Last update 7th of March 2025

• ‘Buddha’ is the historical person Siddharta Gotama, that lived in India about 2500 years ago. He established a teaching and practise which today is called Buddhism.
• ‘Dharma’ is the teaching of the Buddha, which describe cosmos and the nature of human beings, and a training towards wisdom and freedom.
• ‘Vinayas’ are written rules of life and procedures laid down by the Buddha to regulate the lives of monks and nuns.
• The ‘Sangha’ is the group of monks and nuns.
• ‘Monk‘ is a male Buddhist Bhikkhu, who has full ordination and lives according to the Vinaya.
• ‘Nun‘ is a female Buddhist Bhikkhuni, who has full ordination and lives according to the Vinaya.
• ‘Resident Sangha’ are the monks and nuns to whom the society provides life support at one of the society’s centres.
• The ‘spiritual leader’ is the general manager of a center where the sangha lives permanently.
• ‘Constitution’ is the regulations of the association that governs the association, which only can be approved or changed by the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
• ‘Guidelines ’ are instructions and advice that describe who should do various tasks, and how they are to be done, within the framework of the constitution. They are used, for example, by the association’s committee and management.

1. The name of the society is: Oslo og Viken Buddhistforening, hereafter referred to as ‘the Society’.
2. The financial year of the Society is from 1st of January to the next 31st of December.

1. The Society is an independent non-profit organization with members. Neither members nor anybody else can claim the wealth or the properties of the Society, or be responsible for the Society’s debt or other obligations.
2. The wealth and properties of the Society must only be used to further the aims of the Society, and neither wealth nor properties can be given, directly or indirectly, to members or anybody else.

1. The propagation of the Buddhist teachings in theory and in practice, with special focus on morals, meditation and wisdom in the Theravada tradition, where the Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths and the Nobel Eightfold Path is central.
2. To further existing and new teachings, and establish and maintain properties to make the teachings and practices available. Properties includes land, buildings and equipment.
3. The activities shall be characterized by volunteerism, democracy, equality, honesty, loyalty, generosity and ethics.
4. To promote this purpose by:

a. Allowing the Sangha to focus on its spiritual obligations, while the committee ensures that all operational and legal obligations are met.

b. Operating in a way that recognizes mutual dependence and responsibility for all activities in the Society.

c. Using donor-directed funds for the specific purposes for which they are given, as instructed in the Vinaya texts.

d. Establishing facilities for and support of the Sangha and its members, so that the Sangha can fulfil its obligations for self-development and teaching, and the members have access to the Society’s resources for spiritual development.

e. Establishing and maintaining, for the promotion of Buddhist teachings:

i. a Buddhist city centre in the central Eastern Norway area, where members have full control over the centre, and

ii. et buddhistisk retrettsenter, hvor Sanghaen bor og underviser, underlagt retningslinjene i Buddhas Vinaya i Pali-tekstene som blant annet omhandler Sanghaens eiendom og adferd, hvor Sanghaen har full kontroll over senteret på alle måter.

f. Cultivating co-operation with other Buddhist organisations having the same aims and objectives, and show tolerance for all Buddhist traditions and other religions.

g. The society must be part of a registered religious community.

h. Complying with §5 with respect to the Sangha.

In order to promote the Society’s aim and objectives, but not otherwise, the Society is authorized to:

