:: ABOUT US AND SOME INFORMATION OF CONSTITUTION ::
“ World Buddhist Association in Bangladesh (WBA)” one of the Social Welfare, Humanitarian, charity, human rights as well as a Buddhist Religious Organization which is registered by the NGO Affairs Bureau, Prime Minister Office’s of Bangladesh Regd. No. 3272 Dated: 09.05.2021 and Registered by Social Welfare Ministry, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Registration no: Dha-09644, established on 2018 & we are applied for enlistment membership of UNITED NATIONS NGO Branch which is under review also applied for World Fellowship of Buddhist (WFB) which is also under processing although we have strong collaboration with the different international organizations all over the world. Our all types of activities irrespective of casts, creed, religion and color for human being, human rights and betterment of mankind.
This our homeland and we have a rights to live in this country independently that’s why we are working to serve the helpless peoples, autistics children, streets children, orphans, Old age people, destitute peoples, of core poverty level as well as providing with medical treatment (Hospital), religious & general education, meditation center, setting up venerable Buddhist monks training center, Vocational / Occupational training center, established Buddhist monastery, Cemetery, arrange seminar on inter religious harmony, humanity, world peace and human rights. Provide scholarship to the poor and meritorious students; create social awareness against drug addiction, child abuse, child labor, human trafficking, help to the victim of natural calamities and wretched etc.
This land is an ancient land of the Buddhist community. Buddhism was spread here during the time of the Lord Buddha since 2562. The Lord Buddha had a lot of contribution for establishing Buddhism here and taught the Buddhist community about sacrifice, peaceful life, meditation and many other social well-fare works etc…
After that, the Holiness Emperor Ashoka visited here and worked for spreading Buddhism and established many Buddhist Monasteries in different places for this reason. But it is a matter sorrow that all the Buddhist temples were destroyed and the number of the Buddhist community also reduced due to so many reasons day by day.
After that, His Holiness Atish Deponkor Sri-Gayan were also born here. Holiness also worked for spreading Buddhism in this land, Asian reason including Greater China, Chinese Tibet, Chinese Taiwan, Vietnam, Bhutan, Cambodia etc….
According to the history, we have come to know that, near about after a hundred years the Buddhist Community lost its quantity day by day due to so many reasons.
At present, the number of the Buddhist Community including the tribal people about 0.73% of the total population of Bangladesh.
We would like to inform that 95% people of the Buddhist community are educated and mostly poor and middle-class status but there are no highly rich men who can contribute for the Dhamma and to the Buddhist Community for sustainable development. We can inform with pride that most of the Buddhist peoples in Bangladesh very peaceful and sacrificing minded.
The Lord Buddha thought us to dedicate our lives to the betterment of the all living beings of the world. The World Buddhist Association in Bangladesh (WBA) works according to the teaching and philosophy of the Lord Buddha’s.
“World Buddhist Association in Bangladesh (WBA)” Is an Organization of Buddhist community. The activities of this Organization are involved with all the Buddhist leading and other countries in the World, local and International welfare & development Organizations.
To develop and extend help in religious and socio-economic development of Buddhist and other communities of Bangladesh and worldwide Ln. Mr. Rinku Kumar Barua has shown his interest and in this view on 29th June 2018 he Organized an important Meeting and Conference at “Fars Hotel & Resorts” in Dhaka, Bangladesh where many distinguished guests, leaders, ladies, and gentleman of Buddhist and other’s minority community were present. After threadbare discussion, an Advisory Committee, an Executive Committee and life members were formed unanimously. It is also concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights.
:: VISION
All the minority peoples enjoy the freedom to adhere to their world view of the three refuges of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha; they freely exercise their religion and uphold the tenets of their culture, their customs and traditions, and preserve their cultural and religious heritage, should that be their choice.
:: MISSION
The mission of the WORLD BAUDDHIST ASSOCIATION IN BANGLADESH (WBA) is to serve as a forum of support to those who are committed to upholding the rights of all Buddhist and others minority community peoples. Its aim at realizing equality of opportunity, thus allowing all Buddhist and others minority community to become involved in local and international regional decision of making processes. The aim being to ensure that State policies and development programs worldwide are inclusive and reflect diverse views. The WORLD BAUDDHIST ASSOCIATION IN BANGLADESH (WBA) works towards a world where all the minority community people enjoy freedom of conscience, expression and religion, free exercise of cultural rights, as well as freedom from all kinds of discrimination.
:: GOALS AND PRINCIPLES
To provide and disseminate information at a local and national level on human rights, non-discrimination, development and other relevant topics, in order to increase awareness thereto among the Buddhist community as well as others minority communities. It does so by publishing a journal, leaflets, bulletins and other publications (including on a website) and uses the media to further disseminate such information.
