People involved in the Network
The FWBO was founded in 1967 by Sangharakshita, a London-born spiritual teacher. In the sixties and seventies the movement was somewhat associated with the 'alternative' culture of the time, and a number of co-operative work projects emerged. These included vegetarian restaurants, gift shops and a publishing house. Some of these became successful businesses, particularly the Evolution gift shops, to be seen in many UK high streets and with branches also in Spain and Germany. Key aims include:
(For more information, see Padmasuri's book 'Transforming Work' (2003) Windhorse Publications, Birmingham)
Many people now involved with the FWBO have careers in health and social care, covering a full range of occupational skills and services. Metta Unlimited (later known as the Metta Project) was formed in North-West England in 1995 and was successful in bringing care workers together in a Buddhist context, particularly on its retreat programme. For various reasons another key aim, the establishment of a community-based learning disability service, was not achieved.
Nonetheless, there is increasing interest in care issues in the FWBO. Aspects of this are covered on other pages of this web-site. Another initiative is the Manchester Buddhist Centre's retreat programme for people caring for relatives and friends, now being emulated in London and elsewhere. This is a good example of a Buddhist team offering a service to people who are predominantly non-Buddhist.
It is hoped to make further links and to learn from many other services. Thus the wider Buddhist world includes many relevant projects; just in the UK there is the Buddhist Hospice Trust, the Golden Buddha Centre (which aims to meet the needs of older Buddhists), the Lothlorien mental health service in South-West Scotland (linked to the Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist centre), and doubtless others.
