Amitabha Buddhist Society (India)
Amitabha Buddhist Society is one of the upcoming non profit making, Non–Government Organization (NGO). It is Registered under Bombay Public Act 1950 and our Registration No. is E-5597 (pune) dated 27/12/2010. it is also registered under Income Tax Act 1961(80G) for exempting the donations received; and Registration No. are Reg. u/s. 12AA (1) (b) : PN/CIT–I/Reg./12A (a)/300/2010-11 and Reg. u/s. 80 G : PN/CIT-I/80G/359/2010-11.
We Are
It is said that "Vision that leads to action, can make a strongest nation"..
Our India is the largest country in the world where maximum variety of man, mannerism, cult, culture, cast, traditions, and lifestyle which differ from place to place. Still we are together for more than 5000 years. India is covered with mountains, lands and there is full of variety and diversity, but still unique part about India is that, we are united.
In spite of hundreds of wars, variety in cast, customs, cultures, classes, one strongest power of Indian Culture is that our Indian culture is common. We are Indian and we believe in harmony. We believe that money is means for life and not AIM. Satisfaction, peace of mind is the AIM of human being.
With this strong faith, we are associated for years together. We practice different ideologies, religious beliefs, but our thinking is common that, religion is nothing but way of life. Acceptance and adjustment with each other is our natural, national and notional lifestyle. As a result we are always processing and progressing from time to time.
In the largest Democratic pattern, we have revolutionarily progressed in the areas of social, economic, academic, agriculture and science in the last 100 years period.
Government, Non–Government, social, political and religious institutions have accepted various challenges and proven our unity, harmony and homogeneity.
It believes that Indian youth can do anything and everything in the world. So we will arrange permanent vocational guidance (VGP) in the trust premises only. We will provide all the required assistance, guidance, cooperation, direction, motivation and everything that is required for youth development. We will take care of developing patriotism in youths. In addition there will be programs for spiritual developments of minds by way of Buddhism, Yoga, meditation etc. We will guide youth about the concepts like what is ultimate truth, what is happiness, and satisfaction etc.
Nation’s youth is not our property but it is nation’s entity. Development of minds with positive, creative, persuasive approach will be possible with continuous efforts only. Quality can not be an accident. But it is the result of continues directive efforts. So ABS will take massive efforts on the masses (youth) residing near the trust area, by way of organizing and coordinating programs time to time.
Vision
Our India is a fast developing country. By the year 2050, our country will be a super power. It will no longer be a developing country. All other nations will be looking at our country for guidance to prosperous development. That will be a proud moment for all we Indians. We will be self sufficient in all respect. But this is not the true picture of our society. However we be economically sound, there is a part of the society still be living under poverty line. The fruits of development will be visible in urban areas. But the population of rural areas will still be starving. That is the matter of concern. This is what we have observed. All those people are they not our brothers and sisters? Do they not have right to prosper? But their social conditions are so weak that unless someone help them, they are helpless and can not stand on their own feet. The gap between the rich and poor will still be widening. This gap can be minimized, if someone will understands what are the causes of this gap and put up the efforts to improve the social conditions of these people.
We, the members of "Amitabha Buddhist Society" had undertaken a survey of small section of a rural area near Pune and studied the needs of those people. They are ignorant, illiterate and unaware of any social reforms. They still live in the most primitive manner. They do not have any facility to improve their living conditions due to non availability of such resources and knowledge. And even if they have, they do not know how to use it. We have undertaken this activity voluntarily and with humanitarian consideration. We have taught them to values of health and hygiene, new methods of cultivation for better yield, developing kitchen garden to cater nutritious food for reducing health problems, water harvesting and important of all the preservation of plants and trees to maintain ecological balance. The use of non-conventional energy sources eg, solar energy, wind energy and hydro energy. By following simpler techniques, the living conditions can be improved to a better level. We have developed a strong bond among these people and ourselves. They are now hopeful that yes, there are some groups who do care for them. There are organizations to support them. They are now anxious and eager to learn more things for their better living. They do not want charity, but want to learn new techniques so that they can stand on their own legs and do their own developments.
ABS has found our destination. To serve the mankind is service to God. By this small survey, we have seen a large section of poor people await for such bare minimum developments to improve their living conditions. We are committed to help them out. This is not an easy task. But with proper workout and cooperation from all sections of our society, we are sure that we will reach our destination. We belong to this society and it is our duty to help that oppressed class of our society to improve their living conditions. This is the teaching of Buddhism. Once the physical needs are satisfied, to attain Nirvana is not difficult. This is the spiritual state of mind which every human being desire to attain in the end.