To promote awareness at the international level of the situation of minority peoples through publishing articles and presenting declarations in international fora, with the aim to raise awareness of disparities and inequalities that require adjustment in the interest of human rights.
To undertake legal proceedings at the national level in cases of individual human rights violations and to present submissions to complaint procedures at the international level, whenever required in order to seek reparation and redress.
To conduct research in order to collect accurate data on the situation of minority peoples, in terms of development, education, human rights and other relevant issues.
To create opportunities for community members to achieve basic as well as higher education, including by promoting studies and research abroad.
To stimulate interaction with indigenous and minority communities in other countries to promote the exchange of experiences regarding successful initiatives that have allowed people to achieve their full potential in the fields of education and healthy living, technical development, economic development and intellectual property management, free from any element of exploitation or dependency. This exchange shall benefit indigenous and minority communities through learning from each other’s experiences, thus increasing knowledge about how to best improve the situation of community members.
To provide fora for women to bring their particular concerns to discussions and planning processes of the organization, in a working environment where every opinion is valued.
To plan strategically all activities of the organization with timeframes to achieve results and frequent evaluation to monitor progress.
:: STRUCTURE OF THE WORLD BUDDHSIT ASSOCIATION IN BANGLADESH (WBA)
The World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) shall comprise three distinct organs:
The General Assembly comprising all members of the Wolrd.
The Executive Committee comprising 31 members and staff elected by the General Assembly.
An external auditor appointed annually, by the General Assembly.
The General Assembly will elect the members of the Executive Committee and approve the staff. The offices and staff are as follows; the President, the General Secretary and the Finance Secretary, the Vice-President, Secretary Publications and Communication Secretary, Cultural Secretary etc.
The affairs of the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) shall be managed by the officers of the Committee. The General Assembly assigns to the officers of the Committee all the powers necessary to ensure the functioning of the organization within its stated objectives.
The General Assembly may review, approve or amend any decisions taken by the officers of the Committee.
:: ELECTIONS
The members of the Executive Committee are elected by the General Assembly, and shall hold office for three years. After their term, they can be re-elected to the post they were holding or to any other position within the Committee or the Executive Committee.
A member of the Executive Committee can be obliged to resign before the end of his or her three year term by a majority vote of the General Assembly. Such a vote can be called for upon recommendation of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee. A new member will immediately be elected by the General Assembly. The same shall happen in case a member of the Executive Committee resigns.
:: MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be open to any individual who can claim a genealogical relationship to the Buddhist community.
The names of members appear in Annex A.
Members need to pay an annual membership fee, the amount of which will be decided by the Committee.
Any person fulfilling the membership criteria may request to be admitted as a member of the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) by addressing a written request to the President or the General Secretary or the organization.
Any member who wishes to request suspension or exclusion of a member of the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) may address a written request to the President or the General Secretary of the organization.
For all requests of new membership, suspension or termination of membership, the following procedure will be followed: The President or the General Secretary need to inform all members of the Committee of each such request within one week. The Committee then meets (in person or by electronic means) within one week in order to discuss the request and to adopt a common position. Following this meeting, the President or the General Secretary need to inform all the members and the concerned person of the Committee’s position, including the reasons for accepting or rejecting the request. This shall be done within one week of the Committee’s meeting. All members, including the concerned person, may then give their oral or written feedback on the Committee’s recommendation to the President or the General Secretary within one week. Within three days of this deadline, the Committee will take a final decision on the request and will inform all members and the concerned person thereof. The decision of the Committee takes immediate effect. Neither the Committee nor the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) shall be required to give reasons for their decisions with respect to membership should there be external enquiries.
:: PROCEDURE AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Committee shall conduct its meetings and regulate its proceedings as it finds convenient, provided that:
The President, or in his or her absence, any other officer of the Committee or the Vice-President shall chair the meetings of the Committee. In the absence of any of the aforementioned persons, the remaining members of the Committee shall elect an Interim President from those attending.
Meetings can be called for by any of the officers of the Committee or the Vice-President, or alternatively, upon request of any two of the remaining members of the Committee.
The quorum necessary for a decision is two-thirds of the Committee members (regardless of how many members are attending the meeting). If this quorum is not achieved in the first round, there will be a second vote where a simple majority is sufficient. In case of equality of votes, the President’s vote shall count double.
Minutes shall be kept of the proceedings of the Committee, including a list of members attending the meeting. The minutes shall be signed by the member who chairs the meeting, and shall be made available at all times for members of the Committee, and upon request to any member of the organization. Such a request shall be addressed to any of the officers of the Committee, and the member shall receive a copy of the minutes within two days.
:: GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
Annual General Assembly
An Annual General Assembly of the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) shall be held within a period of Twelve (12) months of the adoption of this Constitution. Subsequent Annual General Assemblies shall be held within three (3) months of the end of each financial year.
Annual General Assemblies shall be convened by the President on not less than twenty-one (21) days prior written notice to all members entitled to attend the meeting. This notice shall state the date, time and place of the meeting and in broad term the business to be transacted at the meeting.
The business of an Annual General Assembly shall include:
The presentation and adoption of the Annual Report of the President;
The consideration of the Annual Financial Statements;
Strategic plan for the incoming year
The election of members to serve on the Committee for the following year;
Other matters as may be considered appropriate will be dealt with as General Business.
Other General Assemblies
Other General Assemblies of the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) shall be convened at any time by the President or at the written request of the Committee;
Meetings proceed if no less than one quarter (1/4) of the members of the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) requests such a meeting.
Any General Assembly other than the Annual General Assembly shall be convened on not less than fourteen (14) days written notice to all members. The notice shall state the date, time and place of the meeting and in broad terms the business to be transacted at the meeting: provided that: should the President, having been requested to give such notice, fail to give it within seven (7) days of the request, the persons requesting the meeting shall be entitled themselves to give notice of and to convene the meeting.
:: QUORUM:
A quorum constituting a General Assembly of the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA) shall be the lesser of:
- Twenty One (21) executive members; or
2. Fourth Third (3/4) of the executive members.
Should any General Assembly have been properly convened but no quorum is present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to another date, which shall be within seven (7) days thereafter. The notice reflecting such adjournment shall be given to the persons and in the manner provided for in this Constitution. At such reconvened General Assembly, the members then present or represented shall be deemed to constitute a quorum.
:: VOTING ON RESOLUTIONS:
At all General Assemblies, a resolution put to the vote shall be decided by means of a show of hands or by ballot. A vote by ballot shall be held only if demanded by the President or not less than Fourth Third (3/4) of the persons voting in person or by proxy. The result of the vote shall be the resolution of the assembly.
If a member is unable to attend a meeting by reasons of illness or bereavement that member shall be entitled to appoint a proxy.
- Each member present or represented at such meeting shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
Questions arising shall be decided by a majority of votes. Should there be an equality of votes the President shall have a casting or second vote.
:: MINUTES
Proper minutes shall be kept of the proceedings of all General Meetings, and an Attendance Register will be circulated for updating of addresses at each Annual or General meeting. The minutes shall be signed by the President of the meeting, and shall be available for inspection or copying by any member on two (2) days notice to the Secretary or his or her deputy.
:: NOTIFICATION
- Notice of all meetings provided for in this Constitution, shall be delivered personally, or sent by prepaid post, to the last
address notified by each person concerned to the World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (WBA), or in any other manner as the Committee may decide from time to time.
The accidental omission to address notice/s to any person shall not invalidate the proceedings of any meeting.
c. If posted, notices shall be deemed to have been received seven (7) days after posting.
d. Members shall take personal responsibility to ensure that the correct address is Supplied at all times.
:: FINANCES
Finances of the organization shall be under control of a Financial Secretary by the General Assembly. The Financial Secretary shall report to the Executive Committee, and to the General Assembly.
Sources of Finance: the sources of finance shall be membership fees; donations from individuals; grants from legally-constituted foundations; grants from other organizations; and grants from governments. The latter will be accepted only upon consultation with the officers, and only if the acceptance of such funds is seen to be in accordance with the objectives of the organization outlined above.
:: Accountability
- The Funds shall only be used in conformity with the organization’s aims.
- In all cases the membership fee for the current year remains due. Members who have resigned or are excluded shall have no rights to any part of the Organization’s assets.
- Only the assets of the organization may be used to meet financial commitments. Members have no individual responsibility.
- The Committee members act voluntarily and can only be compensated for their effective and travel costs. Eventual fees cannot exceed that paid for official commissions. For activities exceeding the usual function, each committee member can receive appropriate compensation.
- The paid employees of the organization have only a consultative vote in the committee.
- The organization shall be validly bound by the joint signatures of the President, Financial Secretary and Secretary General.
- The Financial year shall begin on 1st July and end on 30th June of each year.
- The Financial Secretary is responsible for the finances of the association.
- The Auditor appointed by the General Assembly shall audit the organizations accounts every year.
Financial Reports: reports of the Finance Committee shall be made yearly at the General meeting. The General Assembly shall have the power to accept, or refuse to accept, the financial reports.
In the case of the association being dissolved, the assets should be allotted to a non-profit organization pursuing goals of public interest similar to those of the organization benefitting from tax exemption. The goods cannot be returned to the members, nor be used to their own profit.
:: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
The terms of this Constitution may be amended by resolution of sixty six per cent (66%) of the members present at a General Meeting: provided that proper notice of the meeting is given not less than twenty-eight (28) days prior to the date of the Meeting and such notice states the nature of the resolution to be proposed.
:: PRINCIPAL VALUES
A. Buddhism:
The spiritual life is an important aspect of our reality. In the world, the Buddhist and minority community, wherever they live, should transmit the teaching of Lord Buddha as a spiritual link among our community through all our history from centuries, beyond any border.
Wherever the Buddhist and minority community live, they should feel secure in the three refuges of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. We urge all Buddhist and minority community throughout the world to follow the teaching of Lord Buddha that we might share a common freedom and enjoy happiness and experience unity in a common belief.
B. Culture, Tradition and Heritage:
Language, Literature and Scripts are most important as, internationally, they are used as criterion to define the identity of a special group of human beings.
We request the Buddhist and minority community people to maintain attention and care of cultural, traditional and heritage issues and encourage their children to study our language and scripts carefully.
We appeal to the younger generations to learn our common traditions and observe them in practice as they live in different countries and states.
History is an important factor in the preservation of our peoples’ heritage.
We encourage our young people to research and seek advice and stories from our adults to keep alive our particular history for succeeding generations of Buddhist and minority community children wherever they may live in the world.
However preserving our traditions is not enough for its survival. Our culture has to be a dynamic living culture and we encourage Buddhist and minority community creativity in all aspects of the Arts.
C. Health
We need to do more work on health initiatives for greater solidarity in our communities and Bangladeshi all casts. Those who have the fortune to be healthy should help support those who are sick. Our common identity should be a reason for solidarity, without borders.
We need to act carefully to preserve and share our knowledge on these subjects so important in the daily life of each of us.
Instead of costly foreign medicine, which so many of us cannot afford, we need to transmit the valuable knowledge of our traditional herbal medicine to succeeding generations and enrich their practical knowledge.
D. Women’s Rights:
Buddhist and minority community women wherever they live should feel supported as they seek to create enhanced roles for themselves beyond the household roles of the past. Women in the modern world know no boundaries of restriction in education, employment, social initiatives, commerce and industry. With greater freedom comes greater responsibility and for mothers with working roles beyond the home we need to be mindful of their workloads.
Raising young people to have respect for adults, both men and women, is a two way process. Both parents need to share the workload of raising children to be good citizens.
The Buddhist and minority community of different countries should support the active promotion of women’s’ rights and such support starts at home.
The Voices of our women need to be heard. Every person deserves to experience satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment. Women form a valued part of our humanity.
E. Education:
Our children in different countries are the most important part of our community.
Each child is born with potential – physical, intellectual, social and spiritual. As a community, beyond countries and states, we have to feel, all of us, responsible for the education of the Buddhist and minority community children. Our future depends mainly on their education, in the long term.
We, the Buddhist and minority community people have to realize that we are interdependent. We need to have all kinds of professions within our community in order to contribute to modern society.
It is our common responsibility to educate our Buddhist and minority community children to enable them to participate with confidence in the societies of the future, having respect for all humanity and making a worthwhile contribution to the greater good wherever they may live.
Our children are now spread throughout diverse communities in different countries and states. We should promote youth meetings to encourage our children to participate, thus fostering unity and purpose in their lives.
We should encourage different voluntary organizations to play an important role regarding education within the Buddhist and minority community, regardless of discrimination by countries or states.
F. Ecology and Environment:
We have to bring practical knowledge to the Buddhist and minority community in each country and in the different states where we live regarding our responsibility to protect our environment. The future of our children depends on our awareness and attitudes.
As according to the teachings of Lord Buddha, we should recognize existence of life in all plants and hence, discourage deforestation in order to maintain ecological balance. This may be canvassed through mass media like newspapers, televisions, publishing books, songs, dramas, etc.
G. Human Rights:
Violation of Human Rights in different parts of the globe occurs in different ways. We raise our voices against violations of Human Rights anywhere in the world in all its different forms.
We stand in solidarity with those organizations that are committed to promote the respect of all human rights and protest against violations.
LIST OF THE TOTAL BUDDHIST MONASTERY IN BANGLADESH
Full list in Pdf File
Download link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hf435d3WGTVwXNrjH8CI9ixk-Y_NoiRZ/view?usp=sharing
Ln. Mr. Rinku Kumar Barua (Kollol)
President and International Humanitarian Ambassador
World Buddhist Association in Bangladesh (WBA)
Tel: +880-2- 222221758, 222226079, 222228458, 2222223951,2222223952
Cell No: +88-01881-655053
Fax: +880-2-222228458
Email: president@worldbuddhistassociation.org
Website: www.worldbuddhistassociation.org