Recognition of Buddhism as an official religion in non – Buddhist countries

The World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) is mandated in its Constitution to propagate the sublime doctrine of the Buddha (Article 3.3). A reasonable construction of this mandate empowers the WFB to take all possible lawful steps to facilitate the spread of the Buddha Dhamma in both Buddhist and non – Buddhist communities and countries world –wide.

It is estimated that there are now altogether between 1 and 4 Million Buddhists in Europe, the majority being in Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. Despite a commitment to ‘multi – culturalism’ and ‘religious pluralism’ in Europe, the official recognition of Buddhism is confined only to two States i.e. Russia and Austria.

This discriminatory treatment meted out to Buddhism in Europe and other parts of the world despite Buddhism being recognized as a global religion by the United Nations (UN) and a special day being allocated in the UN Calendar for celebration of Vesak ( Buddha’s birthday), must be reversed by active lobbying on the part of Governments of pre-dominantly Buddhist countries,  premier International Buddhist organizations such as the WFB  and well wishers.

Official State recognition to Buddhism in Europe would enable Buddhists to secure a place and standing in each European country and also avoid being subject to derogatory treatment such as categorizing Buddhists as being members of ‘sects’ and ‘cults’ among other things. It would also allow Buddhists certain rights such as access to the media, financial support, legal standing, and recognition equal to those of Christian Churches, and right to teach in a school. It would allow them the legal right to form voluntary societies as exclusive Buddhist Societies with membership restricted only to Buddhists.

The absence of State recognition to Buddhism in almost all European countries bar Russia and Austria functions as an impediment to the proper practice and development of Buddhism in Europe.

There are no public holidays for Buddhism or any other non – Christian religion in the Public Holiday calendar of European nations i.e. with a Christian heritage.

Even UK denies Official Recognition to Buddhism. It does not allow the construction of new Buddhist Temples. But allows Buddhists to occupy existing Buildings and use them for their religious functions. This is also true of several other West European countries.

However, despite restrictive laws, there is growing public acceptance and accommodation of Buddhism in several European countries including UK, France and Germany.