Ukraine at the “Buddhism in the 21st Century” Conference in Malaysia

On September 6-7, 2025, the international Buddhist conference “Buddhism in the 21st Century” took place in Malaysia. It was organized by the local Maha Vihara community and brought together monks, scholars, and Buddhist representatives from 14 countries.

One of our community members was invited to the event and represented Ukraine there. For Ukrainian Buddhists, this participation was a chance to speak about our experience, build direct relationships with Asian Buddhist communities, and make Ukraine visible in an international Dharma context.

The meeting also opened a foundation for further cooperation with the Maha Vihara Sangha. Participants and parishioners expressed compassion for Ukrainians and made donations that were later directed to support the humanitarian work of the Pul-Tho community.

In the presentation prepared for the conference, we outlined the history and current situation of Buddhism in Ukraine: about one hundred communities, roughly sixty legally registered, the losses of practice places in Donetsk, Mariupol, and Sviatohirsk, and the new reality of displacement, financial hardship, and interrupted Sangha life. The development plan focuses on education, international cooperation, humanitarian aid for people affected by the war, Buddhist literature, and a permanent Dharma center with online learning.

We are grateful to the Maha Vihara Sangha in Malaysia for the warm support of Ukraine and our delegates.