World Association of Theravada

World Association of Theravada (WAT)

This association is the product of the Seventh Buddhist Council and the First Theravada-Mahayana Council organized by the World Association of Buddhism (WBA) in 2014. Since that time, the World Association of Theravada (WAT) is founded, inviting Buddhists around the world to form a Board of this new partnership.

Statutes

1. WAT has the purpose of bringing together the laymen and Theravada monks.
2. Membership in WAT is free and open to Theravada Buddhists worldwide.
3. WAT find avoid sectarianism in Theravada Buddhism through the relationship with other Buddhist groups.
4. WAT spiritually validates to Mahayana, Vajrayana, Navayana and Maitriyana, considering them as a Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Way as valid as the first Way of Buddhism.
5. WAT promotes the vision of Gautama as a reconciliation of all Buddhist groups, so all his teachings should be preserved and transmitted.
6. WAT organize and support to Theravada Buddhist Councils in order to update its practice and theory in the world.
7. WAT provides ordinations to Theravada monks.
8. WAT offers Honorary Degrees to Buddhist Masters from other traditions and lineages.
9. WAT recognizes India as the birthplace of Buddhism, but at the same time it considers important the influence of Buddhism on the cultures of East and West.
10. WAT share compassionate wisdom to all mankind through the spiritual teaching.
11. Any donations received by WAT must be immediately implemented in social action or Engaged Buddhism.
12. The Dharma should be the guiding principle of WAT at any time and place.
13. Membership of an individual or group within WAT will be terminated before a disrespectful or impolite behavior.

14. The Board of Administration must have at least one member of Mahayana or Maitriyana Buddhism in order to promote Unity and Reconciliation among all yanas.

15. WAT promotes equality between man and woman inside Theravada Buddhism.

Activities (2014-2019)

1. WAT offers spiritual support to the project of construction of Buddhist Temples in India.

2. WAT has created a project of Free Education for all the Bhikkhus of the world, offering them the possibility of advanced Buddhist studies free of any charge, like studies in Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Psychology, Buddhist Politics, Buddhist Law and Theravada Spirituality, due to an international covenant.

3. WAT has participated in the International Buddhist Ethics Committee and Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights, constantly evaluating and judging the Bhikkhus behavior throughout the world.

4. WAT has participated in the creation of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON THE RIGHT TO WORLD PEACE.

5. WAT has created a project of Spiritual Degrees to great Buddhist Masters from the main traditions: Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (THERAVADA) , Master Thich Nhat Hanh (ZEN) , His Holiness Dalai Lama (VAJRAYANA) , B.R. Ambedkar (NAVAYANA) , Master Maitreya Samyaksambuddha (MAITRIYANA) .

6. WAT has received the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF BUDDHIST PEOPLES AND SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES.

7. WAT has become founding member of the UNITED BUDDHIST NATIONS ORGANIZATION, with Registry Number A032017.

8. WAT has participated in the EIGHTH BUDDHIST COUNCIL.

9. WAT is offering full scholarships to all the Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis of the world for the course of Buddhist Doctor in Theravada.