About MBF
Mon culture antedated Burmese culture and it was the Mons who imported Theravada Buddhism into Burma. The main concepts are the same with slight difference in rituals. Buddhism has two main forms Southern Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism) and Northern Buddhism (Mahayana Buddhism). Mahayana Buddhism is primarily in China, Tibet, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. Theravada Buddhism is in places such as Myanmar, Thai, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
The basic principles of Buddhism are based on the idea of cause and effect, or karma, and the goal of overcoming suffering and attaining self-realization, or Nirvana. Buddhism is non- theistic, meaning it has no god or deity. Buddhism teaches that everyone has the potential to manifest the qualities of courage, wisdom, and compassion, which are the essence of the Buddha nature. Buddhism also emphasizes the law of change or impermanence, and the need to face life as it is and learn from direct experience. Furthermore, Buddhism encourages the practice of generosity, kindness, and patience, which are part of the Dharma, or the teachings of the Buddha.
There are various beliefs in Buddhism that are centred around reaching enlightenment and ending suffering (also called dukkha) interchangeably refers to the sense of un- satisfactoriness/dissatisfaction, which the Buddha believed was ever-present. The Buddha taught that dukkha has various causes and effects. The idea of kamma (kamma is also known as karma) is that actions have consequences.
The Wheel of Life (Bhavachakra) represents the idea in Buddhism of life, death and rebirth. This idea is also known as samsara. Buddhists believe that what they are reborn as in future will depend on how they live their current life. For example, if a person lives a good life and has good kamma, they will be reborn into a better realm.
The connection between Myanmar people and Buddhism has been well researched. The Mon who are ethnics, were the first people in mainland Southeast Asia to adopt Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism was practised by a majority of Mon. Between the 6th and 9th centuries the Mon established several small Buddhist kingdoms within the area encompassed by present-day southern Myanmar and central Thailand. The Buddhist tradition, part of our culture’s background and history, carries a distinctive account of justice and practical rationality. The influence of Buddhist traditions in Myanmar’s moral conduct is crucial. Moral courage and virtue, fearlessness, and justice are shared by both Buddhist and liberal traditions.
Mon is one of the big ethnic group in Myanmar and have their own language, own culture and own literature (similar to the Welsh or Scottish living in the United Kingdom). Among Mon’s distinctive characters and traditions, Mon national dress and food are totally different from other ethnic’s traditions and cultures/costumes in Myanmar. But we all follow by Theravada Buddhism. Mon who peacefully live in Mon State in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) used to have its own kingdom which was then swept away by the armies of Burma.
Although Mon Buddhism is similar to other forms of Buddhism in connection with level of defining Buddhist principles and practising Buddhism within the region and abroad to promote awareness of the Buddhist principles while strengthening moral cultures, Mon cultures and tradition, has been well written. The Buddhist cultures and traditions practised by Mon has been regarded as consistent practice parallel to advanced social mobilisation.
Among Buddhist cultures in Myanmar, the two stand out are: merit-making and vipassana meditation which has been observed intensively practised by Mons. Most importantly, the proposed CIO will keep these as intended religious activities. Merit-making is the most common path undertaken by Burmese Buddhists. This path involves the observance of the Five precepts and accumulation of good merit through charity (dana, often to monks) and good deeds to obtain a favorable rebirth. The meditation path, which has gained ground since the early 1900s, is a form of Buddhist meditation which is seen as leading to awakening and can involve intense meditation retreats.
Mon are keen practitioners who like to keep practising and maintaining their traditions which intertwined with Buddhist tradition, wherever they go. This not only demonstrates the united strength of Mon through the existence of Mon Buddhist Temple/monastery in any country even if, they are minority in that particular country, but also, transforming theological and theoretical approach of Buddhism into practical approach which could have comprehensive benefit for all those individuals.
Our Vision
The objects of the Mon Buddhist Foundation are to promote and advance the Buddhist religion, with a particular focus on (but not restricted to) the Mon Buddhist culture, for the benefit of the public through any charitable means as the Trustees may from time to time decide, which may include, but are not restricted to, the following:
- the teaching, study or practice of the principles of the Buddhist faith with a particular focus on the Mon Buddhists; and/or
- the provision of a temple, centre or other place for worship; and/or
- to preserve, encourage and promote the culture of Mon Buddhists, its tradition and language; and/or
- the holding of meetings and/or public events; and/or
- producing and/or distributing literature to enlighten others about the principles of the Buddhist religion and/or Mon Buddhism; and/or
- to maintain close communication with and work in co-operation with other groups with the same or similar objects.
Our Mission
The organization will undertake activities to raise awareness of and disseminate the teachings of the Mon Buddhist culture and the Buddhist core values. Some examples of the proposed charitable activities include:
- Provision of a Sunday School – this will be designed to provide insight and information in the teachings of the Mon Buddhists with a particular focus on the Burmese culture, reading of literatures etc., These classes will be available to anyone interested in attending, subject to available spaces and resources of the CIO.
- The CIO plans to run meditation courses for the public to attend (via appropriate registration and subject to available spaces). It is intended these will be run 4 times a year for 5-7 days at a time. The courses will be free of charge to the attendees, including the provision of free food and accommodation. The overall aim will be to teach, study and practice the principles of the Buddhist faith and to enlighten the attendees in the religion and its practices.
- Performing rites and rituals (this could include taking refuge in the triple gem; practising dana (giving); cultivation of Therevada Buddhism; The Buddhist Rites of Passage; The Dedication of Merit (Punya)).
- Provision of literature and teachings to enlighten and advance the knowledge of the public in the Buddhist religion. This will include information being made available on the CIO’s website, leaflets and discussion meetings for the public.
- Holding events for the community and public to attend to advance the Buddhist religion – for example, the trustees will hold a day of celebration on the Mon National Day, which will include promotion of the Buddhist faith, provision of facilities for the community to come together, learn and be enlightened about the principles of the faith. They will also hold events for water and light Burmese festivals and Burmese New Year, and ceremonies for welcoming new arrivals/Monks.
- The trustees may also arrange to provide talks to business, community groups and/or schools. Where necessary, the trustees will ensure that the people running any courses, discussions groups or classes of any sort will be suitably qualified to do so, with the relevant experience in teachings and will also ensure where necessary, they are subject to DBS checks. The trustees are aware of other organizations running some similar activities to the proposed, however there are no available organizations on the South. The CIO intends to make these services and resources available to all the public locally in the South of England. They have researched the need and availability and believe that this will be a highly utilized service with many beneficiaries, and that the activities will have a positive impact and significant benefit for the beneficiaries and the wider general public.
Chairman Statement
MBF is the charity organization which aims to reunite all the people around the world in one place. At the moment we have an alliance with five countries which are the UK, USA, AU, NZ, JP and MM. MBF will mainly focus on empowering all the younger generation to maintain our Literature, culture and religion. helping and sharing with each other. We believe together we can be a part of the better world.
