On 9 May 2026, Brussels hosted the annual assembly of the European Buddhist Union, EBU, bringing together representatives of Buddhist communities from across the continent. This year’s theme — “Respect for the Religious Rights of Buddhists in Europe” — is anything but symbolic. It reflects a growing awareness that freedom of belief and religious practice, long regarded as cornerstones of European democracy, can no longer be taken for granted.
Europe finds itself in a period marked by profound strain: armed conflicts at its borders, deepening political polarisation within, and the resurgence of nationalist rhetoric and intolerance that challenge cultural and religious pluralism. In such a climate, even communities traditionally perceived as quiet presences in public life — including Buddhist communities — encounter legal, social and cultural obstacles that restrict the full expression of their religious identity.
Cos'è il Buddhismo senza la libertà?
The central question guiding this year’s assembly was as simple as it was radical: how can one practise one’s faith when social, political and cultural conditions act as a constraint — or even an outright prohibition? The issue extends beyond the formal guarantees enshrined in European treaties. It concerns the lived reality of faith: the ability to practise openly, to transmit teachings, to organise communities and to be recognised as a legitimate part of Europe’s plural fabric.
A key moment of the day was devoted to testimonies from delegations representing Ukraine, Poland, Greece and Hungary. In each of these contexts — albeit in different ways — Buddhist communities report challenges ranging from limited legal recognition to cultural environments that are less than receptive to non-traditional religious minorities. Their voices offered a tangible insight into what it means to practise one’s faith where pluralism feels fragile or under pressure.
Coinvolgimento delle istituzioni
The assembly did not confine itself to testimony. It also fostered dialogue with European institutions and the academic world. Among the most anticipated contributions was that of Professor Marco Ventura of the University of Siena, whose research focuses on religious freedom and the relationship between states, the European Union and faith communities.
His intervention addressed what remains incomplete within the European legal and political architecture: uneven legal instruments, inconsistent national applications, and a broader lack of sustained political attention to the needs of minority religious communities. The question is not merely whether rights exist on paper, but whether they are effectively implemented and defended.
Un'Europa più ampia
This gathering was more than a forum for raising concerns. It was also conceived as a space for collective reflection. Discussions revolved around essential themes: the meaning of a European Buddhist identity; the practice of faith under conditions of limitation; sustained networking with EU institutions; and the role of the EBU as a bridge between Brussels and local communities, including those geographically distant or numerically small.
Particular emphasis was placed on dialogue with what might be described as the “wider Europe” — understood less in geographical or political terms than in cultural ones. This includes regions such as Israel and countries bordering the Black Sea, areas with long-standing Buddhist traditions and historical ties that extend beyond today’s political boundaries.
Costruire la Casa Comune
In definitiva, ciò che è in gioco non è solo la protezione di una specifica tradizione spirituale, ma la qualità democratica dell'Europa nel suo complesso. La scelta di Bruxelles come sede ha un chiaro peso simbolico e politico. In quanto capitale dell'Unione europea e città in cui prendono forma molte politiche sui diritti fondamentali, è anche la sede naturale dell'UER.
Riunirsi qui significa portare la voce delle comunità buddiste europee nel cuore stesso del processo decisionale – e riaffermare che la libertà religiosa non è una preoccupazione secondaria ma un banco di prova della salute democratica. In un momento in cui la stessa idea di Europa è contestata, l'assemblea annuale dell'Unione Buddista Europea cerca di offrire un momento di riflessione lucido e necessario: un promemoria che senza rispetto per la differenza – religiosa, culturale e spirituale – non può esserci un progetto europeo credibile, inclusivo e orientato al futuro.
This article first appeared in EBU Magazine #15 – Practicing in Turbulent Times (Autumn 2026). Download the full issue as PDF or browse all issues.