General

The Object of the Society is to publish and make known the principles of the major Buddhist Schools and traditions and to encourage the study and practice of those principles. Today, still faithful to its Objects, the Buddhist Society provides classes and courses in the teachings of the major Buddhist traditions, as well as a general introduction to Buddhism and its historical development.
In the process of expanding and improving its Library it hopes that this will become an important national resource. The Society has established two Raymond M. Percheron Research Scholarships for research in Buddhist Studies to be awarded from time to time.
The Buddhist Society maintains an important London centre in Westminster where visitors from across the Buddhist world come and are made welcome. The Society is happy to work in concert with other Buddhist organizations in order to fulfil its declared Objects and generally to help and advise wherever possible. The Society remains small but active, encouraging as a matter of policy the establishment of independent parallel organizations.

History

Christmas Humphreys, who was to become a High Court Judge, was President of the society he founded until his death in April 1983. Over the many years of his presidency the Society flourished and became widely known and respected, both at home and overseas. In 1956 the Society moved to its present address at Eccleston Square and in that same year participated in the Buddha Jayanti, the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddhas Enlightenment celebrations in India. In 1961 His Holiness the Dalai Lama became Patron to the Buddhist Society, the first in the West to be so honoured. During these especially fruitful years the Society received many distinguished visitors, including Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan (1925), Their Majesties The King and Queen of Thailand (1966), and his Holiness the Dalai Lama in his capacity of Patron of the Buddhist Society (1973). Subsequently, His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a second visit in June 1996 as part of the Society's extended 70th anniversary celebrations.

In the early days, much emphasis was placed on publishing and some of the books published in that period remain in print today, notably our founder-presidents Buddhism: An Introduction and Guide, which, published by Penguin Books has been in continuous print since 1951. The tradition of publishing continues, with the Society acting the part of an occasional publisher. Especially noteworthy in this connection is the Society's internationally respected quarterly The Middle Way, as the earlier Buddhism in England, has a publishing history going back to 1926.

Our Patron

" The ultimate purpose of Buddhism is to serve and benefit humanity. I believe that since its founding seventy years ago the Buddhist Society has worked admirably towards making these ideals a reality. Converting other people to Buddhism is unimportant in comparison with the contribution we Buddhists can make to human society. The Buddha gave us an example of contentment and tolerance, through serving others unselfishly. His teaching is essentially to help others if you can, and if you cannot, at least not to harm them.
The Buddhist Society has remained true to its name, warmly open to all traditions of Buddhism. I am often asked whether the teachings and techniques of Buddhism, with its origins in Asia, are suitable for Westerners. Like all religions, Buddhism deals with basic human problems. So long as we continue to experience the basic human sufferings of birth, disease, old age, and death, there is no question of whether it is suitable or not. The key is inner peace. If we have that we can face difficulties with calm and reason, while keeping our inner happiness. The teachings of love, kindness and tolerance, the conduct of nonviolence, and especially the Buddhist theory that all things are relative are a source of that inner peace.
I offer my congratulations to the Buddhist Society on its seventieth anniversary with my prayers that your activities may continue to contribute to making a happier and more peaceful world."

May 4, 1996.

Representation

The Buddhist Society is aware that it operates in a rapidly-changing British society and world and where useful and appropriate it endeavours to respond. Following the recent, important change in the law affecting the content of Religious Education in county schools involving the teaching of the principle religions of the UK (Buddhism included), the Society increasingly helps teachers and pupils alike in gaining an understanding of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). As part of this work, the Society took a significant part in a project initiated by the Secretary of State for Education to provide model Religious Education syllabuses for the use of Local Education Authorities in the revision of the locally agreed syllabuses required under the law. Also in the field of education, the Society is represented on several Standing Advisory Councils, Religious Education (SACRE), statutory bodies which advise Local Authorities on all matters pertaining to the religious education of children. It is further represented on the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, an independent body with a wide advisory role. And in response to the need for authentic information on Buddhism that the change in the law has brought about, the Society has begun to publish educational material for use by schools and colleges.

The Buddhist Society is a member of the emerging Buddhist Network (UK) and publishes from time to time a Buddhist Directory covering the UK. Because of the Society's standing and special knowledge in this area it is frequently called upon to give help and advice to the BBC and other major news organizations. It also gives advice to publishers, as well as to visitors or callers who seek help or information.
The Buddhist Society is a member of the Inter-Faith Network for the United Kingdom and is actively involved in the interfaith movement. It participates in constructive dialogue with members of other faiths in different contexts. This is both to learn more about other faiths and especially to learn how to live together in friendship and harmony, working for the good of society as a whole.

The Buddhist Society is a member of the European Buddhist Union, the World Congress of Faiths, and the World Fellowship of Buddhists and sends delegates to international conferences from time to time. It is also represented on the British section of the United Nations Association and in touch with other organizations.
Some members of the Buddhist Society are involved in the work of Angulimala, a Buddhist prison chaplaincy organization, visiting and helping prisoners. The Society has also begun to gain valuable experience in the field of mental health through chaplaincy work related to two London hospitals.

Contacts

For further information and a prospectus please write, phone, fax or email the Society at:

The Buddhist Society,

58 Eccleston Square,

London SW1V 1PH

tel: 020 7834 5858 fax: 020 7976 5238

email: info@thebuddhistsociety.org

Opening times

The Society's premises are open to both members and non - members between 2 and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 2 - 5 p.m. Saturday.

Please Note: The Society is closed for a period during the summer and for Christmas vacation.  The dates for these closures are listed on the front page as soon as we have the details confirmed.

Map

Facilites

Lecture Hall	Entrance	Shrine Room	Library