The origin : The World Fellowship of Buddhists ( WFB ) was founded on May 25 B.E.2493 (1950) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where representatives from 27 countries in Asia, Europe and North America (including Hawaii) met for this purpose. Nearly every school of Buddhism in the Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana traditions was represented by members of the Sangha as well as laity. This was probably the first time in the history of Buddhism that such a gathering was held. No Buddhist sect, school or organization was unwilling to attend the meeting. Thus founded, the WFB represents the common interests of Buddhists throughout the world numbering hundreds of millions.

The Aims and Objectives of the World Fellowship of Buddhists are

        1. To promote among the members strict observance and practice
           of the teachings of the Buddha;
        2. To secure unity, solidarity, and brotherhood amongst Buddhists;
        3. To propagate the sublime doctrine of the Buddha;
        4. To organize and carry on activities in the field of social, educational,
           cultural and other humanitarian services;
        5. To work for happiness, harmony and peace on earth and to
           collaborate with other organizations working for the same ends.
 

In order to achieve its Aims and Objectives, the World Fellowship of Buddhists shall

        a. Establish Regional Centres in countries, territories, or areas where there are
           appreciable numbers of Buddhists, whose belief in and pratice of Buddhism
           are free and unrestricted, or give recognition to any existing organizations
           as Regional Centres;
        b. Establish and maintain Dhamma-duta Centres throughout the world for the
           purpose of disseminating the teachings of the Buddha, promoting and
           encouraging practice and observance of the teachings of the Buddha;
        c. Establish and maintain, or assist in the establishment and maintenance
           of, such institutions as may be necessary for the study and propagation
           of Buddhism;
        d. Stimulate and promote active practice and observance of the principles
           of Buddhism;
        e. Organize and maintain, or assist in the organization and maintenance of,
           institutions for social, educational, cultural, and other humanitarian services;
        f. Act as a directing and coordinating authority amongst international
           Dhamma-duta Centres;
        g. Organize and promote exchange of missions, scholars and students between
           Buddhist countries; and
        h. Take such other steps as will be conductive to the promotion of its Aims
           and Objectives.

In pursuing the courses of action indicated at (a) to (h) above,
The World Fellowship of Buddhists shall refrain from involving itself directly
or indirectly in any political activity.

Record of Proceedings:  The 22nd WFB General Conference [2002]
 

The Presidents of The World Fellowship of Buddhists:
 
 

        1. DR. G.P.MALALASEKERA, SRI LANKA. B.E. 2493 - 2501 (1950 -1958)

        2. HON. U.CHAN HTOON, BURMA B.E. 2501 - 2504 (1958 - 1961)

        3. H.S.H. PRINCESS POON PISMAI DISKUL, THAILAND B.E. 2506 - 2527 (1963 - 1984)

        4. PROF. SANYA DHARMASAKTI, THAILAND B.E. 2528 - 2541 (1985 - 1998)

HEADQUARTERS :

        1. COLOMBO, SRI LANKA           B.E. 2493 - 2501 (1950 - 1958)

        2. RANGOON, BURMA                  B.E. 2501 - 2506 (1958 - 1963)

        3. BANGKOK, THAILAND           B.E. 2506 - up till now

                616 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 24, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
                Tel. (662) 6611284 - 90
                Fax. (662) 6610555
                e-mail : wfb_hq@truemail.co.th

OFFICE BEARERS

Hon. Presidents

1. Ven. Master Hsing Yung     (Chinese Taipei)
2. Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda     (Malaysia)
 

President :

1. H.E. Phan Wannamethee   (Thailand)
 

Vice-Presidents :

1. Ven. Panyavaro   (Australia)
2. Ven. Thich Phouc Tan   (Australia)
3. Dasho Sangay Wangchug   (Bhutan)
4. President of Buddhist Association of China   (China)
5. Ven. Dr. T. Dhammaratana   (France)
6. Mr. Friedrich Anton Reg   (Germany)
7. Chairman of JBF   (Japan)
8. Mr. Jang Woon Yang   (South Korea)
9. Most Ven. Choijiljab Dambajav   (Mongolia)
10. Mr. Loke Darshan   (Nepal)
11. Mrs. Mala William   (Sri Lanka)
12. Dr. Ananda W.P. Guruge   (U.S.A.)
13. Dr. Steven S.W. Huang   (Chinese Taipei)
14. Representative of Fo Guang Shan   (Chinese Taipei)
15. Lt. Gen. Chalom Wismol   (Thailand)
 

Executive Council Members :

1. President of WFB
2. Hon. Secretary General of WFB
3. Hon. Treasurer of WFB
4. Mr. Graeme Lyall AM   (Australia)
5. Rev. Gisei Tomatsu  (Japan)
6. Ven. Jinwol (Prof. Young Ho Lee)   (South Korea)
7. Mr. Goh Seng Chai   (Malaysia)
8. Mr. Padma Jyoti   (Nepal)
9. Dr. Yo Hsiang-chou   (Chinese Taipei)
10. Ven. Chao Chu   (U.S.A.)
11. Dr. Dao M. Le   (U.S.A.)

Chairmen of Standing Committees :

 1.Finance Committee
    Representative of JBF   (Japan)

 2.Publication, Publicity, Education, Culture and Arts
    Prof. Dr. Bikiran Prasad Barua    (Bangladesh)

 3. Dhammaduta Activities
    Mr. Nemsiri Mutukumara   (Sri Lanka)

 4. Humanitarian Services
    Mr. Khoo Kwan Hock   (Malaysia)

 5. Unity and Solidarity
    Mr. Henry Hien Dang   (Australia)

 6. Youth
    Mr. Anurut Vongvanij   (Thailand)

 7.Socio-Economic Development
    Ven. Ming Kuang   (Chinese Taipei)

 8. Women
    Mrs. Kanchana Soonsawat   (Thailand)

 9. Buddhist Pancasila Samadana
    Prof. Dr. Dong Ki Park   (U.S.A.)

Liaison Officer to UNESCO :

 Dr. Ananda W.P. Guruge (Sri Lanka)

Honorary Secretary-General :
 Mr. Phallop Thaiarry (Thailand)

Honorary Treasurer :
 Mr. Ambhorn Arunrangsi (Thailand)

Deputy Secretary-General :
Assoc. Prof. Pataraporn Sirikanchana, Ph.D.

Assistant Secretary-General :
Mr. Samarn Naruemityarn
 

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