Help Us Help Others
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
About Us
Our mission
Our offerings
Our offerings
CEBA is a small group of dedicated volunteers seeking ways to apply the insights from meditation practice and Buddha’s teachings to help relieve suffering and injustice. Individual member’s efforts and initiatives locally have focused on relieving animals suffering and environmental causes, while globally, as an organization, have been su
CEBA is a small group of dedicated volunteers seeking ways to apply the insights from meditation practice and Buddha’s teachings to help relieve suffering and injustice. Individual member’s efforts and initiatives locally have focused on relieving animals suffering and environmental causes, while globally, as an organization, have been supporting the “Metta Family” of projects (See "Our Projects" or visit www.servelumbini.org) in Lumbini, Nepal since CEBA’s inception through fundraising, awareness events, volunteering and organizing meaningful travel such as our “Heavenly Himalayas Holidays” to Nepal and Meditation Retreats at Alegria Dharma Center in Costa Rica.
CEBA's mission includes:
Advancing the practices of the Buddhist faith while promoting intra-Buddhist and inter-spiritual learning and dialogue in Canada and internationally.
Improving animal welfare and living standards of people in Nepal through education of both children and adults, provision of medical clinics, construction of wells and sewage maintenance systems, reforestation projects and literacy programs.
Providing a Dharma Centre (Bodhi Institute) for the community, pilgrims and other travellers in Lumbini, Nepal (the birthplace of the Buddha and a World Heritage Site).
Our offerings
Our offerings
Our offerings
Weekly Meditation and Dharma Discussions
with Bhante Metteyya and Guruma Bodhi
2025 Schedule
Mondays 6-8 pm Mountain Time.
Padmanadi Downtown, 10740-101 Street
Edmonton
These sessions are drop-in and by donation.
No experience is needed.
Donations via etransfer to: CEBAbodhi @ gmail.com
Our projects
Our offerings
Our projects
Bodhi Institute - CEBA is nearing completion of its flagship Peace Education and Meditation Centre in the World Heritage Site of Buddha's Birthplace in Lumbini, Nepal. "Bodhi" will be host to conferences, retreats, training seminars, and library for locals and foreigners alike. It will also be home to Lumbini's first dedicated veterin
Bodhi Institute - CEBA is nearing completion of its flagship Peace Education and Meditation Centre in the World Heritage Site of Buddha's Birthplace in Lumbini, Nepal. "Bodhi" will be host to conferences, retreats, training seminars, and library for locals and foreigners alike. It will also be home to Lumbini's first dedicated veterinary clinic to be opening near the end of 2023. Join our Heavenly Himalayas Holiday meaningful vacation to Nepal and Bali in November for the Grand Opening of "Bodhi!"
Karuna Girls School - CEBA is a founding supporter of Karuna Girls College located next door to the Peacegrove Nunnery. The school opened its doors in 2013 with support from Action 5, One Grain of Rice and, Anatta and Medical Mercy. Today the school is completing the 3rd story with help from One Child's Village. Anatta Children’s Library is also located at this site.
Metta School and Punnihawa School - At age 15, Ven. Metteyya began building Metta Schools along with dedicated friends, calling it ‘A Seed of Compassion.’ The 2 schools provide pre-kindergarten to grade 9 education to approximately 1500 students and encourage many young volunteers to spread the gift of education to the children of Lumbini.
Lumbini Crane Sanctuary - is a wetland conservation project to protect endangered Sarus crane habitat from the rapid-pace development in Lumbini. Ven. Metteyya, a local nature and environment advocate, solely was charged with caring for it in its early years and CEBA provided support. In recent years, now with the support of World Wildlife Foundation and International Crane Foundation, several new wetlands and trails have been constructed. The crane population has quadrupled and populations of birds, fish, amphibians, mammals and reptiles are all flourishing and calling this home.
