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LEAD ARTICLE | EASTERN HORIZON 5

I went to India, Burma and Sri Lanka on a pilgrimage There are many challenging aspects, but I would say the
trip. I followed Mahinda’s footsteps in bringing the most challenging part is the mindset of people. I have
Dharma to Sri Lanka. Then, I decided that I wanted to be lived in Asia and learnt Buddhism in Asia. When I came
a Buddhist missionary and introduce Dharma in Africa. back to Uganda, I realised that people have very different
In fact, I established the Afro-Tibetan Friendship Society perception about Buddhism. Some have misconceptions
in 1994 and requested HH The Dalai Lama to give me his such as Buddhism is only for Indians, and some people
blessings. He advised me how to establish the Dhamma think that Buddhism is attached with kung fu. Buddhism
in Africa and one of the important points he made was is often misunderstood in Africa, and I think it is my
having friends. It took me a decade to find the friends responsibility to debunk myths and ideas.
while establishing Uganda Buddhist Centre. To start a
centre from scratch is a test for me to apply everything There are ongoing challenges in removing
I have learnt previously including ten paramitas. misconceptions about Buddhism. I am currently
It’s a real fieldwork. Founding the centre has also studying about the intersection of African culture
transformed me to embody the paramitas, the process with Buddhism. I need to be able to smuggle Buddhist
requires equanimity, effort, patience, determination and wisdom into African culture, so that people can
truthfulness in my belief. learn Buddhism in the lens of Africa. There is a lot of
resistance at the beginning, and I was even shot at close
What have been the most challenging aspects of range once in an attempted murder, but I narrowly
establishing and growing the first Buddhist temple escaped the bullet. There is a lot we can learn from
in Uganda? Christianity. For instance, we build schools for children,
which would also bring their parents into Buddhism.

The novice monks went on alms round as part of the Novice Ordination Buddha Medical Centre provides medical care and health education to
Programme. (Image taken from UBC website) the local community. (Image taken from UBC website)

On 12 of September 2023, Bhante Buddharakkhita attended the 8th There are currently 90 children enrolled and 10 teachers at the
th
World Buddhist Summit (WBS) held in Tokyo, Japan, where he was Buddhist Peace School. (Image taken from UBC website)
was appointed as one of the Vice Presidents, representing the African
continent. [Image taken from Bhante Buddharakkhita website]