True Buddha Foundation Announcement
New Provisions on “Nominal Cultivation Venues” in the True Buddha School

Document No.: TBF-0009
Date of Issue: 26 October, 2026

Subject:
To address the cultivation needs of fellow disciples around the world, respond to the varying stages of development of cultivation venues in different regions, and further improve the School’s cultivation venue approval and management system, the True Buddha Foundation (TBF) has added provisions concerning “Nominal Cultivation Venue” to the True Buddha School Bylaws. The amendments were discussed at the Sixth Standing Committee Meeting and unanimously approved by all 21 Standing Committee members. They are hereby announced in conjunction with the launch of the new True Buddha Cultivation Venue Online Renewal System.

1. Addressing Local Circumstances and Sustaining Cultivation
   Cultivation venues in different regions vary in their founding circumstances, staffing, scale, and operational capacity. Some existing cultivation venues or newly applying groups may not yet meet the requirements for establishing or managing an officially recognized cultivation venue. Nevertheless, their members have a genuine need to cultivate together, study the Dharma, and maintain their connection with the School.
   
   The TBF values every aspiration to uphold the lineage and serve fellow disciples. It has therefore established the “Nominal Cultivation Venue” system, allowing applicants who meet the basic requirements and receive TBF approval to continue organizing group practice, Dharma study, and activities that maintain their connection with the School, within the scope authorized by the TBF.
   
   
2. Providing an Appropriate Pathway and Supporting Steady Development
   The purpose of this system is to provide cultivation venues at different stages of development with appropriate pathways for approval and guidance, while taking into account both practical needs and the School’s regulations.
   
   On the one hand, it recognizes the cultivation connections and foundations established by existing venues and helps sustain the ties between disciples and the School. On the other hand, it provides disciples who wish to establish group practice centers with a clear application pathway once they meet the basic requirements. This enables them to gradually consolidate their efforts and develop steadily, with the option of applying for official venue status when the necessary conditions are met.
   
   
3. Clarifying Management Regulations and Safeguarding Public Trust
   Through clear eligibility criteria, defined scopes of activities, and management regulations, the TBF seeks to further strengthen cultivation venue operations, and safeguard the trust of disciples and those who make offerings. It also aims to promote communication and cooperation among cultivation venues in different regions, ensuring that the School’s development has both broad reach and a solid foundation, so that more sentient beings with the affinity may draw near to the Dharma and engage in cultivation together.
   
   
4. Integrating Annual Certification and Implementing Service and Guidance
   This system will be implemented in conjunction with the launch of the Cultivation Venue Online Renewal System on November 1, 2026, and integrated with annual certification and related management procedures. This will make cultivation venue records, approval status, and annual status clearer, while enabling TBF to provide appropriate communication, services, and guidance according to each cultivation venue’s actual circumstances.
   
   
5. Reviewing the Detailed Regulations for Nominal Cultivation Venues and Complying with the Requirements
   For information regarding application requirements, approval procedures, permitted activities, rights and obligations and related regulations for Nominal Cultivation Venues, please refer to the “Detailed Regulations for Nominal Cultivation Venues” page on the True Buddha School Administrative Network website and follow the provisions and relevant procedural announcements published there.
   
   https://truebuddhaschool.org/codeofconduct/amendment_20261026