About us
About the Open Sangha Foundation
We are a non-profit organization. Volunteers do all of our work. We help people to find good Dhamma friends (kalyanamitta) and a community.
Our mission
What we do
- We connect members with kalyanamitta.
- We keep a world map of Buddhist communities.
- We give people a place to meet and to talk about their practice.
- We help people to live and practice at a temple.
All people must have access to the Dhamma. Money, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, and citizenship must not stop a person from practice.
What we believe
There is only one Buddhism
There are many Buddhist traditions, for example Theravada, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism. We think that all of these traditions have one goal. This goal is freedom from suffering (dukkha).
The differences between the traditions come mostly from culture. For example, Tibetan Buddhism is the words of the Buddha in Tibetan culture. Monks from Zen and Tibetan traditions often go to Thailand to study and practice.
Thus, we welcome people from all traditions. We do not support one tradition more than another.
The Dhamma is free
The words of the Buddha have a high value. Thus, the tradition is to give the Dhamma free of charge. Most kalyanamitta on this website do not ask for money. If the Dhamma helps a person, that person gives in return. Some listings ask for a fee. The Find page marks them clearly. This generosity has a name: dana.
Our support program
We help people live at a temple
Some people decide to live and practice at a Buddhist temple. We help these people. Most of the temples are in Thailand. Some of these people become monks or nuns.
We can help you to:
- Find a temple and a kalyanamitta.
- Apply for a visa.
- Prepare for ordination, if you decide to become a monk or a nun.
This help is for people from all traditions.
How we work
Our rules for this website
- We do not show advertisements.
- We do not charge fees.
- We treat all kalyanamitta and communities equally.
- We do not recommend one kalyanamitta or community more than another.
- We collect most of our information from public sources. Members can also add information.
Trust and safety
How we keep our community safe
You can find all of this information here, in one place.
Non-profit status
We are a non-profit organization in the United States. See the letter from the IRS.
See our status →Ethics
Some kalyanamitta on this website made a promise not to cause harm. Read the promise.
Read our ethics →Community guidelines
Our rules for kind and safe conversations in messages and on our Discord server.
Read the guidelines →How we use donations
All donations help Dhamma friends to live and practice at a temple.
See how we use donations →Report a problem
If a member or a kalyanamitta causes harm, send us an email. We read all reports.
Send a report →Ethics
Our promise not to cause harm
- The promise has the name “Oath Against Harm.” It comes from the Alliance for Buddhist Ethics.
- Some kalyanamitta on this website made this promise. Not all kalyanamitta made it.
- In the promise, a kalyanamitta agrees to keep members safe. Abuse of any type is not acceptable.
- If a kalyanamitta or a member causes harm, send an email to [email protected].
Read the full text: Oath Against Harm (not changed)
Some but not All teachers listed on the Open Sangha Foundation site have committed to the Oath Against Harm from the Alliance for Buddhist Ethics.
In the practice of the Dharma, I hold the student-teacher relationship to be a sacred connection which prioritizes the spiritual development, maturation, and well-being of the student.
Similarly, I hold that Dharma organizations exist to provide safe environments which allow those who practice the Dharma to thrive in supportive communities, founded on aspirations of good-will for all, and supported by a strong ethical foundation of non-harming.
I acknowledge that any behavior which would be categorized as abusive—whether emotionally, physically, financially, psychologically or sexually—or which is exploitative, coercive, or an abuse of power, or which attempts to cover-up such behavior, is harmful and unnecessary in the practice of the Dharma. It is unacceptable in all circumstances.
I am aware that harm has been caused by failures to meet these standards in the past, and I declare my commitment to maintaining them for the well-being and benefit of all. May this commitment help the Dharma to flourish, both now and in the future, and may it help to alleviate suffering and create a more compassionate world.
And to these additional guidelines the Association for Spiritual Integrity Teacher Ethics Code:
Being self-aware, open, and humble about the limitations of our knowledge and experience Making only honest, realistic statements regarding the benefits of our teachings, practices, courses, and other offerings.
Refraining from giving counsel in matters outside of our areas of training and expertise, and making appropriate referrals as needed.
Non-profit status
We are a non-profit organization
The Open Sangha Foundation is a non-profit organization in the United States. The US tax office (IRS) sent us a letter about our status.
See the letter from the IRS
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Become a volunteer
Volunteers make this website and operate it. We need help with organization, web development, texts, and translation. If you have these skills and some free time, help us.
Contact
Contact us
Send an email to [email protected]. Usually, we reply in a few days.
Change or remove your profile
- Log in with the email address of your profile.
- Go to your account to change your information.
- If your email address is incorrect, send us an email. We will correct it.
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