As provided for under Articles 3, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of its Charter, the World Buddhist University operates through Associated Centres and through a network of Individual Scholars in order to achieve its academic and Buddhist goals. The following Statutes are based on the recommendations of the WBU Council meeting of 9 December B.E. 2543 (2000), which were approved by mail by a majority of Council members in 6 June B.E. 2544 (2001), These statutes provide criteria and guidelines for the recognition of Associated Institutions and Individual Scholars.

1. Associated Centres are recognized by the University to carry out one or more of the following University functions in the promotion of Buddhist Studies and Education in and the observation of Buddhist principles and practices.

(a) Research and Development,

(b) Training and Curriculum Development,

(c) Buddhist Practice, and

(d) Educational Development based on Buddha Dhamma

Any University or Department, Faculty, Institute, Centre thereof, or Institution of research and/or higher learning, or Centre of Buddhist Training or Curriculum Development is eligible to apply for the status of an Associated Centre if all of the following criteria are satisfied:

a. It is either a Buddhist Institution or an institution where the study and/or practice of Buddha Dhamma constitutes a major activity,

b. It has been actively engaged for a minimum of three years in one or more of the University functions listed in section 1,

c. Its objectives are consistent with those of the World Buddhist University,

d. It is in good standing locally and/or internationally as an established institution with :

(I) adequate and suitable premises and facilities,

(II) sources of funding,

(III) qualified personnel with requisite experience and academic/ Buddhist recognition,

(IV) a record of past activities, and

(V) Audited budgets and financial statements.

1. All applications shall be on a form obtainable from the Rector of the University.

2. The application must be made by the chief executive or an administrative officer of the Institution and must be accompanied by a detailed report on three years of activity and documentary evidence to the effect that all criteria of eligibility, as spelled out in Section 2 are fully satisfied. Failure to provide adequate evidence may result in delay or rejection except for those who have submitted their applications to the Council before 9 December, B.E. 2543 (2000).

3. Any application must be channelled through a member of the Council of the University in conformity with the University's Application Form, whose initial recommendation is required for the Rector to pursue further action.

4. The Rector shall distribute this statute to all suitable institutions, encouraging them to seek Associated status. The University form for this purpose should be channelled through a Council member with his or her recommendation.

5. Once the majority of Council members, whether at a meeting or by mail, approves an application, the institution shall is recognized for a period of five years.

6. Associated Centres recognized under Category A or B be requested to Contribute US$ 100 - US$1,000 the maintenance of the University Centre :

7. Category A: Fully self-sufficient in terms of faculty, staff, facilities and financial resources and capable of performing all functions with immediate effect.

8. Category B: Partially self-sufficient and in needs of some assistance from the University to become fully functional.

9. Category C: Capable of fulfilling only a limited range of functions to achieve the objectives of the University.

10. Within thirty days of approval by Council, the Rector under his/her signature shall communicate with the applying Institution the status of its approval in the following form :

is hereby approved as an Associated Centre of the World Buddhist University in term of Article 4.6 of the Charter for the following function(s):

(a) Research and Development

(b) Training and Curriculum Development

(c) Buddhist Practice

(d) Educational Development based on Buddha Dhamma Further, it is recognized to be an Associated Centre in Category _______.

This approval is valid until __________ unless rescinded at the request of the Institution or by decision of the Council of World Buddhist University."

1. An approved Associated Centre is an integral part of the World Buddhist University and shall be entitled to be so described in publications, advertisements and such other publicity material subject to national restrictions if any.

2. It shall be an active member of the network of Associated Centres and will have the opportunity to exchange information and experience through regular correspondence, newsletters, publications and electronic means of communication.

3. It shall receive from the Rector periodic information on University Policies, Programs, and Practices, including instructions on cooperative projects, international conferences, and projected publications.

4. It may initiate and participate in joint projects with other Associated Centres and seek assistance from the Rector to establish necessary contacts.

5. An Associated Centre is required to send to the Rector, by the 31st of July every year, a comprehensive report of its activities with details of human resources, clientele, cooperative projects, publications and financial statements. This report will be published as a part of the Rector's Annual Report.

6. An Associated Centre shall cease to be an approved Centre of the University if :

1. It withdraws its affiliation from the University in writing under the signature of the chief executive or administrative officer.

2. The Council by a majority of votes rescinds the approval on grounds of :

3. Unexplained inactivity as in the instance of not filing annual reports for two consecutive years;

4. Action in violation of the University's objectives as established through a formal inquiry by the Rector, or

5. Failure to apply for reaffirmation of approval before the end of five years.

7. An application of reaffirmation of approval shall be evaluated based on the annual reports for at least three years and, decided by a majority of Council Members voting at a meeting or by mail.

1. The Rector in consultation with the Chairman of the Council shall invite leading scholars of Buddhist Studies, eminent teachers of Buddhist training, authors of books and articles on Buddha Dhamma, and those engaged in educational and cultural development based on Buddha Dhamma to be Associate Members of the University, on the recommendation of:

1. a member of the Council, or

2. an approved Associated Centre, or

3. a Regional Centre of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, or

4. an Associate Member of the University.

2. The recommendation must be in the form of a comprehensive report on the individual's qualifications and record of service and must be accompanied by documentary evidence such as a publications list, published reports and testimonials filed with the University's Application Form, or from leading personalities in the community.

3. No application made by individuals will be considered.

4. An invitation shall specify the category and functions to which the Associated Member is assigned; namely

1. Medhacariya: Most eminent Scholar with international recognition in the scholarly field of Buddhist Studies and activities who will meet the purpose of the University and who will be co-opted to the University's Panel of Advisors on Research, Training, Buddhist Practice or Educational Development based on Buddhism. He/She may also be assigned as a representative of the University to function at the international level.

2. Vuddhacariya: Eminent scholar with regional recognition in the scholarly field of research and development; training and curriculum development; Buddhist practice or educational development based on Buddha Dhamma who will serve on an Advisory Panel of the Associated Centre or Centres in respective regions and/or he/she may be assigned as a representative of the University to function at the regional level.

5. An Associated Member receives from the University a certificate of recognition and an identity card.

6. An Associated Member may cease to be so recognized if:

1. he/she resigns from such position, or

2. the Council by majority vote withdraws the recognition on grounds of conduct detrimental to the reputation of the University.

7. An Associated Member has the right to:

1. make proposals and recommendations to the Council, attend its meetings as observers and speak on any agenda item with the permission of the chair; and

2. make recommendations for recognition of Associate Members; and

3. represent the University, with the consent of the Rector, in scholarly seminars and conferences on Buddhist Studies, Buddhist Education, Buddhist Buddhist training and such other related themes.

1. Provisions in this Statute shall be implemented by the Rector in consultation with the Chairman of the Council and shall for this purpose adopt forms, procedures and internal consultative mechanisms as considered necessary.

2. The Rector shall oversee the Associated Centres and Members and report periodically to the Council on the effectiveness of their contribution to the objectives of the University.