Buddhism in Uganda, Africa

Buddhism in Uganda, Africa: ancient tradition of alms round

(Uganda Buddhist Centre) Dec. 8, 2023: Under the guidance of Bhante Buddharakkhita, Theravada African Buddhist monks and nuns at The Uganda Buddhist Centre go on alms round (pindapata) in Bulega Village, Garuga, Uganda. Their mindful steps with alms bowls in hands reminds us of our journey to liberation.

• 'It's not weird or foreign': the Ugandan monk bringing Buddhism to Africa – photo essay | The Guardian
• Religion in Uganda
• Buddhism in Africa

Africa: Buddhist "Fire and Water" ritual (video)

AFP, March 5, 2012; Wisdom Quarterly

(LINK) African Buddhists come together in Kenya with female Japanese master Shinso Ito, head of the Shinnyo En Order

More than 300 religious and spiritual leaders from around the world, Kenyan musicians, dancers, and tribal elders gather for Africa's first Buddhist "Fire and Water" ritual to nurture spiritual awakening.

Venerable (Bhante) Buddharakkhita, Uganda Buddhist Centre,
 is planting Dharma seeds in Uganda, Africa

Happy Kwanzaa (African Buddhists)

Annual Kwanzaa Founder's Message: As an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. Given the profound significance Kwanzaa has for African Americans and, indeed, the world African community, it is imperative that an authoritative source and site be made available to give an accurate and expansive account of its origins, concepts, values, symbols, and practice. More>>

• OfficialKwanzaaWebsite.org
• ProudBlackBuddhist.org (Introduction)
• Buddha the African (zenbuddhism.tribe.net)
• D.T. Suzuki: from an Introduction to Zen
• Africa: Buddhism Gaining Ground (WQ)

Black Buddhists?

Wisdom Quarterly
Are there really Black Buddhists? Of course! In fact, the Buddha's chief male disciple (who was foremost in spiritual mastery) was black. He was noted for being extremely dark-skinned, not African but a brahmin named Maha Moggallana. He was a beloved and enlightened monk who help establish the Dharma in India. Then as now Buddhism is open to everyone regardless of race or ethnicity or "caste" (socioeconomic status). Today, Bhante Buddharakkhita (pictured) is an excellent example of a Buddhist monk spreading the Dharma in Africa.

The Uganda Buddhist Centre in Kampala is a major initiative to secure a firm and lasting spiritual home for original Buddhist teachings and practice on African soil.

Ven. Buddharakkhita first encountered Buddhism in 1990, when he met Thai monks in India. He began practicing meditation in 1993. After living in Asia for seven years, he decided to continue his Dharma practice in the U.S.A., first in San Jose, California in the Burmese tradition then in West Virginia (Bhavana Society). He is the author of Planting Dhamma Seeds: The Emergence of Buddhism on African Soil and is founder of the Uganda Buddhist Centre.

(Go278) Ven. Buddharakkhita, who was born in Uganda, East Africa, learned from various masters in India, Burma, and the US and was ordained by the late Burmese monk Sayadaw U Silananda in 2002. In 2005, he founded the Uganda Buddhist Center, the first Buddhist Center in Uganda.

Buddhism in Africa has grown in major African cities since the 1970s. There has been a proliferation of distinct traditions: Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, Nichiren, and Tibetan. The Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order has erected Nan Hua Temple, the largest Buddhist temple and monastery in Africa, in the town of Bronkhorstspruit near Pretoria.

Another notable Buddhist center in the country is the Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal. The Nichiren Buddhist lay group Soka Gakkai International also has a community center in Parkwood, Johannesburg. A community of lay and ordained Buddhist practitioners live in the beautiful suburb of Blairgowrie/Rand-burg/Johannesburg at the Vajrapani Buddhist Centre and various other venues in Gauteng.

Ven. Buddharakkhita tours Connecticut

NOVEMBER 2009
Topic: Bringing wisdom into our daily life: The practice of insight knowledge. Exploring insight into impermanence, dissatisfaction, and selflessness.
Place: Hai An Pagoda, 255 Cherry St., New Britain, CT
Date: Nov. 12, Thurs, 6:30-8:30 pm

Topic: Approaching the Teachings of the Buddha: The Path to Happiness and Peace. A talk for people new to Buddhism.

