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Challenge the Gap (2011 Q2)
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The mission of Buddhist Global Relief (BGR) is to provide relief to the poor and needy throughout the world regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Bearing in mind the Buddha's statements that "hunger is the worst kind of illness" and "the gift of food is the gift of life," BGR especially focuses on providing food aid to those afflicted by hunger and lack of food security. Its long-range goal, however, is to combat all the manifestations of poverty that detract from the inherent dignity of human life. FBB reviewers were struck by similarities in the founding impetus of BGR and FBB. Both were created in part to put the highest aspirations of their respective worldviews into compassionate action for the betterment of our world. FBB is proud to welcome Buddhist Global Relief as the second beneficiary in our Challenge the Gap program. Why is a humanist foundation supporting a religious organization?
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In 2007, the American Buddhist scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi called attention to the narrowly inward focus of American Buddhism, which has been pursued to the neglect of the active dimension of Buddhist compassion expressed through programs of social engagement. Several of Ven. Bodhi's students who read the essay felt a desire to follow up on his suggestions. After a few rounds of discussions, they resolved to form a Buddhist relief organization dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poor and disadvantaged in the developing world.
