The Causes
In a world of billions of people and trillions of lifeforms, everyone needs a little help. Below are a list of some of the organizations that are helping make a difference in the plights of people and animals across the globe. Every month BuddhaBadges will donate 90% of the proceeds made to one of these organizations. At a buck a badge, it may not be much, but every little bit helps.
Tibetan Nuns Project - Raised & Donated: $80 in December 2009
“The Tibetan Nuns Project was founded over two decades ago to provide education and humanitarian aid to refugee nuns from Tibet and Himalayan regions of India. The Project provides facilities and programs to educate, empower, and improve the status of ordained Tibetan women. The Tibetan Nuns Project was established under the auspices of the Tibetan Women's Association and the Department of Religion and Culture of H.H. the Dalai Lama.”
Learn more about The Tibetan Nuns Project
Doctors Without Borders - Haiti - Raised & Donated: $40 in February 2010
“Two months after the January 12 earthquake, medical needs remain immense in Haiti and living conditions are extremely precarious. Although the phase of urgent life-saving medical care has passed there continues to be a critical emergency context in which thousands of people need post-operative care, rehabilitative care and physiotherapy, as well as psychological counseling. The extremely difficult living conditions increase the stress experienced by people living in camps or in tents throughout Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas.”
Learn more about Doctors Without Borders - Haiti
Mongolian Disaster Appeal - Raised & Donated: $50 in March 2010
“...the Mongols and their animals endure what they call a dzud. I very roughly translate this as “a winter that’s atrocious even by Mongolian standards.” Dzud is actually a double-whammy. It refers to an unusually dry summer that stunts the growth of pasture grass, keeping animals thinner and limiting what can be gathered for hay. Then a brutal winter hammers down, exceptionally cold (often down to -55F/-48C) with blizzards that bury pasture grass under an impenetrable blanket of snow. Meager stores of fodder are soon exhausted, and the freezing sheep, goats, cattle, yaks, camels, and horses upon which the Mongolian herders depend start to die. Quickly. And in almost unimaginable numbers.”
Learn more about Mongolian Disaster Appeal
International Campaign For Tibet's Yushu Earthquake Relief Efforts
- Raised & Donated: $75 between March and April 2010
“The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) works to promote human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet. Founded in 1988, ICT is a charity-drive organization with offices in Washington, Amsterdam, Berlin and Brussels and field offices in Dharamsala and Kathmandu. This is from the ICT abotu the latest on teh earthquake in Yushu:
‘All friends of Tibet are deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life in Yushu, eastern Tibet. The International Campaign for Tibet is working with governments and partners in non-governmental organizations to do what we can to direct aid to Tibetans urgently in need because of the earthquake on April 14. Contributions using this donation page are tax-deductible and will support ICT's earthquake relief efforts and fund our not-for-profit organizational partners working with Tibetans in Yushu.’ ”
Learn more about The International Campaign for Tibet
Help Bat Nha- Raised & Donated: $60 in May 2010
“Helpbatnha.org is a site is to help us all stay in touch with what is happening in the Bat Nha Monastery to the 400 young monks and nuns who are being isolated and harassed by the local Vietnamese forces and people. They have been and are still being terrorized and cut off from water, electricity and phone connections since June 2009. These young men and women have renounced their worldly life for the service to humanity and to the people of Vietnam. Now their basic religious rights as well as their human rights are evidently being threatened and our community is making a collective effort to stay informed, connected and to express our concerns and grievances to the Vietnamese government and to demand the government to take action to ensure the rights and safety of 400 lawful Vietnamese citizens.”
Learn more about what's going on at Bat Nha Monastery
The Meditation Initiative
Thanks to the Meditation Initiative for gifting their upcoming June donation from BuddhaBadges to the Tzu Chi Foundation! Much Dana! Much Respect!
“The Meditation Initiative provides free meditation classes, training and community service outreach for San Diego children, adults and seniors to help prevent stress and anxiety, improve focus and attention, and share tools for anger management while improving overall mental and emotional health and well-being.”
Learn more about The Meditation Initiative
The Tzu Chi Foundation - Raised & Donated: $150 in June 2010
“Tzu Chi Foundation was established in 1966 by Venerable Dharma Master Cheng Yen on the poor east coast of Taiwan. For over 43 years, the foundation has been contributing to better social and community services, medical care, education and humanism in Taiwan and around the world. From the first 30 members, housewives who saved two cents from their grocery money each day to help the poor, the foundation has volunteers in 47 countries , with 345 offices worldwide.”