1. Invite Buddhist monks and nuns to stay in the society’s center or elsewhere, for a period of time desired both by the Sangha and the invited monks or nuns.
2. Provide all necessary material support, protection, and necessities (including, but not limited to: food, housing, clothing, and medicines) to monks and nuns invited by the society while living in Norway.
3. Pay for travel expenses to Norway for monks and nuns invited by the society, and return to their normal place of residence.
4. Provide libraries and equipment necessary to write, translate, print, publish, distribute and sell such books and booklets that will be able to further the Society’s aims and objectives.
5. Accept donations from people that the Society deems appropriate, or refuse to accept inappropriate monetary gifts.
6. Issue appeals for donations, newsletters and reports on the work of the Society.
7. Sell, exchange, buy or dispose of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the Society, and issue a receipt for money received by the Society.
8. Prior to executing any decision to sell, exchange or dispose of real estate belonging to the Society, the committee shall have the decision ratified at a General Meeting, requiring a two-third (2/3) vote of the members.
9. Borrow money or property at an appropriate interest rate, with or without security in the Society’s property, and to use this money for any activity in line with the Society’s aim and objectives.
10. Rent, lease or temporarily acquire property for a period, at a cost and at conditions that the Society deems appropriate.
11. Take out insurance against loss and damage, against fire or otherwise, for any insurance-eligible property belonging to the Society, and to buy any type of insurance including, but not limited to, home insurance, contents insurance, car insurance and embezzlement / crime insurance.
12. Purchase and pay any agent, supplier or contractor to carry out work in accordance with the Society’s aim and objectives.
13. Open and use a bank account in the Society’s name in any bank, and deposit all the Society’s money in such a bank account.
14. Take the necessary legal steps or procedures to restore or protect the Society’s assets, and to adjust, clarify, settle or negotiate in any case or claim.
15. Carry out all written communication digitally, preferably via e-mail and an internal office / cloud portal (intranet), including communication for the committee, Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings.
16. Do everything that the Society believes is necessary to promote the Society’s aim and objectives.

1. The Sangha is an independent group in the Society that is to be governed according to the Buddha’s rules and procedures, described in the Vinaya texts. These procedures give the Sangha full right to dispose property and property given to them, full right to decide on their own activities and which monks and nuns they wish to invite into the resident Sangha. The spiritual leader represents the resident Sangha on the board and during the annual meeting, and is responsible for ensuring that the Sangha’s decisions do not violate laws and regulations, as well as internal rules of conduct and procedures in the Vinaya texts. The spiritual leader is also responsible for ensuring that the Sangha stays within given financial limits.
2. A monk or nun invited by the Sangha is part of the resident Sangha as long as he or she remains a member of the Sangha and lives in a center belonging to the society.
3. Every monk or nun ordained in a center belonging to the society is a resident monk or nun as long as he or she remains a member of the Sangha and lives in a center belonging to the association.
4. Each center of the Sangha belonging to the society must elect a spiritual leader in line with tradition.
5. When the committee receives the information from the Sangha about such an election, the board shall invite the elected member of the Sangha to accept the position of Spiritual Leader. If he or she were to accept the position, the Spiritual Leader should retain his or her position for the rest of his or her life, or until the spiritual leader himself or herself resigns from his or her position. Should the society get more centers for the Sangha, each with its own spiritual leader, the constitution must be changed to handle this.

1. The society has two types of membership:
   a. Membership with state support – is available to persons (living in Norway) over the age of 15 who join the society’s faith community. Membership is free of charge. Membership entitles a person to vote at the annual meeting and to sit on the society’s committee. Membership gives priority for retreats and events. Membership is also open to persons under the age of 15 with the approval of a parent or guardian.
   b. Membership with fees – is available to people over the age of 15 and pay an annual membership fee. Membership entitles a person to vote at the annual meeting and to sit on the society’s committee. Membership gives priority for retreats and events. Membership is also open to persons under the age of 15 with the approval of a parent or guardian.
2. In order for a person to be admitted as a member, he or she must accept and maintain the Society’s aims and constitution of Society, and have settled any financial obligations towards the Society.
3. A person who wishes to become a member must apply in writing to the Society’s committee.
4. The committee processes all applications for membership, and shall, following a decision, inform the applicant of the outcome as soon as practicable.
5. Membership is only valid from the day the membership fee is paid.
6. The committee may in special cases deny a person membership.
7. Cancellation of membership must be made in writing by e-mail or via digital communication on the society’s website, and takes effect upon receipt.
8. A membership cannot be transferred to another person.
9. The Society may revoke the membership of a member, if the membership fee is not paid. Members who owe two years of fees are automatically deleted as a member.
10. The committee may in special cases revoke a member of membership. Before making a decision, the person in question must be made aware of the background to the case and given a period of two weeks to comment. The decision must be in writing and substantiated, as well as inform about the way of appealing the decision.
11. In the event of revoking the membership in accordance with section §6.10 above, the person in question may require that the decision must be dealt with on a Special or Annual General Meeting, and the person has the right to be present during the General Meeting’s dealing of the matter. The claim must be submitted within one week after the decision of revoked membership has been received.

