In this episode of the Helping Hands podcast we speak with BGR partner and spiritual friend the Most Ven. Bhante Buddharakkhita, founder of the Uganda Buddhist Centre (UBC). Born in Uganda to a Catholic family, Bhante Buddharakkhita discusses his unique and fascinating journey to becoming a Buddhist monk and, through the founding of UBC, introducing and preserving the Buddha’s teachings within the context of African culture. He describes the initial challenges he faced in establishing the center due to the unfamiliarity with Buddhism of Ugandan society, and how he has overcome these obstacles through the practice of compassionate action.

In developing his Buddhist center in Uganda, Bhante Buddharakkhita created an approach to integrating Buddhist teachings with practical actions that aim to improve the material needs of the people he comes into contact with. In so doing, the Uganda Buddhist Centre has expanded access to education for children, water access, and provided housing and food for orphaned children.

He envisions the center as a training hub for teachers and monastics of the next generation, helping to cultivate local leaders who can spread Buddhism throughout Africa. His patient approach, rooted in African cultural values, strives to bridge Buddhist teachings with indigenous wisdom. In his work, Bhante Buddharakkhita epitomizes Buddhist Global Relief’s mission to alleviate the profound suffering caused by poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

Support the work of Buddhist Global Relief with a tax-deductible donation at buddhistglobalrelief.org/donate.

Host: Daniel Blake
Episode notes: Kate Zemlo
Additional research: Chot Elliott
Technical support: George Clapp

Opening music, “However,” is by Daniel Blake, danielblake.net.
The song “Watering Seeds of Joy” heard at the end of the episode is by Sister True Vow.

Ep. 6 – “Planting Dharma Seeds In Uganda” with Bhante Buddharakkhita by Buddhist Global Relief is licensed under a Creative Commons License.