Buddhist Education Foundation for Canada
Who we are:
The Buddhist Education Foundation for Canada (BEFC) was established in 2001 to support and promote Buddhist education in Canadian universities.
What we have done:
For the past ten years, we have raised funds and supported Buddhist studies at the University of Toronto: lectures, conferences, credit courses; and we now sponsor one full-year course and seven half-year courses in the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health degree program. The funds you raise in the ScotiaBank Marathon/Walkathon will go to sustain and grow this program. www.newcollege.utoronto.ca/academics/new-college-academic-programs/buddhism-psychology-and-mental-health/
Why Buddhism and Mental Health:
As our society has led us to unprecedented progress in materialism, people increasingly find themselves suffering from stress, anxiety and mental illnesses with depression being widespread. Buddhism, for over 2500 years, offers a psychological approach to self help that has the potential to drastically improve the mental wellness of people in today's society. The myriad of methods as skilful means taught in all the Buddhist traditions addresses the countless obstacles to each person's inner peace and well being. Only when one knows how to bring inner peace and happiness to one's life would one be able to bring peace and harmony to our community and society.
Why the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program:
While modern health care professionals are scratching the surface of what Buddhism has to offer to improve the physical and mental health of their patients with success, your support of the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program will help deepen the understanding by students, scientists, researchers, and health professionals, of the full capacity of the Buddhist methods to health and well being.
Growth and endowment of $1.5 million for the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program at the University of Toronto:
Since the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health program was establishment in 2007, it has experienced rapid grown in both student enrolment and content. In 2007 the program consisted of one 1.5 full course equivalents and an enrolment of 52 students. It currently offers 4 full course equivalents with an enrolment of 407 students and 77 more on the waiting lists. Your generous support for this interdisciplinary study of Buddhism will help the program meet growing student demand and expand the breadth and depth of the program through new course offerings. It will also allow for an increase in co-curricular opportunities for students and the broader community to engage in conferences, speakers and visiting professors.
Join the BEFC running/walking team; sponsor one of our runners/walkers or the BEFC team
Join our team by contacting Chris Ng or Alice Lee at BuddhistEduFoundation@rogers.com or 416-910-4858. Our fundraising goal for the 2012 ScotiaBank Toronto Marathon is $50,000. Any runner/walker who raises over $500 will receive a reimbursement of his/her entry fee. The 3 runners/walkers who raise the highest amounts will receive prizes from BEFC. All participants will receive a BEFC T-shirt. Let's work together to reach our goal!
Help BEFC build and name an “International Buddhist Flag”
Raise or donate $3000 to name (in any language of your choice) a standard-size patch or $30,000 to name a large-size patch of the five-colour Buddhist Flag. The flag will be framed and given to the interdisciplinary program for Buddhism at the University of Toronto for permanent display to recognize our endowment. The five colours represent: Blue — Universal Compassion; Yellow — the Middle Path; Red — Blessings; White — Purity and Liberation; Orange — Wisdom; All colours combined — Truth.
Visit us at www.BuddhistEduFoundation.com for more information. Email or call Chris Ng at BuddhistEduFoundation@rogers.com / 416-910-4858 if you have any questions.