1. The society is subject to the bookkeeping obligation, and annual accounts must be prepared and adopted by the annual meeting. The annual accounts must be approved and signed by all committee members.
2. The Society shall follow general legislation for accounting where applicable.
3. The accounts with all documents, extra information and sub-documentation shall be kept in a safe manner for a minimum of 5 years after the end of the financial year.

4. A bank account must be used by the Society, and a minimum of two committee memebers must have access to the bank account. The online bank must be set up so that two people must sign for payments from a bank account. The Society can obtain a bank card which, after approval by the committee, can be used by one or more committee members alone. The spiritual leader shall be one of those who shall have access to the bank accounts, shall be one of those who sign payments regarding the Sangha and have the right to use bank cards alone.

5. The Society’s money usage must be careful, moderate and frugal.

1. Annual General Meeting in general.
   a. The Annual General Meeting, which is held every year, is the Society’s highest authority, and is preferably held by the end of March.
   b. The Annual General Meeting is convened by the committee with at least one month’s notice, directly to the members or by announcement in the press. Proposals to be dealt with at the Annual General Meeting must be sent to the committee no later than two weeks before the Annual General Meeting. A complete agenda must be available to members no later than one week before the Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting may not deal with proposals that are not on the agenda, unless three quarters (3/4) of those present so calls for it.
   c. In the event of convening to the General Meeting in violation of the constitution, the General Meeting decides, respectively, during approval of the notice and approval of the agenda, whether the General Meeting has been lawfully convened and whether there are matters that cannot be dealt with.
   d. All members of the Society have the right to participate in General Meetings. The General Meeting may decide that other persons and/or media may be present, or that the General Meeting is only open to members and others with the right to attend.
   e. The General Meeting can proceed if a number of voting members that at least corresponds to the number of committee members to be elected by the Annual General Meeting, turns up. If the General Meeting can not proceed, a new General Meeting may be convened without a requirement for minimum participation.
   f. At the General Meeting, proposals for amendments to the constitution of the Society, that are not listed on the agenda that have been made available at the convening of the General Meeting, cf. §11, may not be dealt with. Other proposals can be dealt with when two thirds (2/3) of those present with the right to vote so decide, when approving the agenda.
   g. Minutes shall be kept for the Annual and the Special General Meeting.
2. The tasks of the General Meeting.
   a. Select the moderator.
   b. Approve the notice and the agenda.
   c. Deal with the annual report.
   d. Deal with the financial report.
   e. Deal with the received proposals.
   f. Determine the yearly membership fee.
   g. Elect chairman of the committee, secretary, financial manager, and other committee members.
3. Voting at the Annual General Meeting.
   a. Unless otherwise provided in the constitution of association, a resolution shall, in order to be valid, be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast. No member has more than one vote, and no one can vote on behalf of others. Blank votes shall be deemed not to have been cast.
   b. Elections take place in writing if there is more than one proposal or a request is made to make it in writing. Blank votes, or votes on proposals or candidates who are not nominated, do not count, and the votes are considered not cast.
   c. Election of committee members shall take place individually, and if no candidate obtains more than half of the votes cast, re-election shall be held between the two candidates who have obtained the most votes. If there is a tie in the re-election of a candidate, the election is decided by drawing lots.
4. Special General Meeting.
   a. Special General Meetings are held when the committee so decides, or when at least one third (1/3) of the members so requires it. Notice is given in the same way as for Annual General Meetings, with at least 14 days’ notice.
   b. A Special General Meeting (EGM) can only deal with and make a decision in the matters announced in the notice.