Peacegrove Nunnery - locally known as Shantikunja Vihara, grew out of a need to continue to educate the female graduates from Metta Schools before we had the non-coed option of Karuna School. Today we have 22 resident nuns and two abroad; local families, weary travelers also spend time here, when full moon "uposatha" days, great festivals and feasts for the community are held.
Lumbini Animal Clinic - In collaboration with Animal Nepal, CEBA has been holding annual mobile vet clinics since 2014. The vets treat illnesses and injuries as well, in more recent years, have been able to neuter approximately 300 stray dogs each time. CEBA has longed to be in a position to help the animals on a more permanent basis, as there are no vet clinics in Lumbini. This year (2023) we look forward to opening the doors of Lumbini’s first Animal Clinic at Bodhi Institute where sick and injured stray as well as wild and domestic animals can be treated.
Earthquake and Covid Relief - from time to time, sadly, disaster strikes. CEBA along with our Metta Family on the ground in Nepal has been able to provide a formidable presence on the relief front. During the 2015 earthquakes we were able to support missions to relocate and rebuild the hermitage of 100 mountain nuns, provide food, medicine and temporary shelter to hard hit and hard to reach marginalized communities, and set up a communications center where relief agencies could stay up to date on where their efforts were most needed. During Covid-19, in 2021, when Nepal was nearly crippled and the health system was completely overwhelmed we were able to coordinate funds we raised for the most needed items such as life-giving Oxygen concentrator machines.
Our history
Our partners
Our projects
CEBA
was formed to help animals, the environment and those less fortunate and to solidify the practice of generosity amongst our members. We also wanted to offer the Buddha's teachings and meditation as a means to strengthen our social justice activism, and to develop our wisdom and compassion.
In most religions an essential spiritual pr
CEBA
was formed to help animals, the environment and those less fortunate and to solidify the practice of generosity amongst our members. We also wanted to offer the Buddha's teachings and meditation as a means to strengthen our social justice activism, and to develop our wisdom and compassion.
In most religions an essential spiritual practice is giving, and Buddhism is no exception. In fact, "Dana" or generosity in Buddhism is a profound teaching that helps us not only to help others, but to practice compassion, see the interdependence of all phenomena, and to lessen the grip we have on our ego.
Our team
Our partners
Our partners
Venerable Metteyya - Spiritual Director
is the heart, soul and inspiration of CEBA.
Venerable Metteyya is a highly respected Buddhist monk, scholar, and humanitarian from Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha. His lifelong dedication to compassionate action has led to transformative contributions in education, environmental cons
Venerable Metteyya - Spiritual Director
is the heart, soul and inspiration of CEBA.
Venerable Metteyya is a highly respected Buddhist monk, scholar, and humanitarian from Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha. His lifelong dedication to compassionate action has led to transformative contributions in education, environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, and Buddhist diplomacy.
Ordained as a Theravāda monk, Bhante Metteyya has spent over 25 years developing projects that serve both his local community and the global Buddhist landscape. He founded Metta Schools, Karuna Girls’ College, Peace Grove Nunnery, and the Bodhi Institute for Peace Education, which together provide education and support to over 1,500 students annually. He also co-founded the Canadian Engaged Buddhism Association (CEBA)and the Alegría Dharma Centre in Costa Rica, extending his teachings and humanitarian work internationally.
Recognized for his leadership, Bhante Metteyya served as Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust (2017–2023),appointed by the Nepalese government. In this role, he managed the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Buddha’s Birthplace, led international Buddhist conferences, and played a key role in the revitalization and completion of the Lumbini Development Master Plan. He also spearheaded the development and promotion of the Greater Lumbini Framework and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nomination Package for Buddha’s historic hometown of Kapilvastu (Tilaurakot), set to be submitted in June 2025. His efforts in cultural preservation and peacebuilding have earned him numerous national and international honours, including the Suprabal Janasevashree Tritiya Shreni, one of Nepal’s highest civilian awards.
