan in 1970. In July 1999, the Bhutan Scout Tshogpa, the coeducational Bhutan Scouts Association, was welcomed as a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement at the 35th World Scout Conference in Durban, South Africa...
, Hong Kong
The Scout Association of Hong Kong
The Scout Association of Hong Kong is the overall Scouting organization in Hong Kong. After the first Scouting initiatives in 1909, the Hong Kong branch of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom was started in 1914 by registering the St. Joseph's College Scout Group, and was formally...
, Japan
Scout Association of Japan
The is the major Scouting organization of Japan. Starting as boys only, the organization was known as the Boy Scouts of Japan from 1922 until 1971, and as Boy Scouts of Nippon from 1971 to 1995, when it became coeducational in all sections, leading to neutral naming...
, Mongolia, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Scouts of China
The Scouts of China is the national Scouting association of the Republic of China, and is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement...
, Singapore
The Singapore Scout Association
The Singapore Scout Association is one of the oldest youth movements in Singapore. Scouting encourages the holistic physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social development of youth with a strong emphasis on duty to God, duty to country, help other people as stated in the Scout Promise and...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Scout Association
The Sri Lanka Scout Association , the national Scouting organization of Sri Lanka, was founded in 1912, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1953...
, South Korea
Korea Scout Association
The Korea Scout Association is the national Scouting association of South Korea.Scouting was founded in Korea in 1922 while under Japanese rule, and sent representatives to the first Far East Scouting competition in Beijing in 1924. However, it was banned by the occupation authorities from 1937...
, Thailand
The National Scout Organization of Thailand
The National Scout Organization of Thailand is the national Scouting organization of Thailand. Scouting was founded in Thailand in 1911 and was among the charter members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922...
and the United Kingdom
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
.
2007
At the 21st World Scout Jamboree21st World Scout Jamboree
The 21st World Scout Jamboree was held in July and August 2007, and formed a part of the Scouting 2007 Centenary celebrations of the world Scout Movement. The event was hosted by the United Kingdom, as 2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of Scouting on Brownsea Island.The event was...
at Hylands Park in the UK, the WBSB ran the Buddhist Tent in the Faith and Belief Zone (FAB). A large statue of the Buddha, a gift from the National Scout Organization of Thailand to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting and the 80th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
of Thailand. The statue is named Prabuddha Prathanporn Loka-satawassa-nusorn and now sits in the Buddha Sala
Sala
- Geography :* Sala Municipality, Sweden - a municipality in Sweden* Sala, Sweden - a city in Sweden, seat of Sala Municipality* Sala municipality, Latvia - a municipality in Latvia* Sala, Latvia - a village in Latvia, an administrative centre of Sala municipality...
at Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre for Scouting groups, as well as a training and conference centre for Scout Leaders. The 44 hectare site is in Sewardstonebury, Epping Forest, close to Chingford, London....
in London and replaces the statue given to the Scout Association in 1967.
The activities included making an origami Lotus, making prayer flags, sewing Buddhist neckerchiefs and meditating. On Sunrise Day, a Buddhist celebration on one of the subcamp stages was attended by over 1000 Scouts. As well as Lama Gankhuyag Magsarjav representing Vajrayana
Vajrayana
Vajrayāna Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle...
Buddhism, Ven. Ming Kuang from Taiwan represented Mahayana
Mahayana
Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...
Buddhism and Ven. Chao Khun Bhavanaviteht (Luangpor Khemadhammo) OBE represented Theravada
Theravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
Buddhism. The Heart Sutra
Heart Sutra
The Heart Sūtra is a Mahāyāna Buddhist sūtra. Its Sanskrit name literally translates to "Heart of the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom." The Heart Sūtra is often cited as the best known and most popular of all Buddhist scriptures.-Introduction:The Heart Sūtra is a member of the Perfection of...
was read in Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
and Tibetan
Standard Tibetan
Standard Tibetan is the most widely used spoken form of the Tibetan languages. It is based on the speech of Lhasa, an Ü-Tsang dialect belonging to the Central Tibetan languages. For this reason, Standard Tibetan is often called Central Tibetan...
and talks on Buddhism were given and translated into French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
.
2008
WBSB members from the United KingdomThe Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
ran the Buddhist tent in the Faith and Belief Zone at the National Irish Jamboree
Jamboree 2008 (Ireland)
Jamboree 2008 was Scouting Ireland's first international Jamboree that was held from 2 until 10 August 2008. It took place on the grounds of the Punchestown Racecourse, County Kildare, Ireland. The aim of the Jamboree was to celebrate one hundred years of Scouting in Ireland. Over 12,000 Irish and...
. Scouts made prayer flags, incense sticks, sand mandalas and practiced meditation.
2009
WBSB members from Mongolia and the United KingdomThe Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
organised a service project for the UK Scout Network and Mongolian Rover Scouts at the Manzushir Khiid (Манзушир Хийд) temple in the town of Dzuunmod which is 43 km south of Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar
Ulan Bator or Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. An independent municipality, the city is not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is over one million....
. The temple replaces the large monastery of the same name which was destroyed by the Mongolian communist government in 1937. 82 Scouts spent a week repainting the temple and a large sum of money was also donated to the temple to help improve the facilities.
External links
- WBSB Official Site
- http://www.foresthermitage.org.uk/nlaug07.pdf