The Pure Land Foundation
Bruno Wang is the founder of The Pure Land Foundation
The Pure Land Foundation is a UK-registered charity with a deep legacy of achievements since 2015, supporting projects and initiatives focused on spirituality and wellness, LGBTQ+ perspectives and healing through creative pursuits
Today, the Pure Land Foundation is primarily a digital-first advocacy organisation that is focused on advocating for the adoption of philosophies and precepts derived from ancient Buddhist wisdom in response to the mental health crises of modern life.
After a sustained period of unprecedented global events, 970 million people worldwide are currently experiencing poor mental health. In the United Kingdom alone, in 2024 more than 1 in 4 young people and 1 in 7 adults reported that their mental health was the worst that it has ever been. 29% of adults in the United States will be diagnosed with depression in their lifetime, and over 300 million people globally live with anxiety disorders that affect their daily life.
The Pure Land Foundation engenders Bruno Wang’s desire to promote spiritual and emotional wellness across these diverse global communities. Bruno Wang believes that mental health is the biggest crisis currently facing humanity, and that a lot of modern crisis and suffering comes from the heart in the form of unresolved anger, pain and resentment.
Bruno Wang believes that one’s inner universe is often reflected in an outer reality, and whilst one cannot control the world, one can control how to respond to it. The Pure Land Foundation advocates for the adoption of Buddhist inspired philosophies into modern life to relieve individual suffering and to support better spiritual and emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Bruno Wang, through the Pure Land Foundation, also champions creative work that bring unique perspectives to the fore, particularly from marginalised communities such as LGBTQ+ artists and activists. He hopes that by building a platform that speaks visually to a wider audience worldwide, he can help people broaden their empathy and understanding, eventually opening their hearts and minds to the common issues that people are struggling with today.
Core Values
The foundation’s focus on addressing mental health issues with spiritual philosophies was previously captured through The Pure Land Series, an innovative programme of talks and events in collaboration with The China Exchange.
These events featured discussions centred around compelling subjects such as the effects of the modern world on mental health, coping with grief, war and much more. The Pure Land Foundation is deeply influenced by Bruno Wang’s own personal experiences and spirituality and is inspired by his dedication to spiritual and holistic health and wellbeing.
The name "Pure Land" is drawn from an ancient Buddhist concept symbolising a pure, compassionate and harmonious environment, which mirrors the mission of the Pure Land Foundation.
Since 2015 the Pure Land Foundation has also embraced a holistic approach by combining elements such as cultural enrichment, emotional health, and educational advancement.
Under the patronage of Bruno Wang the Foundation has also supported projects that focus on the transformative power of the arts and education to cultivate a more compassionate, cooperative and enlightened society. Art has well-documented healing powers, and The Pure Land Foundation places a strong emphasis on the arts, its connection to spirituality and how combining both can lead to a more fulfilled and balanced life.
Since 2024, the Pure Land Foundation has shifted its focus from supporting projects as a charitable organisation to becoming an active digital advocacy platform that communicates the relevance of ancient Eastern teachings in a modern, Western society, particularly when tackling the mental health crisis that significantly affects the youth of today.
In 2025, the Pure Land Foundation worked with LGBTQ+ advocate and Buddhist monk Kodo Nishimura to create powerful messages of spirituality, self acceptance and inclusivity. This collaboration further highlighted Bruno Wang’s commitment to amplify voices from diverse communities and his dedication to make the world realise that ancient wisdom can be utilised to tackle urgent, modern challenges.
By mindfully supporting a wide range of cultural initiatives that foster creativity and artistic expression, The Pure Land Foundation will make art accessible to a wider audience to spread its beneficial effects on mental health and promote resilient emotional wellness.
Previous Collaborations and Events
Lessons of Life with Japan’s Zen Master Osho Taigu
The Pure Land Foundation hosted a unique event in London in autumn 2024. The organisation brought Japan’s “Rebel Monk”, Zen Master Osho Taigu, to give a live discourse to Western audience for the first time. This event was accompanied by a series of videos produced with Osho which give practical advice rooted in Buddhist wisdom to tackle a host of modern-day problems. The collaboration also documented the journey of British individuals who met with Osho in London and then moved on to make a lasting difference to their day-to-day lives.