1. The committee is the highest authority between the Annual General Meetings. The committee shall hold a meeting when the chairman of the committee or a majority of the committee members so requests. The committee must:
   a. Implement General Meeting resolutions.
   b. Appoint any sub-committees or persons who are to perform special tasks, and prepare guidelines for these.
   c. Manage and maintain the necessary control of the Society’s finances in accordance with current guidelines.
   d. Represent the Society externally.
   e. Act as stewards for the Sangha, so that necessary activities that the Sangha cannot do under Vinaya are carried out, such as carrying out financial transactions.
   f. Establish or change guidelines for the Society’s operations and activities, within the framework of the constitution.
   g. Notwithstanding §9.1 f, and other provisions of these statutes: Before new guidelines can be adopted that affect or deal with the Sangha, or tangible or non-material possessions that have been given for the use of the Sangha, or that which the Sangha has the disposal of, the proposal must first be approved by the spiritual leader.
2. The board consists of the chair of the board, secretary, financial manager, board member and spiritual leader.
3. The board can make decisions when a majority of the board members are present. Spiritual Leader must be present for the committee to be able to make decisions. Decisions are made by a majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie, the chairperson’s vote is decisive.
4. All proposals for decisions by the board must be approved by the Spiritual Leader before a decision is made, and no proposals for decisions are valid without the Spiritual Leader’s approval.
5. If the Spiritual Leader does not approve a proposal for resolution, and a majority of the board members wish to proceed to adopt the proposal, the board may
   a. Convene a Special General Meeting to vote on the proposal.
   b. Forward the proposal to the next Annual General Meeting for voting.
   c. If the Annual or Special General Meeting votes in favour of the resolution, the committee shall implement the proposal.
6. Minutes shall be kept of the committee meeting.
7. When electing members to the committee, the association shall prioritize people with full membership. Persons with ordinary membership can also sit on the committee, after approval from the annual meeting.
8. A condition for being elected to the committee, with the exception of the first two years, is that the person must have been a member for 24 months before the date of the election. The committee may set aside this condition in exceptional situations.
9. A member may not sit on the committee for more than 4 consecutive years. This applies even in the event of a change to a new committee position. Exceptions are made for spiritual leaders who add competence, long-term perspective and continuity.
10. Committee members may receive reimbursement for necessary, actual expenses incurred in relation to his or her position in the committee.

1. It is the Chair of the Board and the Spiritual Leader jointly who hold the right to sign formal documents.

1. Amendments to the association’s constitution can only be made at a Special or Annual General Meeting after having been listed on the agenda when notice is received, and a two-third (2/3) majority of the votes cast is required.
2. In the early phase after the Society’s start-up, while the Society still has very few members, requirements in the constitution can be temporarily relaxed or adjusted, to reflect the Society’s nature. This can, for example, apply to the number of people on the committee, and external representation. However, this does not apply to requirements regarding finances or General Meetings.

1. Dissolution of the Society can only be dealt with at the Annual General Meeting, and the proposal for dissolution of the Society must be listed on the agenda that has been made available in a notice when convening for the Annual General Meeting. Dissolution of the Society requires a four-fifths (4/5) majority.
2. The Society’s assets shall, after dissolution and debt settlement, be given to an organisation having aims and objectives in line with the association, by giving the net assets to the Buddhist Federation of Norway, or another national federation at the time of the Society’s dissolution.

