Ukrainian Buddhists at the European Buddhist Union General Assembly in Brussels

On May 9, 2026, the annual European Buddhist Union assembly took place in Brussels. This year's meeting focused on respect for the religious rights of Buddhists in Europe and on the situation of Buddhist communities facing legal, social, and cultural challenges.

Our representatives joined the event and presented the Ukrainian experience in the talk “Dharma Practice During the War in Ukraine”. The presentation described the path of Ukrainian Buddhist communities from pre-war development, losses, and forced displacement after 2014 to the trials of the full-scale war, occupation, humanitarian aid, support for practitioners, and the preservation of the Dharma under constant danger.

Special attention was given to the communities of Donetsk region and Mariupol, the loss of Buddhist centers and places of practice, and the fates of refugees, prisoners, the wounded, and those who continue serving people despite the exhaustion of war.

The Ukrainian side also raised questions about protecting spiritual and religious figures in Ukraine under mobilization, supporting affected religious communities, compensating war damage, humanitarian programs, and developing Buddhism in Ukraine.

For us, this participation was an important opportunity to bring the voice of Ukrainian Buddhists to the European Buddhist community, thank partners for their support, and call for further cooperation for peace, compassion, and the preservation of living Dharma practice.

The full presentation “Dharma Practice During the War in Ukraine” is available through the link below.