Minutes Tbsuk, 3Pm On August 20Th At Amaravati

Committee present:-

1. Ven. Chao Khun Bhavanaviteht (Luangpor Khemadhammo) (chairman),
2. Ajahn Amaro (Amaravati, newly elected to the committee)
3. Phrakru Panyasudhammavites (vice chairman, Thai),
4. Phramaha Sangthong Dhammacaro (Secretary, Thai),
5. Ajahn Vajiro (Amaravati)

Members present:-

1. Phramaha Pranom Thongphaiboon (Buddhavihara, Kings Bromley)
2. Phra Camnong Cattamalo (Buddhavihara, Kings Bromley)
3. Phra Aod Bounyoung (Wat Santiwongsaram, Birmingham)
4. Phra Surin Manyam (Wat Santiwongsaram, Birmingham)
5. Phrakrupalad Sutas Amarasuddhi (The Buddhapadipa temple, London)
6. Phramaha Somchai Wirawat (Wat Buddharam, London)

The general meeting of TBSUK was started with a lot of apologies; members, monks, from many temples did not come. This meeting happens two times a year, March and August, and it is important for Buddhism and the Sangha in the UK which all of members should bear in mind and make an effort to support.

The first issue was the committee election. One third of committee members must stand down every year but may stand for re-election. Ajahn Vajiro stood down and was re-elected. Another to stand down was Ven. Chanderbodhi who was not present, in his stead Ajahn Amaro was elected to the committee. It was agreed that 3 members must be present for a committee meeting to be quorate.

The second issue was raised by Phrakru Panyasudhammavites (Ajahn Loa) and concerned the bringing of Thai monks to help Buddhist communities in the UK. It is really tough and more complicated now, as the TBSUK discussed before. The problem increases as many monks, including visitors, were refused visas. Every visa application form needs more and more documents and financial statements to cover the trip to the UK. Ajahn Aod said, “The form is itself complicated and if one monk makes a mistake in filling form, he can be banned for 10 years. But luckily he could appeal and correct his application form.” We should also be aware that if the visa application fails, the applicant loses money. Buddhist monks must give the importance to English knowledge now, even if tier 5, religious worker does not require English. They cannot ignore it.

Phrakru Panyasudhammavites made the strong point that Thai monks, who come to the UK to help Buddhist communities, mostly hold Thai Official Passports, which is approved by the Thai monk organization in UK, the Sangha Supreme Council in Thailand and the Thai government. Not every Thai monk can hold this kind of passport. Those who have it must have been trained for many years. He said, “Is there any way that the Home office, TBSUK, Thai Embassy and the Thai monk Organization can have a meeting to find the proper solution?” Luangpor Khemadhammo said that he would try to help organize the meeting. It might be good for all Buddhist communities if this problem can be sorted out.

The third issue concerned how in the UK, children/students are learning Buddhism in school. They should have right information, or background knowledge about Buddhist way of life. Now the Buddhist handbooks do not cover all Buddhist traditions and TBSUK should write the Buddhist handbooks to meet, or cover Buddhist background knowledge, which should come from the Buddhist monks who have real experience. Ajahn Vajiro said that he would contact the Dhamma school and find the lists of Dhamma which cover what children/students should know about Buddhism. Ajahn Sangthong also offered to have a look at Thai Buddhist handbooks for children/students in Thailand so that British children/students can learn the Right Buddhist Way of Life. It can benefit them if they have right knowledge, so that they can make use of it.

The last issue raised was about the Dhamma study and examination. The Buddhapadipa temple has run this for three years now and it could be good for English/non-Thai speakers who are interested in Dhamma study and examination. They can have an English Dhamma handbook which contains four subjects, Buddhist history, Dhamma, Buddhist Discipline and essay. They can study at home/meet a teacher at the temple when they have questions/do not understand at any point. The examination will take place on the 2 Sunday of June 2011. It is good opportunity to test their understanding of Dhamma. Luangpor Khemadhammo and Ajahn Vajiro asked for the examples of examination papers. And Ajahn Lao said that he would send them.

Finally, the meeting went well to an end; Luangpor Khemadhammo closed the meeting and said thanks to all members who attended. Some issues were left as they are still difficult and complicated. It needs time, good co-operation, unity and harmony. Therefore, we need to meet, brainstorm and share our ideas. See you next meeting.

The next meeting, General Meeting, at 3 pm on 9^th of March 2011

The Buddhapadipa temple
14 Calonne Road
Wimbledon
London
SW19 5HJ
Tel: 0208 9461357
Fax: 0208 89445788
www.buddhapadipa.org
e-mail: dhammacaro@yahoo.co.uk