Learn more about The Tzu Chi Foundation
The Children's Shelter Foundation - Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Raised & Donated: $100 in July 2010
“Children's Shelter Foundation is an internationally sponsored Social Project in northern Thailand, founded in the year 2007 by Joy Worrawittayakhun from Thailand and Ulrike Meister from Germany. In the middle of the forest hills, about 30 minutes away from Chiang Mai, Joy and Ulrike acquired some land to establish "Lakeland", the farm where handicapped children, deaf children but also underprivileged children, streetchildren and orphans have found a warm and caring environment and a secure place that became their home.”
Learn more about The Children's Shelter Foundation - Chiang Mai, Thailand
Buddhist Global Relief - Raised & Donated: $300 in August 2010
“The mission of Buddhist Global Relief (BGR) is to provide relief to the poor and needy throughout the world regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Bearing in mind the Buddha‘s statements that “hunger is the worst kind of illness” and “the gift of food is the gift of life,” BGR especially focuses on providing food aid to those afflicted by hunger and lack of food security. Its long-range goal, however, is to combat all the manifestations of poverty that detract from the inherent dignity of human life.”
Learn more about Buddhist Global Relief
Piyara Kutta, Inc. - Raised & Donated: $400 in September 2010
“Piyara Kutta, Inc. was founded on a belief best stated by Mahatma Gandhi: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Our mission is to improve living conditions for both animal and human populations in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. We provide humane animal control programs and community education through clinics, local training programs, and compassion. We are committed to the success of local partner organization, The Himalayan Nature Society. ”
Learn more about Piyara Kutta, Inc.
The Foundation for the People of Burma - Raised & Donated: $340 in October 2010
“Foundation for the People of Burma (FPB) is the largest, independently-supported, U.S.-based humanitarian organization focusing exclusively on Burma. We have been implementing projects and supporting community-based action since 1999. Our programs provide direct assistance to communities that have been severely affected by injustice. We engage in compassionate, creative and strategic interventions which facilitate positive, long-lasting change for those that face scarcity and lack personal freedom.”
Learn more about The Foundation for the People of Burma
The Maitri Griha Project - Raised: $440 in November 2010
Due to banking issues we are thankful to the Maitri Griha Project for gifting a portion of their donation from BuddhaBadges to the Nonviolent Peaceforce as well as the rest to a special recipient to be awarded soon! Stay Tuned!
“In countries like Nepal, the situation for mentally handicapped children is especially difficult. Often they are living in remote villages with no one to help them or support their parents. Often the families are poor or broken and the parents struggle to make ends meet. In studying the situation of mentally handicapped children in Nepal and the services available them, our organization found miserable conditions. They are a neglected and abandoned group without any rights. Many local and foreign organizations are setting up projects for people with needs but hardly any of them advocate for children with mental disability. Thus our project was born: we decided to start a project by ourselves, helping at least a few of these children.”
Learn more about The Maitri Griha Project
The Nonviolent Peaceforce - Raised & Donated: $500 in November-December 2010 (plus monies gifted from the The Maitri Griha Project, see above)
“The mission of Nonviolent Peaceforce is to build a large-scale trained, international civilian nonviolent peaceforce. Nonviolent Peaceforce is sent to conflict areas to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to enter into dialogue and to seek peaceful resolution to local conflicts. We envision a world in which large-scale unarmed civilian peacekeeping using proven nonviolent strategies is recognized as a viable alternative in preventing, addressing, and mitigating violent conflicts worldwide. Our primary strategy for achieving this vision is the creation of space to foster dialogue.”
Learn more about The Nonviolent Peaceforce
Lotus Outreach International - Raised & Donated: $300 in January 2011
“Lotus Outreach is a 501(c)(3) charity-drive organization dedicated to ensuring the education, health and safety of vulnerable women and children in the developing world. Originally established to support refugee education, Lotus Outreach now also helps rehabilitate survivors of human trafficking and keep at-risk students in school. We support this mission through effective grassroots projects, particularly among the rural poor. ”
Learn more about Lotus Outreach International
The Karuna Center for Peacebuilding - Raised & Donated: $370 in February 2011
“Karuna Center was founded in 1994 to address the growing global challenges of ethnic, religious and political conflict. Our first long-term project engaged us in post-conflict reconciliation between former neighbors after the devastation of the Bosnian war. As we approach our 15th anniversary in 2009, Karuna Center has worked in more than 20 countries around the world.”