Last update XXth of March 2026

• ‘Buddha’ is the historical person Siddharta Gotama, that lived in India about 2500 years ago. He established a teaching and practise which today is called Buddhism.
• ‘Dharma’ is the teaching of the Buddha, which describe cosmos and the nature of human beings, and a training towards wisdom and freedom.
• ‘Vinayas’ are written trainingrules and procedures laid down by the Buddha to regulate a full-time training for women and men.
• The ‘Sangha’ is the group of bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.
• ‘Bhikkhuni‘ is a female Buddhist monastic, who has full ordination and lives according to the Vinaya.
• ‘Bhikkhu‘ is a male Buddhist monastic, who has full ordination and lives according to the Vinaya.
• ‘Resident Sangha’ are bhikkhus and bhikkhunis to whom the society provides subsistence at one of the society’s centres.
• A ‘spiritual director’ is the general manager of a monastic group, either bhikkhunis or bhikkhus, at the center where the sangha lives permanently.
• ‘Constitution’ is the regulations of the association that governs the association, which only can be approved or changed by the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
• ‘Guidelines ’ are instructions and advice that describe who should do various tasks, and how they are to be done, within the framework of the constitution. They are used, for example, by the association’s committee and management.

1. The name of the society is: Oslo og Viken Buddhistforening, hereafter referred to as ‘the Society’.
2. The financial year of the Society is from 1st of January to the next 31st of December.

1. The Society is an independent non-profit organization with members. Neither members nor anybody else can claim the wealth or the properties of the Society, or be responsible for the Society’s debt or other obligations.
2. The wealth and properties of the Society must only be used to further the aims of the Society, and neither wealth nor properties can be given, directly or indirectly, to members or anybody else.

1. The propagation of the Buddhist teachings in theory and in practice, with special focus on morals, meditation and wisdom in the Theravada tradition, where the Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths and the Nobel Eightfold Path is central.
2. To further existing and new teachings, and establish and maintain properties to make the teachings and practices available. Properties includes land, buildings and equipment.
3. The activities shall be characterized by volunteerism, democracy, equality, honesty, loyalty, generosity and ethics.
4. To promote this purpose by:

a. Allowing the Sangha to focus on its spiritual obligations, while the committee ensures that all operational and legal obligations are met.

b. Operating in a way that recognizes mutual dependence and responsibility for all activities in the Society.

c. Using donor-directed funds for the specific purposes for which they are given, as instructed in the Vinaya texts.

d. Establishing facilities for and support of the Sangha and its members, so that the Sangha can fulfil its obligations for self-development and teaching, and the members have access to the Society’s resources for spiritual development.

e. Establishing and maintaining, for the promotion of Buddhist teachings:

i. a Buddhist city centre in the central Eastern Norway area, where members have full control over the centre, and

ii. et buddhistisk retrettsenter, hvor Sanghaen bor og underviser, underlagt retningslinjene i Buddhas Vinaya i Pali-tekstene som blant annet omhandler Sanghaens eiendom og adferd, hvor Sanghaen har full kontroll over senteret på alle måter.

f. Cultivating co-operation with other Buddhist organisations having the same aims and objectives, and show tolerance for all Buddhist traditions and other religions.

g. The society must be part of a registered religious community.

h. Complying with §5 with respect to the Sangha.

In order to promote the Society’s aim and objectives, but not otherwise, the Society is authorized to:

