Voice of BPF Board: Anchalee Kurutach and Phyllis Oscar

At BPF, our vision is clear under the leadership of our Executive Director Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, together with the board of directors led by Jesse Vega-Frey.  When Zenju came to BPF a year ago, the Board recognized that BPF was at a transition point.  It was clear that BPF had to let go of programs that were not "up and running" for a variety of reasons.  It was also clear that it was time to engage in a process of restructuring the way BPF operates as an organization in order to ensure it's long-term sustainability, and re-envisioning how BPF selects and develops program areas.  BPF has undertaken this challenge with direction from the Board and leadership from Zenju. We are very excited about the direction BPF is heading in.  Building on the successes of the past, BPF's work will encompass the areas of (1) Support for international Buddhist sanghas (Right to Practice), (2) Responses to war, militarism, and urban violence (One Peace), and (3) Attention to incarcerated youths (Too Young to Do Time).

As board members, we feel deeply grateful to BPF staff and many of our colleagues for their commitment and effort to make BPF an organization that continues to serve as a catalyst for  socially engaged Buddhism. We are also grateful to friends and members  of BPF, who have supported the work we do in many different ways. Like many non-profit organizations, we too struggle to define our direction with the changing times and personnel. With the understanding of impermanence and non-attachment in all things, we have been able to stay true to our collective intention of being a national voice for socially engaged Buddhism amidst the challenges all around us. Slowly but maturely, we are restructuring to position ourselves so we can continue on the path in a sustainable and practical way.

In the thirty years since our inception in 1978, BPF has been a leading voice in bringing wisdom and compassion to the work of peace and justice. Today we recognize that our contributions to the social transformation movements lie within our mindful presence in social activism, education and training on spirituality and activism, and coalition building with other organizations working for the same cause.  We warmly welcome you and all like-minded people to join us, with clear minds and open hearts, on the path to liberation.