Buddhism in Austria 
Groups of all major Buddhist tradition have established themselves in Austria within the last 25 years.

Since Buddhism is practiced in so many different ways, due to the 2500 years of its spreading throughout Asia and in these last decades even all over the world, there are many ways to practice, just as there are so many individual needs. But no matter which Buddhist tradition we deal with, all have the same aim:

To arouse and nourish our very own characteristic abilities to develop love and compassion, to reach peace of mind and gain insight and the realization of Buddhahood - the full unfolding of the potential of each and every person.

In 1983 Buddhism was officially recognized by the Austrian government and on account of it the Austrian Buddhist Society (ÖBR) was founded to be the umbrella organization for all Buddhist traditions and groups. 

To become a member you simply have to fill in the application form and hand it in at the office.
There are no taxes to be paid, but to support Buddhism in Austria everybody is asked to contribute with a donation – Dana.

At the main office you can get all the infortmation about the many activities you can join in and also a list of recommended books. There is a quarterly program issued with all the activities, lectures, seminars offered by the different traditions and groups and members of the ÖBR. Moreover we want to inform you by the email ÖBR NEWSLETTER.

The origin of Buddhism
Buddhism goes back to Siddhartha Gautama who was born some 2500 years ago in Lumbini, which now lies in Nepal. He belonged to the royal clan of the Shakyas and grew up in a wealthy environment.

Siddhartha Gautama received an education according to his standing and developed an outstanding personality.

Due to the prophecy at his birth that he would become an outstanding leader of men either in worldly or spiritual matters, his father tried to train him for the world, but could not prevent Siddhartha being confronted with the sufferings of sickness, of old age and of death and the realization that all his knowledge, skills, wealth and influence were of no help relieving the suffering all human beings are subjected to.

After an encounter with a Yogi in deep meditation he decided to leave the worldly life and chose the inner way in order to conquer all suffering and bring out his own highest qualities. He first practiced severest asceticism but realized that this extreme form of practice did not get him any further in his development, just as the years in extreme wealth had not brought him any spiritual result. So he decided to take the Middle Path and confined himself to intensive meditation.

Through meditation he reached his goal. He transcended all feelings and attitudes that could cause suffering, brought all ignorance to an end and all his latent qualities to maturity.
He became the „Awakened One“, the Buddha.

About two months after his enlightenment Buddha Shakyamuni began to teach and did so for the next 40 years. The religious and philosophical culture of India was at a peak just at that time. His long teaching activity within a highly developed society is the explanation for the richness of his statements to questions related to practical life on the one hand and scientific and philosophical ones on the other. 


Whatever Buddha taught, he taught from personal experience and passed on his knowledge in a fresh and life-related manner. He repeatedly advised his disciples to examine his teachings and not to trust them blindly. He did not teach in order to gain disciples to be dependent on him, but to make all people realize their own boundless possibilities and inner freedom.

He was a human being, lived the life of a human being and was subjected to the same laws of life as we all are. However, with his example he demonstrated that every person, independent of gender or age or social background or culture possesses the potential of full realization which can be reached through proper training of the mind.

Aim of Buddhism
The aim of Buddhism is the realization of Buddhahood. This means to be freed from all suffering and problems as well as to unfold and mature all the qualities and abilities latent in our mind.

The Four Noble Truths the basic structure of
Buddhism which Buddha gave us with numerous instructions:

The Truth of Suffering
The Truth of the Cause of Suffering
Truth of Ending Suffering
Truth of the Path

In working with these 4 tools we can learn to realize what makes us unhappy and how we can train to avoid the wrong actions. Buddha explained clearly the way each action brings about an effect and this effect is always in accordance with the action, this simple law being called Karma in Sanskrit.

Positive actions will lead to joy and happiness, negative actions on the other hand to pain and suffering. It means that we are not subjected to a predestined fate but that we ourselves are responsible for the quality of our lives.

He showed that each one of us is able to overcome the ignorance in regard to our own being and the world around us, as well as overcoming our own flaws and can finally reach Buddhahood.
To realize this Buddha recommended walking the path which he himself had walked. 


In principle this path consists of getting a grip on our mind, of ”taming the mind”. Meditation and the practice of mindfulness are mind-trainings which help us in developing a healthy, clear and joyful mind and recognizing its unlimited nature. This will enable us to see ourselves, other people and the world we live in, according to the way ”it really is”. We will begin to disentangle ourselves from our own fixed ideas, interpretations, wishes and fears, which make a clear and direct perception impossible.

There are different Buddhist traditions with different methods of meditation but they all have two aspects in common: meditation of a calm mind and of clear insight.

Buddha showed us a Way that everybody can work with.
It is a Way of absolute acceptance of responsibility for our own actions.