The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) has announced that its International Young Bodhisattva Program, a two-week experiential-learning initiative for young leaders and social activists, is now open to prospective applicants. The upcoming program will be held under the theme “For Spiritual Resurgence & Social Transformation,” in collaboration with the Deer Park Institute in Himachal Pradesh, India, from 26 March–8 April 2026.
“The International Young Bodhisattva Program (IYBP) brings together young leaders from across Asia and beyond to explore how Buddhist wisdom can respond to today’s global challenges,” INEB said in an announcement shared with BDG. “Through meditation, dialogue, site visits, and community-building activities, participants will deepen their understanding of compassion and courage as tools for social change.”
The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) is a worldwide network of individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting and working toward social justice, environmental sustainability, and world peace. INEB emphasizes the importance of developing an ethical, Dharma-based approach to its work, 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.
“IYBP 2026 aims to empower participants to act with wisdom and purpose, equipping them with skills to engage their communities and create meaningful transformation,” INEB observed. “Next year’s program will be hosted at Deer Park Institute in Bir, a renowned center for Buddhist study and practice set amid the Himalayas.”
The IYBP 2026 program will be hosted at the Deer Park Institute, a renowned center for Buddhist study and practice and for the study of classical Indian wisdom traditions, in rural Bir, amid the Himalayas. The Deer Park Institute was established in 2006 on the campus of a former Buddhist monastic institute as a project under Siddhartha’s Intent Society, with the vision of recreating the spirit of the ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda, where all traditions of Buddhism were studied and practiced, alongside classical Indian philosophy, arts, and sciences.
IYBP applicants should be aged from 22–40 years old, and demonstrate a sincere interest Buddhist practice and meditation, personal transformation and leadership, social engagement and compassionate action, and building a network of like-minded change-makers.
Participants do not need to be Buddhist, but they must be open to learning and practicing in a Buddhist context. Since English is the medium language of instruction, participants must be fluent in English to fully engage in discussions and activities. The application deadline for IYBP 2026 is 1 November 2025.
Click here for full details and to apply
IYBP 2026 aims to blend inner cultivation with outer action, giving participants tools to awaken within and so that they may go forth and create change for the benefit of all. The program will include: meditative practice and reflection; panel discussions focused on learning from spiritual teachers, activists, and scholars; fostering meaningful connections across cultures to build communities and cultivate collaboration; and site visits to local communities and initiatives.
“The world needs leaders who act with both wisdom and compassion,” INEB emphasized. “IYBP blends Buddhist practice with real-world engagement, giving you tools to awaken within and create change outside. It’s more than a program—it’s a path to becoming a catalyst for transformation.”
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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International Network of Engaged Buddhists
INEB – International Network of Engaged Buddhists (Facebook)
Deer Park Institute
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