The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) has announced that its 22nd biennial conference will be hosted in Taiwan in January by Xiang Guang Shan Temple—the principal temple of the Luminary International Buddhist Society (LIBS). The 22nd Biennial INEB Conference will be held under the theme “Wisdom and Compassion for Inclusive and Sustainable Societies through Education” from 13–17 January 2027.
INEB is a worldwide network of individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting and working toward social justice, compassionate societies, and world peace. INEB emphasizes the importance of developing an ethical, Dharma-based approach to its activities, and encourages members to work collaboratively and respectfully with individuals and organizations upon a foundation of shared values and aspirations. The network also advocates the importance of environmental sustainability and the responsible use of natural resources, and has promoted sustainable development practices in various communities.
“The 21st century is a time of unprecedented transformation—technological acceleration, climate change, migration, aging populations, and widening inequality are reshaping societies faster than our institutions can adapt,” INEB stated in an announcement shared with BDG. “Technological change in particular is reshaping how we relate to ourselves and to one another, and it cannot advance responsibly without a parallel cultivation of wisdom—insight into the interrelationship of all beings, compassion, and open-mindedness.
“[INEB’s 22nd biennial conference] explores how Buddhist wisdom and compassionate engagement can help address these challenges.” (INEB)
The conference will focus on awakening participants to the Buddhadharma as a living resource for personal and social transformation through reflection and action, with four main streams of engagement:
• Deepening understanding of inclusive, sustainable societies, and developing new programs in environmental resilience, pluralism, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
• Strengthening education for change through curricula, pedagogies, and training, grounded in contemplative practice, peer support, and interdependence.
• Promoting interfaith dialogue and collaboration on shared concerns.
• Celebrating the spirit of kalyana-mitra through reflection and collective learning.
The five-day conference program will include: a two-day retreat based on traditional Chinese monastic practices; study tours on the themes “Aging Society: Holistic Well-Being for the Elder and Hospice Group,” “Children Education and ecological sustainability,” “Huafan University: Six Art Skills and Tea Garden,” and “Migrant Workers and Social Development;” group sharing and discussions; and a public symposium on the conference theme.
Click here for full conference details and registration information
“The Buddhist tradition offers distinct pedagogical resources for contemporary learning: mental cultivation (bhavana), which cultivates insight alongside knowledge and skills; spiritual friendship (kalyana-mitra), a peer-support model of dialogue and mutual accountability; and the principle of interdependence as a conceptual foundation for teaching ecological consciousness and social inclusion,” INEB remarked. “The conference will explore how these resources can inform curricula, pedagogies, and training across monastic, community, and formal educational settings.” (INEB)
INEB was formed in 1989 by the renowned Buddhist scholar and activist Prof. Sulak Sivaraksa and a group of Buddhist leaders seeking to apply the Buddhist teachings and principles to contemporary social and political issues. Through its global network, INEB works to promote understanding, cooperation, and connection among inter-Buddhist and inter-religious groups, and to actively address urgent global issues such as human rights, conflict resolution, and environmental crises.
Headquartered in Bangkok, INEB has established a wide range of social projects and outreach programs across the region aimed at overcoming suffering and empowering vulnerable communities through the practice of the Dharma and social engagement—such as education and training programs, community development projects, advocacy and lobbying efforts, and interfaith dialogue.
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The 22nd Biennial INEB Conference (INEB)
International Network of Engaged Buddhists
INEB – International Network of Engaged Buddhists (Facebook)
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