Community Engaged Buddhism


Our Centre is currently engaged in two community projects:

1. Supporting Buddhist Sunday School Education Programs for Children in Sri Lanka
2. Supporting Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy

1. Breakfasts for Children in Buddhist Sunday Schools
As you know, since the pandemic, Sri Lanka has been struggling economically. Our Centre is grateful to have the opportunity to support the breakfast programs in Buddhist Sunday Schools hosted by monasteries in Sri Lanka for over three years.

We are currently supporting for four Sunday Dhamma schools to serve breakfasts to a total of over 900 students.
Report on progress as of January 2026 (Total Donation made = $31,724):

Sri Chandajothi Dhamma Sunday School in Bihirawa (over 360 students)
3 Donation Contracts: Jan 29, 2023; Aug 4, 2023, Nov 12, 2024, December 12, 2025 / Breakfasts for: 16 weeks; 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 23 weeks = 67 weeks
Donations Made: (CAN) $2320; $1740; $2320, $3,335 = $9,715
Sri Gangagiri Dhamma Sunday School in Godakawela (over 250 students)
4 Donation Contracts: Mar 21, 2023; March 21, 2024; Nov 12, 2024, Sept 26, 2025
Breakfasts for: 16 weeks; 12 weeks; 16 weeks, 23 weeks = 67 weeks
Donations Made: (CAN) $1920; $1440; $1920, $2760 = $8040
Derangala Sri Seelananda Dhamma Sunday School in Pitabeddara (220 students)
3 Donation Contracts: Jun 10, 2023; Oct 9, 2023; Nov 12, 2024, Sept 26, 2025
Breakfasts for: 11 weeks; 11 weeks; 16 weeks, 23 weeks = 61 weeks
Donations Made: (CAN) $1419; $1419; $2064, $2967 = $7869
Sri Sumangala Dhamma Sunday School in Mahahena (80 students)
3 Donation Contracts: Jun 10, 2023; Oct 9, 2023; Nov 12, 2024, Sept 26, 2025
Breakfasts for: 11 weeks; 11 weeks; 16 weeks, 23 weeks = 61 weeks
Donations Made: (CAN) $1100; $1100; $1600; 2300; = $6100

The schools & students are happy to share these with you:

Sri Chandajothi Dhamma School of the Sri Mangala Bodhi Viharaya in Bihirawa, Sewanagala, Sri Lanka – over 360 students from Grades 1 – 12 attend the Sunday Dhamma school.

Our Centre is currently supporting the breakfast program in the Dhamma school.
One of the teachers of the Pali Chanting Course offered by our Centre the Ven. Bhante Suneetha (currently residing in New Brunswick) was at the Dhamma school for the launch of the breakfast program in February 2023. Bhante is seen here serving breakfasts to the children. He also donated exercise books and stationery to them on that day.
A variety of vegetarian breakfasts are served to the students. Ingredients such as cereals, grains, mung bean, chickpea, porridge (made from raw rice, coconut milk and the fresh juice of medicinally valued leafy greens) are prepared by the parents of students.

Sri Gangagiri Dhamma School of the Sri Gangagiri Vihara has 250 students attending Grades 1-10. They gather in their morning assembly every Sunday. The breakfast program started in February 2023, and here are some letters from the students:

Donors may view more pictures by emailing admin@appliedbuddhism.ca

2. Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy 
a. Book donations
b. Study Partnership Correspondence Courses
c. Monthly Buddhist Newsletters (English and French) accompanied by Monthly Buddhist Calendars