Place: Phap Hoa Temple, 85 Prospect St., Vernon, CT
Topic: Nov. 18, Wed, 7:00-9:00 pm

3 Days Mindfulness Vipassana Retreat
Topic: Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Four Elements, breaking through self-delusion in Buddhism. All-level practitioners welcome. Flexible schedules of 1, 2, or 3 days attendance. Registration needed. Free meals for participants. Accomodation to Pagoda for accomodations.

Place: Hai An Pagoda, 255 Cherry St., New Britain, CT
Date: Nov. 13, 6:00 am-Nov. 15, 5:00 pm

• Information and registration: lovingkindnessinct@gmail.com

To help sow Dharma seeds in Africa, donations sent to the Uganda Buddhist Centre in Africa is greatly appreciated.

Africa: Buddhism Gaining Ground

What is African Buddhism?
Engaged Buddhists discussion (2/21/08)

And what is African Pureland Buddhism? These two questions tackle a delicate subject that cannot be answered straightforwardly. So it remains much of an open question. What we ask viewers and participants is to give their opinion/position/critique on:

• What is African Buddhism?
• What is African Pureland?
• Is there, or should there be, such a thing as African Buddhism?
• What would it entail?
• Who decides what African Buddhism is?

It is important to keep ethical principles in mind. Buddhism should not be propagated as a power structure seeking converts. The Dharma is shared as a mutual means of guidance to help end suffering. Share your ideas and suggestions on the topic for the benefit of the African socio-spiritual-cultural Continent at:

Bhante Buddharakkhita (Uganda), a Theravada Buddhist monk born in Uganda, East Africa. He became interested in Buddhism while he was a student in India in 1990. He was ordained by the late Sayadaw U Silananda. In 2005, he founded the Uganda Buddhist Centre in Kampala, Uganda, the first Buddhist Center in Uganda. He is the author of Planting Dhamma Seeds: The emerging Buddhism in Africa. He is also a resident monk in West Virginia (USA) at the Bhavana Society Forest monastery. Venerable Buddharakkhita's Vipassana Foundation profile can be found here (scroll down to the end).

South Africa (Wikipedia, WQ edit)

Buddhism has been gaining ground in South Africa. The country now comprises the largest Buddhist community in Africa. South Africa is also the base for organizations aiming to spread Buddhism in Africa, such as the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

History
Apart from various Buddhist groups brought to the Cape Colony from Southeast Asia during the 1680s, and the many indentured laborers brought to Natal from India during the latter part of the 19th Century (some of whom were Buddhist, and some of whom were Hindu who later converted to Buddhism once in South Africa), most Buddhists in South Africa are non-Asian converts.

Nan Hua Temple Complex, near Johannesburg, South Africa

Various Buddhist groups grew up in the major cities since the 1970s. There has been a proliferation of distinct Buddhist traditions since the mid-1980s. These include Theravada, Zen, Nichiren, and Tibetan schools. The Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order has erected Nan Hua Temple (pictured above), the largest Buddhist temple and monastery in Africa, in the town of Bronkhorstspruit near Pretoria.

Another notable Buddhist center in the country is the Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal. The Nichiren Buddhist lay group Soka Gakkai International also has a community center in Parkwood, Johannesburg.

A community of lay and ordained Buddhist practitioners live in the modern and tranquil setting in the peaceful and beautiful suburb of Blairgowrie/Randburg/Johannesburg. Classes open to the general public as well as structured study classes are held at the Vajrapani Buddhist Centre and various other venues in Gauteng. The center is run by the resident teacher Gen Kelsang Legden, who was ordained in the UK in 1997 by the spiritual director, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union.

A 2003 study estimated that in the late 1990s there were a total of 6,000 Buddhists in South Africa (3,000 of Asian ancestry) out of a total population of 42 million (or 0.01% of the total population). [Ref]

Notable South African Buddhists & Organizations

• Rob Nairn - Buddhist teacher, author, and popularizer
• Hout Bay Theravada Buddhist Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
• Emoyeni Retreat Centre, North West
• Lam Rim Buddhist Temple, Johannesburg
• Shantikula Buddhist Centre, Johannesburg
• Sat Chit Anand Buddhist Centre, Plettenberg Bay
• Buddhactivity Dharma Centres database
• Tushita Buddhist Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
• Vajrapani Buddhist Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Johannesburg Meditation Center