Learn more about The Karuna Center for Peacebuilding
SPECIAL EFFORT The Tzu Chi Foundation: Japan Relief Fund - Raised & Donated: $400 in March 2011
“Tzu Chi Foundation was established in 1966 by Venerable Dharma Master Cheng Yen on the poor east coast of Taiwan. For over 43 years, the foundation has been contributing to better social and community services, medical care, education and humanism in Taiwan and around the world. This is a special effort to raise funds to help the relief effort after the 2011 Japanese Earthquake”
Learn more about The Tzu Chi Foundation
SourcePoint Global Outreach - Raised & Donated: $200 in April 2011
“SourcePoint Global Outreach is a nonprofit orgranization founded in 2001whose outreach projects are dedicated to serving the welfare and upliftment of local and global communities by combining their efforts with other international organizations, implementing humanitarian projects to assist those in need around the globe.”
Learn more about SourcePoint Global Outreach
Farm Sanctuary - Raised & Donated: $200 in May 2011
“Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming and to encourage a new awareness and understanding about "farm animals." At Farm Sanctuary, these animals are friends, not food.Through the years, they have rescued thousands of animals, and educated millions of people about their plight. Their rescue and education work continues, as they advocate for laws and policies to prevent suffering and promote compassion. They goals include reaching out to legislators and businesses, and working to bring about institutional reforms.”
Learn more about the Farm Sanctuary
Sprout Yoga - Raised & Donated: $250 in June 2011
“Sprout Yoga's mission is to create and support a national network of yoga teachers and licensed counselors who understand how yoga can play a role in healing from eating disorders. As a part of this mission, we seek to train, advocate, inspire and coordinate yoga teachers across the country on community yoga and the vital need for non-fee-based yoga classes. We believe this kind of karma yoga benefits not only the community, but the teachers themselves.”
The Buddhist Education for Social Transformation Project - Raised & Donated: $370 in July 2011
“The Buddhist Education for Social Transformation (BEST) project is a partnership between the International Women's Partnership for Peace and Justice in Thailand and Upaya Zen Center's Buddhist Chaplaincy Program in New Mexico. The curriculum of BEST will cover foundational teachings and practices of Buddhism, ethics (including precept study), principles of socially engaged Buddhism, systems theory, structural violence and systemic oppression, peacemaking methods, interfaith work, and an introduction to the neuroscientific study of meditation and the mind. Other course content might address reconciliation, Burma, Cambodia, HIV work, human rights, sustainable development, alternative education or home schooling. Students who successfully finish all requirements of the training will receive a certificate of completion.”
Learn more about The Buddhist Education for Social Transformation Project
Stand Proud - Raised & Donated: $210 in August 2011
“StandProud is a U.S.-registered, tax-exempt, not-for-profit charity created to provide international financial support for selected community organizations in developing countries which provides corrective treatment, locally-crafted leg braces, and accompanying rehabilitative services, at no cost to poor families with children who have been disabled by polio or who have similar disabilities, as well as promote the full integration of disabled persons into society.”
Survivors of Torture, International - Raised & Donated: $220 in September 2011
“Survivors of Torture, International was founded in 1997 to build a healing community for survivors of politically motivated torture living in San Diego County. SURVIVORS has served more than 1,000 torture survivors from at least 60 different countries. SURVIVORS empowers torture survivors to reclaim the strength and vitality that were stolen from them by brutal dictators and governments. The specialized care SURVIVORS provides these vulnerable individuals helps them to become self-sufficient and healthy members of their families and of our community.”
Learn more about Survivors of Torture, International
American Himalayan Foundation - Raised & Donated: $300 in October 2011
“The American Himalayan Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the people and ecology of the Himalaya. What we do is very basic: build schools, plant trees, train doctors, fund hospitals, take care of children and elderly, and restore sacred sites throughout the Himalayas. We also assist and encourage Tibetans to rebuild and maintain their culture both in exile, and within Tibet. AHF supports projects that are on a human scale and that directly benefit people. We deeply respect our partners in the Himalayas and our work responds to their priorities and concerns.”
Learn more about American Himalayan Foundation
New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care - Raised & Donated: $100 plus $30 to the Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Program in November 2011
“New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care will build its home in the heart of Manhattan. Not only will the Center provide respite for people at the end-of-life guest house, it will be a model center engaged in education, training, consulting and daily meditation. The Center’s vision has grown out of the historical Buddha’s last word "care."”
