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JAPAN BUDDHIST FEDERATION

Japan Buddhist Federation (JBF) is the only overall federation of traditional
Buddhism communities in Japan, bringing together 59 major Buddhist
denominations and schools, 36 prefectural Buddhist associations and
10 Buddhist organizations. Over 70,000 temples and monasteries of
traditional Buddhism belong to federation member groups.
JBF traces its origins back to the Buddhist Discussion Group formed in
1900 to oppose state efforts to control religion. Changing its name on
several occasions since then, the organization has been known as the
Japan Buddhist Association, JBF, and in B.E. 2555 (2012) became a public
interest corporation.
JBF is operated by a council, a board of directors, a secretariat which handles

day to day matters, and several deliberative councils which address various
issues. The purpose of the federation is to spread the culture of Buddhism and promote
world peace in accordance with the Buddha’s teaching on social harmony to actively
deal with contemporary issues as a unified Buddhist movement.

We keep in touch with our members, communicate with them, exchange
information, and hold seminars and other activities through our Zenfutsu magazine and
our website, working to safeguard freedom of religion, protect human rights, and deal
with contemporary social issues. We also hold JBF conferences to announce information
or present opinions, working to promote and spread Buddhism, which has made such
great contributions to traditional Japanese culture.
JBF, in conjunction with other religious federation representing Christian churches,
Shinto shrines, and new religious organizations, forms the Japanese Association of
Religious Organizations (JAORO). JBF, representing Buddhist organizations, liaises and
cooperates with other religious groups to act as the contact point with government
and other administrative entities.

Being the only Japanese center for The World Fellowship of Buddhists, JBF also
arranges international exchanges among fellow Buddhists as part of its international
outreach activities, and in cooperation with the religions of other countries, supports
the movement for world peace.

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RECORD OF PROCEEDING | THE 29 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE WFB
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