1. Invite Buddhist bhikkhus and bhikkhunis to stay in the society’s center or elsewhere, for a period of time desired both by the Sangha and the invited bhikkhus or bhikkhunis.
2. Provide all necessary material support, protection and necessities (including but not limited to: food, housing, clothing and medicines) to bhikkhus and bhikkhunis invited by the society while living in Norway.
3. Pay for travel expenses to Norway for bhikkhunis and bhikkhus invited by the society, and return to their normal place of residence.
4. Provide libraries and equipment necessary to write, translate, print, publish, distribute and sell such books and booklets that will be able to further the Society’s aims and objectives.
5. Accept donations from people that the Society deems appropriate, or refuse to accept inappropriate monetary gifts.
6. Issue appeals for donations, newsletters and reports on the work of the Society.
7. Sell, exchange, buy or dispose of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the Society, and issue a receipt for money received by the Society.
8. Prior to executing any decision to sell, exchange or dispose of real estate belonging to the Society, the committee shall have the decision ratified at a General Meeting, requiring a two-third (2/3) vote of the members.
9. Borrow money or property at an appropriate interest rate, with or without security in the Society’s property, and to use this money for any activity in line with the Society’s aim and objectives.
10. Rent, lease or temporarily acquire property for a period, at a cost and at conditions that the Society deems appropriate.
11. Take out insurance against loss and damage, against fire or otherwise, for any insurance-eligible property belonging to the Society, and to buy any type of insurance including, but not limited to, home insurance, contents insurance, car insurance and embezzlement / crime insurance.
12. Purchase and pay any agent, supplier or contractor to carry out work in accordance with the Society’s aim and objectives.
13. Open and use a bank account in the Society’s name in any bank, and deposit all the Society’s money in such a bank account.
14. Take the necessary legal steps or procedures to restore or protect the Society’s assets, and to adjust, clarify, settle or negotiate in any case or claim.
15. Carry out all written communication digitally, preferably via e-mail and an internal office / cloud portal (intranet), including communication for the committee, Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings.
16. Do everything that the Society believes is necessary to promote the Society’s aim and objectives.

1. The Sangha is an independent group in the Society that is to be governed according to the Buddha’s rules and procedures, described in the Vinaya texts. These procedures give the Sangha the full right to dispose property and property given to them, the full right to decide on their own activities and which bhikkhus and bhikkhunis they wish to invite into the resident Sangha. The spiritual director of the bhikkhus and the spiritual director of the bhikkhuni represent the resident Sangha on the board and during the annual general meeting, and is responsible for ensuring that the Sangha’s decisions do not violate laws and regulations, as well as internal rules of conduct and procedures in the Vinaya texts. Spiritual directors are also responsible for ensuring that the Sangha stays within given financial limits.
2. A bhikkhuni or bhikkhu invited by the Sangha is part of the resident Sangha as long as he or she remains a member of the Sangha and lives in a center belonging to the society.
3. Each bhikkhu or bhikkhuni who is ordained in a center belonging to the society is a permanent resident bhikkhuni or bhikkhu as long as he or she remains a member of the Sangha and lives in a center belonging to the society.
4. Each part of the Sangha that belongs to the society must choose a spiritual director in line with tradition.
5. When the board receives the information from the Sangha about such a choice, the board shall invite the selected member of the Sangha to accept the position of spiritual director. The board can set a probationary period for a new spiritual director, to ensure the ability to also be able to satisfactorily represent the entire society, not just the sangha that has elected him or her. If he or she should accept the position, the spiritual director should keep his or her position for the rest of his or her life, or until the spiritual director resigns from his or her position. Skulle foreningen få flere senter for Sanghaen, må vedtektene endres for å håndtere dette.

1. The society has two types of membership:
   a. Membership with state support – is available to persons (living in Norway) over the age of 15 who join the society’s faith community. Membership is free of charge. Membership entitles a person to vote at the annual meeting and to sit on the society’s committee. Membership gives priority for retreats and events. Membership is also open to persons under the age of 15 with the approval of a parent or guardian.
   b. Membership with fees – is available to people over the age of 15 and pay an annual membership fee. Membership entitles a person to vote at the annual meeting and to sit on the society’s committee. Membership gives priority for retreats and events. Membership is also open to persons under the age of 15 with the approval of a parent or guardian.
2. In order for a person to be admitted as a member, he or she must accept and maintain the Society’s aims and constitution of Society, and have settled any financial obligations towards the Society.
3. A person who wishes to become a member must apply in writing to the Society’s committee.
4. The committee processes all applications for membership, and shall, following a decision, inform the applicant of the outcome as soon as practicable.
5. The membership is only valid from the day the membership fee is paid, if the membership requires payment.
6. The committee may in special cases deny a person membership.
7. Cancellation of membership must be made in writing by e-mail or via digital communication on the society’s website, and takes effect upon receipt.
8. A membership cannot be transferred to another person.
9. The Society may revoke the membership of a member, if the membership fee is not paid. Members who owe two years of fees are automatically deleted as a member.
10. The committee may in special cases revoke a member of membership. Before making a decision, the person in question must be made aware of the background to the case and given a period of two weeks to comment. The decision must be in writing and substantiated, as well as inform about the way of appealing the decision.
11. In the event of revoking the membership in accordance with section §6.10 above, the person in question may require that the decision must be dealt with on a Special or Annual General Meeting, and the person has the right to be present during the General Meeting’s dealing of the matter. The claim must be submitted within one week after the decision of revoked membership has been received.

