Buddhist Global Relief

Buddhist Global Relief is an organization of socially engaged Buddhists[1] with a mission to "combat chronic hunger and malnutrition"[2] founded by Bhikkhu Bodhi.[1][3]

History

When the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami happened, Bhikkhu Bodhi was moved to action.[4] He soon raised $160,000 with many dharma friends and when looking for charitable relief organizations he was dismayed to discover a dearth of Buddhist organizations.[4] Three years later, Bodhi authored an article in Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly entitled "A Challenge to Buddhists"[5] which urged American Buddhists to be more socially engaged.[2][4]

Inspired by the article, Bodhi with some of his students formally established Buddhist Global Relief in June 2008 and had it registered the corporation in New Jersey.[4]

Programs

BGR works to create long term solutions for ending poverty and hunger as well as focusing on women's education and economic power worldwide.[6]

BGR has partnered with Helen Keller International to provide sufficient micronutrients to people in Niger and Mali.[4] Since 2009, BGR has partnered with Lotus Outreach to create "Food Scholarships for Girls to Stay in School" in Cambodia.[7] BGR was one of the 40 groups which pledged to work with "Tomorrow Together", a coalition created to promote a five-year initiative to encourage unity, empathy, and service each year on 9/11, through to the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in 2021.[8]

After the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, BGR made an emergency donation of $10,000[9] which was distributed among five charities: UNICEF, CARE, Direct Relief, Oxfam America, and the International Medical Corps.[10]

BGR was one of many organizations[11] which has attempted to aid Syrian Refugees.[12] As of December 2015, they donated $12,000 to be split among 6 charitable causes.[13]

To raise funds for their programs, BGR holds annual "Walks to Feed the Hungry" which take place in cities across the United States.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Emmanuel, Steven M. (2015). A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy. John Wiley & Sons. p. 527. ISBN 9781119144663.
  2. 1 2 "Our history, vision, and mission". Buddhist Global Relief. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Buddhist Global Relief". Secular Buddhist Association. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Miller, Andrea (August 3, 2011). "Profile: Buddhist Global Relief". Lion's Roar. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  5. ↑ Bodhi, Bhikkhu (September 1, 2007). "A Challenge To Buddhists". Lion's Roar. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Pope, Shelby (October 9, 2015). "Fighting World Hunger The Buddhist Way: Walk to Feed the Hungry with Buddhist Global Relief". KQED. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Buddhist Global Relief". GuideStar. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  8. ↑ "New National Initiative, Tomorrow Together, Promoting Unity, Empathy and Service Launches Today In Recognition of 15th Anniversary of 9/11". PR Newswire. August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Watch: How Buddhists are helping after the Earthquake". Lion's Roar. May 5, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Responding to the Massive Earthquake In Nepal". Buddhist Global Relief. April 27, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  11. ↑ Guyjoco, Chiqui (July 1, 2016). "600 multi-faith volunteers show up in New York to pack aid supplies for Syrian refugees". The Christian Times. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Volunteers from range of faiths aim to help Syrians". San Antonio Express News. July 2, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  13. ↑ "How are Buddhists responding to the refugee crisis?". Lion's Roar. December 16, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
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