An accomplished academic, he holds a BA and MA in Buddhist Studies and is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Buddhism at Lumbini Buddhist University. Though rooted in the Theravāda tradition and Vipassana meditation, Bhante Metteyya has also studied with Tibetan and Vietnamese Pure Land masters, enriching his approach to Buddhist teachings.
His work has been featured in international documentaries, including The Buddha(PBS, 2010) and On Meditation (Snapdragon Films, 2014). A sought-after speaker, he has represented Nepal at global Buddhist summits and peace conferences, engaging in Buddhist diplomacy and interfaith dialogue worldwide.
Bhante Metteyya continues to dedicate his life to the service of others, bridging ancient wisdom with modern needs to foster education, peace, and social change.
Guruma Bodhi – President
Guruma Bodhi is an environmental scientist and Buddhist nun whose life’s passion has been dedicated to improving the environment for animals. Her diverse journey has included teaching an elephant to paint as a means of protecting its habitat, competing in triathlons, guiding meaningful holiday trips, and providing training as a master composter and recycler. She has also served as a university chaplain, supporting students on their spiritual paths.
As the Dharma (spiritual) mother of Venerable Metteyya, she has worked alongside him to co-found the Canadian Engaged Buddhism Association (CEBA), Metta Schools, Karuna Girls’ School, Peace Grove Nunnery, Bodhi Institute Peace Education Centre, Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, and the Lumbini Animal Clinic.
Lisa Kapty (Sumitra) – Vice President
is a tireless and compassionate caregiver dedicated to improving the lives of all in her charge. Sumitra has visited the Nepal projects and is committed to seeing all our nuns and students succeed.
David Parker (Abhayo) – Treasurer
is our resident EcoSattva Warrior. Professionally he taught Engineering while also carrying on a full plate of environmental and animal rights activism and politics. Co-founding along with his wife (Margaret –see below) Vegans and Vegetarians of Alberta, and running for the Green Party.
Margaret Marean – Secretary
keeps this train on track. A retired psychologist, Margaret has all the tools and a big heart to accomplish and enable others to do good work in the world. She is passionate about family, health, fitness, the environment and animals and also has been very involved in the Green Party and Vegans and Vegetarians of Alberta.
Hira Moktan – Cultural Director
provides a window into the soul of Nepali culture. He has been integral to the success of our work in Lumbini. By day Hira is an environmental hydrogeologist and is raising three bright kids.
Miguel Ferrero - Director
is a retired cartographer and has spent considerable time volunteering in Lumbini. When not making authentic Spanish Paella for special events, Mig is busy helping others. Giving of himself is his superpower and Dharma practice.
Diane Scott – Director
is steeped in eastern traditions and philosophies and embodies zen peace and purposefulness . Music is her gift. She teaches traditional folk drumming, sings in choirs, leads drumming circles and performs spiritual Kirtan.
Our partners
Our partners
Our partners
Lumbini Social Service Foundation
Is a nonprofit organization founded and managed by the local Lumbini community.
Our mission is to put compassion and wisdom into practical action, to help create better communities.
Lumbini Social Service Foundation
Is a nonprofit organization founded and managed by the local Lumbini community.
Our mission is to put compassion and wisdom into practical action, to help create better communities.
Anatta World Health and Education
Creating and supporting medical and educational programs for children in developing countries.
Anatta (anattaworldhealth.org)
One Child's Village
Was built on the belief that it takes a village to raise a child. Children are among the most vulnerable members of our sacred global family. We strive to support local community leaders with empowerment and encouragement.
One Child's Village | Charity (onechildsvillage.org)
Animal Nepal
Helping to create a society where all animals can live a life free from pain, suffering and human cruelty.
Animal Nepal : A voice for the voiceless
Sell for a Well
Building drinking water wells and supporting Metta Schools in Nepal. Find us on Facebook.
Tzu Chi
has been contributing to better social and community services, medical care, education and humanism in Taiwan and around the world.
Help Us Help Others
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.