Learn more about New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care
Yiga Choeling Monastery, Ghoom, Darjeeling - Raised: $125 in December 2011
“Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of the Yiga Choeling Monastery located at Ghoom at an elevation of 8,000 feet, 8 km from Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect and is famous for its 15 feet high special statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The external structure of the building was established in 1850 by the famous Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso. For the last two decades the monastery has been going through severe crises in terms of both monks and finance. Till now, the grants-in-aid entitled to the monastery have not been received either from government nor from any other source. Presently the monastery is meeting its needs through donations and contributions from local devotees.”
Learn more about Yiga Choeling Monastery, Ghoom, Darjeeling.
Reciprocity Foundation - Raised & Donated: $200 in January 2012
“Reciprocity Foundation enables homeless and high-risk youth and young adults to permanently exit the social services system and start meaningful, sustainable careers in the Creativity Economy (e.g. fashion, design, marketing, PR). The Reciprocity Foundation aims to build a national network of programs to enable homeless youth to enroll in college, secure hands-on work experiences and build a professional network in their field of interest. ”
Learn more about Reciprocity Foundation
Dharma Bum Temple - Raised & Donated: $300 in February 2012
The home of BuddhaBadges,“the Dharma Bums provide a home for the study and practice of Buddhism in America. We do not advocate one particular school of Buddhism, we are simply a bridge for people to enter into Buddhist practice. When one enters the stream of Buddhism it can be confusing, so we help make it simple.”
Learn more about The Dharma Bum Temple
Krochet Kids - Raised: $220 in March 2012 (We are planning on buying warm hats for the San Diego houseless this winter)
“Headwear and other fashion accessories handmade by a group of 87 women in Northern Uganda. Each product is hand-signed by the lady who made it. Through a unique model we are empowering the women of Northern Uganda with the assets, skills, and knowledge to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. With this investment into true empowerment we are breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence on outside humanitarian aid. We provide mentorship to help these Ladies plan a unique and sustainable career path for the future. The result is long lasting and sustainable change. ”
World Beat Cultural Center - Raised & Donated: $210 in April 2012
“ The WorldBeat Center is a non-profit cultural organization that is dedicated to Preserving, Presenting, and Promoting the Indigenous cultures of the world through Music, Art, Dance, Education, and Culture. We carry out our mission by striving to enhance the visibility of cultural artists, expand opportunities for cultural enrichment, and broaden the understanding of various world cultures. Through consciousness raising, the WorldBeat Center promotes Peace within our San Diego community.”
Learn more about World Beat Cultural Center
Street Dog Day Care Camp - Raised & Donated: $130 in May 2012
“The Street Dog Care Camp was established in February 2009 at Boudha Stupa. Every Saturday the SDC Camp team, consisting of two local veterinarians and volunteers, treats street dogs for skin diseases, infections and injuries. Every dog is de-wormed and vaccinated against rabies. Dogs in serious condition are treated at a veterinary clinic and cared for at the Dog Care Centre until they are fit to go back to the street or to be adopted. ”
Learn more about the Street Dog Day Care Cam
Quilts for Kids - Nepal- Raised & Donated: $75 in June 2012
“Quilts for Kids seeks to empower these women by giving them an opportunity to turn their traditional skills into income for their families. The program teaches young women a marketable craft and enhances the overall standing of women in the community through the sale of quilts. Founded in 2006, the project operates in an encampment of Indian street beggars located in a large field in the Boudhanath neighborhood of Kathmandu. ”
Learn more about Quilts for Kids - Nepal
Mothers Without Borders- Raised & Donated: $310 in July 2012
“When asked what is the hardest part about living alone, a thirteen-year-old boy living on the streets in Zambia, told us, "I don't have anyone to love me or protect me or help me. I am always alone." Our purpose at Mothers Without Borders is to address the needs of orphaned and abandoned children in a holistic manner. We support efforts to provide safe shelter, food and clean water, education and access to caring adults. We want to assure that each child has someone who cares about them to teach them of their value. ”
Learn more about Mothers Without Borders
Tibetan Home of Hope- Raised & Donated: $110 in August 2012
“Tibetan Home of Hope is a nonsectarian home and school for children who would otherwise be abandoned. It is a home where young people receive loving care, education, food, shelter, medical attention and the practical foundation needed to develop into independent adults with a full appreciation of their Tibetan heritage.”