1. The society is subject to the bookkeeping obligation, and annual accounts must be prepared and adopted by the annual genereal meeting. The annual accounts must be approved and signed by the chair of the board and all spiritual directors.
2. The society shall follow general legislation for accounting where applicable.
3. The accounts with all documents, extra information and sub-documentation shall be kept in a safe manner for a minimum of 5 years after the end of the financial year.
4. Bank accounts must be linked to the society:
   a. bank account for the society and its members where the chair of the board is responsible and is one of the people who will sign for payments
   b. bank account for bhikkhunis where their spiritual director is responsible and she is one of the people who will sign for payments
   c. bank account for bhikkhus where their spiritual director is responsible and he is one of the people who will sign for payments

   The online bank must be set up so that two board members must sign for payments from all bank accounts. The Society can obtain a bank card which, after approval by the committee, can be used by one or more committee members alone. All spiritual directors have the right to dispose of bank cards alone.

5. The Society’s money usage must be careful, moderate and frugal.

1. Annual General Meeting in general.
   a. The Annual General Meeting, which is held every year, is the Society’s highest authority, and is preferably held by the end of March.
   b. The Annual General Meeting is convened by the committee with at least one month’s notice, directly to the members or by announcement in the press. Proposals to be dealt with at the Annual General Meeting must be sent to the committee no later than two weeks before the Annual General Meeting. A complete agenda must be available to members no later than one week before the Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting may not deal with proposals that are not on the agenda, unless three quarters (3/4) of those present so calls for it.
   c. In the event of convening to the General Meeting in violation of the constitution, the General Meeting decides, respectively, during approval of the notice and approval of the agenda, whether the General Meeting has been lawfully convened and whether there are matters that cannot be dealt with.
   d. All members of the Society have the right to participate in General Meetings. The General Meeting may decide that other persons and/or media may be present, or that the General Meeting is only open to members and others with the right to attend.
   e. The General Meeting can proceed if a number of voting members that at least corresponds to the number of committee members to be elected by the Annual General Meeting, turns up. If the General Meeting can not proceed, a new General Meeting may be convened without a requirement for minimum participation.
   f. At the General Meeting, proposals for amendments to the constitution of the Society, that are not listed on the agenda that have been made available at the convening of the General Meeting, cf. §11, may not be dealt with. Other proposals can be dealt with when two thirds (2/3) of those present with the right to vote so decide, when approving the agenda.
   g. Minutes shall be kept for the Annual and the Special General Meeting.
2. The tasks of the General Meeting.
   a. Select the moderator.
   b. Approve the notice and the agenda.
   c. Deal with the annual report.
   d. Deal with the financial report.
   e. Deal with the received proposals.
   f. Determine the yearly membership fee.
   g. Elect chairman of the committee, secretary, financial manager, and other committee members.
3. Voting at the Annual General Meeting.
   a. Unless otherwise provided in the constitution of association, a resolution shall, in order to be valid, be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast. No member has more than one vote, and no one can vote on behalf of others. Blank votes shall be deemed not to have been cast.
   b. Elections take place in writing if there is more than one proposal or a request is made to make it in writing. Blank votes, or votes on proposals or candidates who are not nominated, do not count, and the votes are considered not cast.
   c. Election of committee members shall take place individually, and if no candidate obtains more than half of the votes cast, re-election shall be held between the two candidates who have obtained the most votes. If there is a tie in the re-election of a candidate, the election is decided by drawing lots.
4. Special General Meeting.
   a. Special General Meetings are held when the committee so decides, or when at least one third (1/3) of the members so requires it. Notice is given in the same way as for Annual General Meetings, with at least 14 days’ notice.
   b. A Special General Meeting (EGM) can only deal with and make a decision in the matters announced in the notice.

