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    • Bangladesh: Mobile Medical Clinics
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What is BODHI?

BODHI provides a framework for altruistic people worldwide who are not comfortable working in traditional religious or secular organisations. No religious affiliation is necessary. We ask only for a kind heart.

BODHI works with local partners at a grassroots level on innovative health, education and environmental projects in developing countries that fall through the cracks of traditional aid. We particularly try to work with the oppressed and the marginalised.

What makes BODHI different from other aid organisations?

Our emphasis on the ecological and social sustainability of all projects

People affected participate in identifying problems and their resolutions

BODHI's small and personal nature

Almost all of BODHI's administrative work is voluntary

The multi-faith orientation of many of the directors and advisers: Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, atheist and we hope, in time, more; and

Autonomous organisations exist in the U.S. and Australia, with donors worldwide.

3 Tripura boys, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Photo courtesy Phillip Gorry

A bit of background

Benevolent Organisation for Development, Health & Insight (BODHI) was founded in 1989, based on the principles of skilful and compassionate action. Bodhi is a Sanskrit term meaning enlightenment, the wish to help all.

The idea for BODHI occurred to Dr Colin Butler during his volunteer medical work in Nepal and Nigeria in 1985. He felt that Western Buddhists spend too much time talking about compassion and not enough time acting upon it.

BODHI crystallised in Los Angeles in 1989, during teachings by the Dalai Lama. Colin was visiting Susan, whom he met in India in 1985. His Holiness accepted Colin and Susan's request to become BODHI's Founding Patron in December, 1989.