Learn more about Tibetan Home of Hope
Karuna- Raised & Donated: $152 in September 2012
“Karuna works in India, where hundreds of millions of people suffer lives of grinding poverty and oppression, excluded from the region’s economic boom. 'Low caste’ and tribal communities struggle as landless day labourers, in constant danger of violence and exploitation, with little or no recourse to the law or police. At best their children receive a few years of substandard schooling. Karuna works with community based organisations that are helping thousands of people to escape the hell of poverty and discrimination and take their rightful place in society. ”
Krochet Kids - Raised & Donated: we've already raised $220 in March 2012 and raised another $230 in October allowing us to purchase 16 hats to give to the houseless this winter! Thank you!
“Headwear and other fashion accessories handmade by a group of 87 women in Northern Uganda. Each product is hand-signed by the lady who made it. Through a unique model we are empowering the women of Northern Uganda with the assets, skills, and knowledge to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. With this investment into true empowerment we are breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence on outside humanitarian aid. We provide mentorship to help these Ladies plan a unique and sustainable career path for the future. The result is long lasting and sustainable change. ”
The Desi Geestman Foundation- Raised & Donated: $360 in November 2012
“Dedicated to the memory and wishes of Desi, a little girl with a dream of one day helping to touch the lives of children with cancer. At some time in our lives cancer has touched someone we love. Cancer is not a disease of choice and invades the lives of all races and ages. The Desi Geestman Foundation (DGF) is a unique charity that is supported by people like you, people who want to make a difference. Our goal is to provide financial and emotional support to these innocent victims and their families at The City of Hope National Medical Center and other children’s hospitals.”
Learn more about The Desi Geestman Foundation
Students for a Free Tibet - Raised & Donated: $320 in December 2012
“Students for a Free Tibet works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. Through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action, we campaign for Tibetans’ fundamental right to political freedom. Our role is to empower and train youth as leaders in the worldwide movement for social justice. In our work for Tibetan independence we also aim to inspire and enable people, especially youth, to create a just and equitable world, free of oppression, in which there is respect for the earth and all living things.”
Learn more about the Students for a Free Tibet
Walking With Nathaniel- Raised & Donated: $225 in January 2013
“Walking With Nathaniel is a fund at the International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation to support research and awareness about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), an OCD spectrum anxiety disorder. Those with BDD perceive aspects of their appearance, usually their faces (the skin, the nose, or the hair) to be hideously flawed even though there is no obvious abnormality. This can lead to social isolation, difficulty holding a job, and excruciating inner suffering. The family of Nathaniel Asselin has established the fund to honor their son, who struggled valiantly with BDD for 13 years before taking his own life in 2011. As research reveals the perceptual distortions that underlie BDD, better treatment will result for the estimated 1-2% of the population who suffer from BDD, and will provide invaluable support for their families, who suffer alongside their loved ones.”
Learn more about Walking With Nathaniel
Buddhist Peace Fellowship - Raised & Donated: $175 in February 2013
“Working from the awareness of the interconnectedness of all things, the Buddhist Peace Fellowship seeks to cultivate the conditions for peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability within our selves, our communities, and the world. How does Buddhist Peace Fellowship do this? In 2012, we are focusing our efforts on sparking conversation, training, and mobilizing people to action. Together, we are building a strong network of Buddhist activists who are ready to meet the challenges of our times.”
Learn more about the Buddhist Peace Fellowship
The Thich Nhat Hanh Foundationspan - Raised & Donated: $118 in March 2013
“Thich Nhat Hanh–affectionately referred to as Thầy (teacher) – brings the art of mindful living and engaged Buddhism to the world, transforming suffering and bringing peace to millions. Now, in this moment, we each have a joyful opportunity to support Thầyʼs teachings. Dedicated to continuing the work of our dear teacher, the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation works mindfully to engage our community in joyful giving to support Thầyʼs mindful teachings and loving practice around the world. ”
Learn more about The Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation
Bay Area Friends of Tibet- Raised & Donated: $150 in April 2013
“Bay Area Friends of Tibet, educates the public about Tibet and the Tibetan people; organizes grassroots projects and events; works with the Tibetan Resettlement Project, and cooperates with other Tibet support groups locally and internationally. In September 2003 His Holiness the Dalai Lama's guidance included telling Friends of Tibet that one of the most important things that the they can do was to bring the Chinese and Tibetan people together to bridge the gap in understanding about Tibet that exists between them.”
Learn more about the Bay Area Friends of Tibet
The Bhutan Nuns Foundation
“The Bhutan Nuns Foundation is committed to ensuring that all Buddhist Nuns and other grassroots women have improved living conditions, quality education, and self-reliance, thus enabling women’s successful participation in the socio-economic development of Bhutan.”