Buddhist Teachers in Europe
We are a network of experienced Buddhist teachers.
Communication and Understanding through meeting each other personally
The purpose of the Network is to facilitate open communication and understanding between European Buddhist Teachers of all Traditions.
There is no leader, the emphasis of the network is on the development of peer relationships.
The Network aims to build relationships and have a sense of continuity through ongoing contact.
New members are invited by consent of the Organising Committee. Hence the network does not claim to be representative of European Buddhism, though it comprises teachers from most countries in Europe and from many traditions. Criteria for membership of the network can be found here.
The Inspiration
The inspiration for the network came from a meeting in 1993 held in Dharamsala, India, between His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and a group of Western dharma teachers from the major Buddhist traditions in Europe and America.
The aim of the meeting was to discuss a range of issues concerning the transmission of Buddhadharma in the West. The following themes emerged:
- a responsibility to work towards creating a better world for all forms of life
- avoidance of divisive sectarianism within Buddhism
- the need to affirm the equality of the sexes
- the relevance of contemporary psychological understandings of the mind
- the need to advise students of Buddhism to exercise care in choosing authentic teachers
- the importance of the highest standards of ethical behaviour from teachers towards their students
- the need to differentiate the essential teachings of Buddhism from its cultural trapping
Implementing these values is the raison d’etre of the Network of Buddhist Teachers in Europe.
Buddhist Teachers Europe (BTE) and European Buddhist Union (EBU)
Although many BTE members represent their traditions at EBU meetings, BTE and EBU are distinct and separate groups with different aims. EBU now meets in Spring and BTE generally meets in autumn, though we may occasionally schedule some meetings to connect with EBU.
Learn more about us
News and Upcoming Meetings
Find out where our next meetings are going to take place and how to register
Network meetings
General information. The network meetings take place for three days annually near the end of September. Meetings are hosted by Buddhist Centres across Europe...