The Seminar on "How to Teach Vipassana Meditation to Westerners Organized By

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1 The Seminar on "How to Teach Vipassana Meditation to Westerners Organized By Office of National Buddhism, Mahachula University, Nong khai Campus, the International Buddhist Association in America (IBAA) 1. Project Name: Seminar on "How to Teach Vipassana Meditation to Westerners. 2. Rationale The Lord Buddha had sent out Buddhist monks to spread his teachings of Buddhism to the world over 2600 years ago. Today, the missionary of the Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism are still carrying on this important task. As the pressures of modern life create an ever increasing stressful and chaotic environment to the individual all over the world, the teachings of the Lord Buddha becomes ever more relevant to learn and practice in order to gain individual inner peace and harmony in society everywhere. Recognizing that Vipassana meditation can be the key to inner tranquility, the Council of Thai U.S.A, together with the Office of National Buddhism, Maha Chulalongkorn University College and the International Buddhist Society of Washington, DC, has come together to organize a workshop that will gear the teaching of vipassana meditation specifically to Westerners. In addition, this seminar is being organized to mark the occasion of the coming together of the AEC as well as to mark the occasion of His Majesty the King 87th Birthday Anniversary, and HRH Princess Sirindhorn s 60 th Birthday Anniversary. 3. Objectives 3.1 To develop new skills and insights for a more proactive and modern Buddhist missionary to the international community 3.2 To create an opportunity for an exchange of ideas among Buddhist monks living all over the world To allow both Thai and international missionary ministry to come together to celebrate a day that is an important day in Buddhism and re-dedicated themselves to the Lord Buddha. 3.4 To provide continued support in the development of Thai Buddhist missionary overseas, as well as domestic support for Buddhist in Thailand to be ready for AEC and the use English to communicate. 1

2 3.5 To organize activities celebrating 2559 years of Buddhist enlightenment and celebrating His Majesty the King s 87 th Birthday and HRH Princess Sirindhorn s 60 th Birthday. 4. Goals and Results 4.1 Qualitative goals 1) the Buddhist missionary becomes more skillful at proactively spreading the teachings of the Lord Buddha 2) the Buddhist missionary gains insights through exchange of ideas 3) Lay foundation for a successful plan of actions for missionary work overseas 4.2 Quantitative target = 500 participations 1) 100 oversea Thai Buddhist monks 2) 100 international Buddhist monks 3) 50 government representatives, academics both Thai and international 4) 100 worshipers from countries around the world. 5) 150 novice monks, students, and general public 5. Activity = 5-7 days 1) 2 days - intellectual seminar on aspects of Buddhism 2) 3 days application through meditation and religious chanting 3) 2 days pilgrimage along the Mekong River 6. Date, time and place Date (the week before Maka Bucha Day),. 1) Opening ceremony and advent of intellectual seminars and conferences on Buddhism at Maha Chulalongkorn University College. Nong Khai campus.. 2) Demonstration and practice meditation the University of Nirvana at Wat Na Luang Apinyatasittadham, Udon Thani 7. Plan and Operations. 3) Pilgrimage to Buddhist temples along the Mekong River both sides of Thailand and Laos. Activities Date Agency hosts / Budget Source 2

3 1. Preparation (Planning) 1.1 Meeting to discuss guidelines and procedures 1.2 Written proposal submitted to President of Office of National Buddhism to seek approval and support 1.3 Drafting of Implementation Plan by (Online) 1.4 Appointment of 1.5 First, second and third meeting of 1.6 Delegating of tasks by 1.7 Funding and resources to implement project 2. Implementations Completing paperwork and action plan Sending invitations and applying for necessary permits Registration and confirmation process Lecture on seminar topic How to teach Vipassana Meditation to the Westerner" August 25, Week of August 1, August October November December January January party, Demonstration and practice on Vipassana meditation Pilgrimage to pagoda on the Mekong River in Laos Pilgrimages to pagodas and temples in Thai side of the Mekong River Vientien, Laos Bhodhichai Temple Prathartpanom Temple 3

4 8. Budget Summary of Seminar and celebration of Visakha Bucha 3 Feedback 3.1 meetings August 3.2 Distribution of questionnaire November 4. Promotion of Event Venues: radio, television, distribution of brochures, cd, internet, website Types of Expenses Sources: government agencies, private and public donors, and registration fees from participants, for the following expenditures: Quantit y Cost Per Person /Unit 1 Meals 500 Bht Snacks and beverages 500 Bht Accommodations 500 Bht Days Total Cost in Baht 4 Transportations (speakers and 30 Bht 29,000 Roundtrip Bht 870,000 members) 5 Decoration of stage, lighting, and sound equipment 5 Bht 25,000 3 Bht 375,000 used in the symposium. 6 Vehicle Rental (A/C) 100 Bht 10,000 7 Bht 100,000 7 Honorarium for Speakers 5 Bht 25,000 3 Bht 375,000 8 Donations to ceremonial monks 30 Bht 1,000 Bht 30,000 9 Memorial gifts and booklets 500 Bht 500 Bht 250, Public relations fee 1,000 Bht 10 Bht 10, Photo printing 500 Bht 5 Bht 2, Sound system & electricity 5 Bht 5,000 3 Bht 75, Labor for cleaning and set up 15 Bht Bht 22, Fee for event coordinator Bht 20, Setting up meeting 10 Bht 500 Bht 5, Printing/copying of documents 500 Bht 50 Bht 2, Miscellaneous 50,000 Bht 50,000 NOTE: Each item can be paid per person/unit. 9. Responsible Organizations Members of the that oversee this project were appointed by the following organizations: 9.1 Mahachula University, Nong khai Campus 9.2 The 4

5 9.3 International Masters of Vipassana Meditation 9.4 Office of National Buddhism 9.5 Nirvana University, Apinyatasittadham, Udon Thani The coordinating organization is the 10. Assessment and Reporting 10.1 survey through questionnaire 10.2 summaries of meetings of the 10.3 general observations 10.4 interviews 11. Expected Outcomes 11.1 Buddhist monks, both Thai and international, will gain new strategies to proactively spread the wisdom of Buddhism in accordance to the ever rapidly changing world 11.2 Provide a venue for the exchange of new ideas and information for the advancement of the Buddha teachings to a larger audience 11.3 Provide an opportunity for Buddhist to celebrate Makha Bucha and to promote to the world the importance of this day as the day to remember the Lord Buddha and his teachings 12. Contacts U.S.A 1. Phra Kru Siriatthavides,Secretary-General of CTU., Tel. (301) (office) and (301) (cell) smuch08@live.com, t_inthisan@hotmail.com Mahachula University, Nong khai Campus 1. Pra Rajrattanalongkorn, Vice Chancellor Office of National Buddhism 1. Mr.Vichai Thibarak Tel Project Coordinator 1. Phrakru Sudhidhammathorn (Ampol Suthiro) PhD., Faculty of Humanities, Mahachula University, Nong Khai Campus, Tel , ampol09@gmail.com 2. Dr.Suawakhon Chanphongsri Educational Supervisor, Cholburi Province tonopoa@yahoo.com 5