Benefits

1. To support the free teaching program of the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV) by contributing to the costs of:
• upkeeping the Buddhaloka Centre
• bringing visiting teachers to the Centre and their ongoing support
  
2. To formalise a commitment to support a Centre for the Buddhist Community
   
3. To receive the following benefits:
• to borrow from the BSV Library
• discounts for meditation retreats
• receive the Society's regular news bulletins via email
  
4. Voting rights
   Only financial Ordinary Members of not less than two years standing may vote, stand for election to the Committee of the Society, or nominate Members who wish to stand for election.

Information You Need to Know Before Applying

Classes of Membership

Ordinary Membership is for persons who take refuge in the Buddha (the Teacher), the Dhamma (His teachings) and the Sangha (Buddhist Monks and Nuns and those who have realised His teachings).

Associate Membership is for those wishing to have the benefits of Membership without making that particular commitment.

Both classes of the above Membership have the same privileges except that Associate Members do not have any voting rights. Associate Members who have taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha may apply to transfer to Ordinary Membership. The Members so transferred will be entitled to full benefits of Ordinary Membership from the date they joined the Society.

Sub-Classes of Membership

Family Membership entitles Members of one's immediate family to borrow from the library and enjoy discounts on meditation retreats. Ordinary Family Membership is entitled to have one (1) vote. Individuals constituting Family Membership may transfer to Ordinary Membership by application and subscription. The Member so transferred will be entitled to vote after two (2) years from the date of transfer.

Concession Membership is provided to full time students and persons who are retired or otherwise not in a position to afford the full Membership subscription and is applicable to Ordinary and Associate Members.

New Membership Applications

Applicants to New Membership are required to have a sponsor sign their application form . A sponsor can be any Ordinary Member of the Society who is both financial and eligible to vote at the Society's Annual General Meeting (AGM).