Mission
Amitabha Buddhist Society knows their destination. We know what we have to achieve. Our planning and working methods are based on logical, scientific, technical, and humanitarian consideration. Many eminent personalities had stressed that unless the social standards of the of the poor in our country are improved, then only we can have a cultured society. At present there is no social value to the poor. Ignorance, illiteracy, orthodoxies, lack of skill and job opportunities prevail in the poor. These are the areas where we want to concentrate our improvement activities.
Ignorance: During our social survey in a nearby village of Pune, it was observed that those people were unaware of so many simple ways and means of general hygiene, cooking, water storage, waste management, kitchen garden, use of natural resources available around them. It was shear out of ignorance. Once some simple tricks were shown and explained to them in preservation of good health, cooking methods, storage techniques, use of natural resources, they were astonished and requested to teach them more about all other things, which will make their life simpler. ABS is aware that once, if some hard work outs of their daily life are reduced, they will have confidence in us and then they will accept us as their good friends. It will be easier then to take away their ignorance.
In city ABS knows that on State level lots of research and experiments are done to reduce human efforts and make the living simpler. The use of solar electricity, biogas generation for cooking, rain water harvesting, use of modern methods of agriculture for increase in agricultural output, simple tools and gadgets, good sanitation system, low cost housing, Govt. schemes for various rural development activities are available. But the rural population is not aware of it. We wish to pass on this information to rural areas so that they can take the advantage of those methods to improve their living conditions.
Illiteracy: Illiteracy is the main hurdle in any development. This is mainly due to non availability of educational institutions, competent teaching staff, parents’ negative attitude, lack of interest for study among students and there are many more excuses. Though this scenario is changing a bit know, but the agony is that the students are not allowed for higher education. In fact education is the door of knowledge. Simply the reading and writing is not enough. The modern technology is the success of development. The modern technology does evolution to improve our living conditions. They provide the knowledge to make us understand what exactly is happening around us. What is available for our improvement. How much it is useful to us. How it has created job opportunities. What are the minimum educational standards required if we have to get good job opportunities. ABS wishes to bring about changes in the minds of these people by motivating them; we wish to create interest among the students by removing the fear of study from their minds. Once they understand that their standard can be raised if they study more and more, the fear for study will be rooted out of their minds. We are committed to do that.
Orthodoxies:This is a virus which is destroying the social health. There are so many wrong believe which are big hurdles in the path of progress. Some old concepts are being followed from generation to generation. Perhaps those concept may be useful in ancient times, but in the present era, they have to be tested on social and scientific footing. If a person is ill, it is considered as the anger of evil power. Girls need not study more, as they have to just look after household affairs after marriage. The spread of any epidemic is considered as curse of god. Such type of belief is harmful for development of the society. This is mainly because these people have never gone out of their sphere to out side world. They are not aware of how similar types of situations are tackled by outside world. What they consider as incurable, is in fact curable in outside world. For every incidence, there is a logical or scientific reason and for every problem, there is a solution. Orthodoxies are still followed in many parts of our country and we read about it in the newspaper occasionally. We the members of ABS will try to take out patiently and skillfully the wrong practices followed by these rural people and teach them the logical and scientific approach to find solution to any problem.
Unemployment: Economic growth is the key to the success of development. The present status of the social environment is that the gap among rich and poor is quite large. Most of the poor are in rural areas. Lack of education, skill, and job opportunities are the causes of unemployment. The educational and technical talents are available in rural population. What they lack, is proper guidance and opportunities. Once the educational needs are fulfilled, concentration will be focused on development of vocational skills among the artisans. Self employment is best option in this environment. There are various trades and courses now available which are helpful in promoting self employment. These people have their traditional skills in crafts and textiles. By exploring market for their products, they can encash their crafts. Luckily, now a days, the movement of ‘Bachat Gat’ is quite strong in rural areas. Govt. is also offering all financial help to ‘Bachat Gat’ for economic growth of rural population. And many have taken good advantage of it. There are also many Govt. schemes for rural development activities. However the stress will be made to use the raw material from locally available resources. This will reduce the cost of raw material. The Govt. is organizing many training program for rural development. ABS will take the advantage of this, and encourage the rural population to take part. For economic growth, spiritual faith is always helpful. We have faith in Buddhism. Lord Buddha’s teaching has helped mankind to grow. This is not orthodoxies, but a world wide proven fact. We are sure that their spiritual faith in Buddhism will help them in their social development also.
Strategic
Amitabh Buddhist Society is formed for Rural Development and poor class of society. The development is not limited for social, economical, educational, environmental, agricultural development, but it is also interested in development of human relationship and bond; and spiritual development. The combined effect of development in all these areas of a human being will provide him peace of mind. To achieve this, a systematic study and planning was made. The following methodology was adopted in planning.
