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Helping wherever we can
Communicate
For too long, Buddhist practitioners have primarily associated “compassion” with a lofty feeling that manifests itself in a purely benevolent attitude or is experienced or cultivated through meditation. Compassion, however, is directly aimed at the well-being of others or their suffering. It therefore feels somehow incomplete if it does not also manifest itself in acts of selfless love or assistance.
We have therefore created Mitgefühl in Aktion e.V. to provide an opportunity for even more European Buddhists and people of goodwill to work together and actively engage in alleviating the suffering of others. Together, we wish to demonstrate that, as Buddhists, we feel a shared responsibility for the well-being of all beings.
Compassion in Action e.V. is a cross-tradition Buddhist aid organization that, according to its bylaws, does not fund religious projects. It supports humanitarian aid projects and sustainable development cooperation aimed at equal participation and healthy livelihoods. The association is open to all people who can identify with these goals. Compassion is a universal human capacity!
We would like to invite not only Buddhist groups, organizations, and individuals to join us in this endeavor and to send a cross-traditional message of love and shared responsibility in a world—our world—where food and economic opportunities are so unevenly distributed. Anyone who identifies with these goals is warmly welcome to join us.
Generosity (Dāna) is the most fundamental of all Buddhist practices. Please be generous to make sustainable, long-term aid projects against hunger and hardship possible. May all beings be happy and free from suffering!
Inspire
We are being inspired by the vision of a world where ...
- poverty is a thing of the past and all can live a meaningful life, and can enjoy food, clothing, shelter and healthcare,
- everyone can receive an adequate level of education and can therefore freely work in a way that give meaning and purpose to one's life,
- all humans can live in peace and harmony with each other and where nobody is being discriminated against,
- resources are being used in a considerate way and where they are shared and used more justly,
- climate change is being addressed via natural ecology and active environmental protection,
- future generations have a chance to lead a happy life and develop spiritually.
"May I be a good doctor for those who suffer from illness, a guideline for those who have gone astray, a lamp for those who dwell in darkness, a source of treasure for the poor and needy."
Vow of Samantabhadra, Avatamsaka Sutra
Food for all, support of those in need, helping people to help themselves, natural ecology and active environmental protection is
compassion in action.
Equal rights for all!
Education is key!
Get involved
First and foremost, we are committed to ensuring that no one goes chronically hungry. It's hard to study with an empty stomach.
The Buddha says: "Hunger is the worst kind of illness, and the gift of food is the gift of life."
As people who are moved by compassion for the world, we want to support and realise sustainable projects together with our partner organisation Buddhist Global Relief and carefully selected local partners, that have as their goal the fight against hunger in disaster-stricken regions and the support of natural ecological agrarian practices, to help people help themselves. Fighting growing poverty and malnutrition is connected inseparably to climate change. In order to be able to help those who are suffering in the long term, we also want to actively promote a responsible use of natural resources and environmental protection.
"The gift of food is the gift of life."
Buddha (AN 4:58)
Finance
A. Emergency Aid
- Immediate and rapid assistance in disaster-stricken areas that directly benefits those in need rather than governments.
- Provision of direct food aid to people affected by hunger and malnutrition.
B. Long-Term Development Work
- Meaningful and sustainable ecological projects in areas affected by hunger.
- Support for the development of better methods of sustainable food production.
- Promotion of education and training for girls and women as a means of securing livelihoods and combating poverty.
C. Commitment to the Preservation of Habitats
- Advocacy for social justice, an ecologically responsible economy, climate justice, and the protection of nature and biodiversity.
Hunger is the worst form of hardship
Dr. Bhikkhu Bodhi, the patron and advisor of Compassion in Action, is also the founder of our partner organisation, Buddhist Global Relief, USA. His vision of active compassion and engaged Buddhism inspires our work for a more just, healthy and livable world. Listen and watch his greetings for the launch of our work in the video.
"The organisation Mitgefühl in Aktion, newly founded in 2019 with Bhikkhu Bodhi as patron, is a very, very good opportunity to get involved as a Buddhist* and human being for compassion. It is about wholesome goals and I hope that many who share the concern for active compassion will support this group through money and cooperation. I think this is a very good initiative."
Sylvia Wetzel, Berlin
"I am thrilled that the aid organisation of the esteemed Bhante Bodhi now has a professional partner in Europe to carry out humanitarian aid projects for the most needy people and regions more intensively and internationally. Without hesitation, I immediately became a member and would like to invite well-meaning people of all traditions and directions to generously support this good work. It is time to work together!"
Bhante Sukhacitto, Theravada Monk
Why yet another aid organization?
Malnutrition is once again becoming a growing global problem. In light of the climate crisis, the aftermath of COVID-19, and the war in Ukraine, it will remain the greatest global crisis... Can there ever be too many aid organizations? When it comes to helping others, there is no competition—only partners!