1. The committee is the highest authority between the Annual General Meetings. The committee shall hold a meeting when the chairman of the committee or a majority of the committee members so requests. The committee must:
   a. Implement General Meeting resolutions.
   b. Appoint any sub-committees or persons who are to perform special tasks, and prepare guidelines for these.
   c. Manage and maintain the necessary control of the Society’s finances in accordance with current guidelines.
   d. Represent the Society externally.
   e. Act as stewards for the Sangha, so that necessary activities that the Sangha cannot do under Vinaya are carried out, such as carrying out financial transactions.
   f. Establish or change guidelines for the Society’s operations and activities, within the framework of the constitution.
   g. Notwithstanding §9.1 f, and other provisions in the constitution: Before new guidelines can be adopted that affect or deal with the Sangha, or tangible or non-tangible assets that have been given for the use of the Sangha, or that are at the disposal of the Sangha, the proposal must first be approved by the relevant spiritual director.
2. The board consists of the chair, secretary, financial manager, board member and spiritual directors.
3. The board can make decisions when a majority of the board members are present. All spiritual directors must be present in order for the board to make decisions. Decisions are made by a majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie, the chairperson’s vote is decisive.
4. All proposals for decisions by the board must be approved by all spiritual directors before a decision is made, and no proposals for decisions are valid without the approval of the spiritual directors.
5. If a spiritual director does not approve a proposal for resolution, and a majority of the board members wish to proceed to adopt the proposal, the board may
   a. Convene a Special General Meeting to vote on the proposal.
   b. Forward the proposal to the next Annual General Meeting for voting.
   c. If the Annual or Special General Meeting votes in favour of the resolution, the committee shall implement the proposal.
6. Minutes shall be kept of the committee meeting.
7. When electing people to the board, the society shall prioritize people with membership.
8. A condition for being elected to the committee, with the exception of the first two years, is that the person must have been a member for 24 months before the date of the election. The committee may set aside this condition in exceptional situations.
9. A member may not sit on the committee for more than 4 consecutive years. This applies even in the event of a change to a new committee position. Exceptions are made for spiritual directors who are to add competence, long-term perspective and continuity.
10. Committee members may receive reimbursement for necessary, actual expenses incurred in relation to his or her position in the committee.

1. It is the Chair of the Board and all spiritual directors jointly who hold the right to sign.

1. Amendments to the association’s constitution can only be made at a Special or Annual General Meeting after having been listed on the agenda when notice is received, and a two-third (2/3) majority of the votes cast is required.
2. In the early phase after the Society’s start-up, while the Society still has very few members, requirements in the constitution can be temporarily relaxed or adjusted, to reflect the Society’s nature. This can, for example, apply to the number of people on the committee, and external representation. However, this does not apply to requirements regarding finances or General Meetings.

1. Dissolution of the Society can only be dealt with at the Annual General Meeting, and the proposal for dissolution of the Society must be listed on the agenda that has been made available in a notice when convening for the Annual General Meeting. Dissolution of the Society requires a four-fifths (4/5) majority.
2. After dissolution and debt settlement, the society’s assets shall accrue to the purpose the society works to promote, by giving the net assets to the Buddhist Federation, or equivalent national organization in Norway upon the dissolution of the society.