- Identification of Problem: A regular survey team was organized and surveys were conducted in different rural areas. By way of discussion with rural population, their local problems and difficulties were recorded. Their expectations were also noted down.
- Scrutiny of Problems: All the problems were scrutinized and grouped as economical. Social, educational, environmental, health, agricultural etc. The possible solutions to the problems were assessed after discussions with experts in the fields. Accordingly, the priority of work schedule was made for implementation.
- Economic Consideration: To implement any scheme, strong economic back ground is needed. Considering the nature of problem, the requirement of funds was worked out. Being a social activity, mere availability of funds is not sufficient, unless there is a band of volunteers to implement the development scheme.
- Funds: Economy is the foundation of development. Without economic support development is not possible. We hope to raise the finds by appealing to the people at large. There are many donors and trusts ready to help for a noble cause. There are also various Govt. schemes for rural development. We will try to get the financial help from such schemes. Banks also give loans at nominal interest rate for such social activities. Govt, subsidies are also available for agricultural and environmental protection schemes. We wish to take the advantages of such schemes.
- Volunteers: To fight a war against poverty, a large army of volunteers is needed. Luckily, in our society there are many people of different age groups, ready to work as volunteer in such social activity. We have a group of such volunteers with us. If we make an appeal to the people, we are sure that many more will join us in this social cause.
- Training: For any vocational trade, training is very important, once we identify the talents available in local population, we will plan a suitable training program to develop traditional skill in artisans, for a salable finished product. This will fetch them good return in terms of money.
- Spiritual Development: This will be the last stage of development. Once the basic needs are satisfied then a person needs better health and soul. We have planned a yogic and spiritual development plan. Our belief is in Buddhism. It has solutions to all human agonies. It is related to spread the message of human bond among the people. Ultimately a healthy society remains in a healthy spiritual atmosphere. We will be organizing regular yogic classes in rural areas. We will also explain them the teaching of Lord Buddha for development of positive attitude and brotherhood. A good feeling for each other will make the society culturally strong.
Belief & Approaches
Amitabh Buddhist Society’s main objective is to serve the humanity as per teachings of Lord Buddha. We wish to open a new world in rural region. Our intention is to work in rural region to spread socialism, to provide educational base, protection of environment and spiritual development as per the teaching of Lord Buddha. We wish to provide job opportunities, business openings as well as to develop a good infrastructure for good commutation in rural region. We wish to reduce the difference between rural and urban region.
As per Buddhism, pains and sorrows are main drawbacks of human developments. As long as they prevail in society, human race can not develop. This is the universal truth. We were thinking how the pains and sorrows can be reduced to improve the conditions of rural population, who are the most sufferers. After analyzing the situation we realized that unless the economic conditions of poor rural population is improved, the pains and sorrows can not be reduced. We are aware that to root out poverty is a national problem. We can not do miracle of elimination of poverty on our own. But if we could improve the conditions of a small section of the society, then it will be an act of sharing a national responsibility. Our intensions are national, social, regional and spiritual. We want to serve mankind and nation.
Food is the basic requirement of any living thing. In rural region, agriculture is the main profession. People use their traditional methods for cultivation. The yield of crop what they get is insufficient to meet their basic need. That results into starvation. How can one expect anyone to work hard with half empty stomach? Nation wide researches are being made to increase the yield of crops. If this knowledge is shared with rural people, then they will be benefited. Our attempts are to make rural people self sufficient in agriculture profession, by introducing latest techniques.
To increase the family income, there are various means available now. Along with agriculture, side by side poultry, piggery, sheep breeding, traditional cloth weaving, handicraft making activities can provide additional sizable income to the rural families. They have a natural talent in them for traditional art and culture. We wish to promote that skill in them by arranging advance training program to promote the skill and also arrange for market for their finished products. This is the generation of self employment.
The nature has blessed us with lots of free sources of energy, but we are unaware of that. The wind, solar and biogas energies are the examples of non conventional energies. We wish to introduce these latest technologies in rural region to save the traditional use of timber firewood for fuel. Biogas and use of compost manure will provide a cleaner and pollution free environment. Indirectly our emphasize is to make an Eco friendly community.
Health and hygiene are common problems in rural region. Lot of superstitions and lack of health facilities are there. We wish to arrange proper health camps and develop medical awareness in them.
By concentrating our activities in the above mentioned areas, we are hopeful of minimizing sorrow and painful conditions in rural region. We are inspired by the principles of Buddhism and wish to put into practice by working for people of rural region.
Contact information
Landline No: +91 020-20250010
Cell No. : +91 95277 25596
Email : info@amitabhasociety.org
Web address: http://amitabhasociety.org