Series on self-acceptance with Buddhist monk and LGBTQ+ activist Kodo Nishimura
You can be queer, Buddhist and feel beautiful. This is the eye-opening message conveyed
by this illuminating video series produced in collaboration with Kodo Nishimura. Kodo is a Buddhist monk who is a prominent make-up artist in New York, who is also an active LGBTQ+ activist who has spoken at international stages, including at Oxford University and at Yale for a United Nations Population Fund event.
Dying Matters with end-of-life companion Bridget Haley I Dying Matters Awareness Week
Breaking the silence around death can be a powerful way to create space for presence, peace and meaningful connections for our loved ones. In this project, the Pure Land Foundation presented a series on the need for conversations around death, with end-of-life companion Bridget Haley. This profoundly moving project highlights the fact that death is no longer something we can’t confront, and by talking about it, we actually enhance our collective humanity and give our loved ones the care and support they need.
Quiet The Mind - With Goldie Hawn
At the inaugural event of the Pureland Series at the China Exchange, Goldie Hawn led the audience in a ‘brain break’ demonstration. Research shows that regular mindfulness practice significantly improves well-being, and the event left attendees feeling inspired and motivated.
Goldie Hawn, actress and founder of the acclaimed Hawn Foundation, introduced the Pureland Series at the China Exchange, where she shared her unique insights on mindfulness and her MindUp program.
The Hawn Foundation, established over a decade ago, developed MindUP to equip children worldwide with tools to manage the growing challenges of stress, anxiety, poverty, and violence.
Premiere Screening of "Above the Drowning Sea"
Bruno Wang and The Pure Land Foundation supported the premiere of “Above The Drowning Sea”. This film screening highlighted the historical connection between Jewish refugees and Chinese communities during World War II.
Music and the Holocaust
The Pure Land Foundation hosted Dr. Nick Strimple, a world-renowned composer from the University of Southern California. Dr. Strimple delivered a fascinating and deeply moving presentation on the role of music in the lives of those most affected by the Holocaust during World War II. His profound exploration highlighted how music provided solace and resilience to Holocaust survivors, showcasing the enduring power of art in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Sand Mandala of Compassion
Bruno Wang and The Pure Land Foundation featured a unique Buddhist tradition known as the Tibetan Sand Mandala of Compassion ceremony. During this event, senior Tibetan monks meticulously created an intricate and colorful geometric pattern using various colored sands, taking three days to complete the mandala. Once finished, the monks ritualistically destroyed the mandala to symbolise the Buddhist beliefs of impermanence. The sands of the mandala, infused with healing intentions and prayers from attendees, were released into the river Thames after its destruction, reflecting the Buddhist principle of transferring merit to all sentient beings.
The Prince Healing Centre
Bruno Wang and The Pure Land Foundation played a pivotal role in supporting the establishment of the Prince Healing Centre at Dumfries House. This initiative was designed to provide patients across the United Kingdom with access to alternative therapies and holistic treatments.
The Prince Healing Centre, made possible through the foundation’s generous support, offers a range of complementary therapies aimed at enhancing overall well-being and supporting conventional medical treatments. By integrating practices such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, and mindfulness into patient care, the centre seeks to address both physical and emotional health needs in a comprehensive manner.
The collaboration between Bruno Wang, The Pure Land Foundation, and Dumfries House reflects a shared commitment to improving health outcomes and expanding the availability of alternative therapeutic options. The creation of this centre marks a significant step in providing individuals with more personalised and diverse approaches to health care, ultimately contributing to a more holistic and inclusive model of wellness.
The Pure Land Foundation hosted Dr. Nick Strimple, a world-renowned composer from the University of Southern California. Dr. Strimple delivered a fascinating and deeply moving presentation on the role of music in the lives of those most affected by the Holocaust during World War II. His profound exploration highlighted how music provided solace and resilience to Holocaust survivors, showcasing the enduring power of art in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Men's Mental Health
The Pure Land Foundation facilitated an important discussion on the unique mental health challenges faced by men, showcased through The Pureland Series. Experts including Paul Farmer, CEO of MIND; Jon Salmon; Dr. Steve Young from the US Embassy; and Joel Beckman, General Manager of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), shared personal experiences and advice. The event, led by Sean Fletcher of Good Morning Britain, was rich in insights. The panel unanimously agreed that while mental health has become an easier topic to discuss publicly in recent years, significant work remains to be done.
BFI Flare: London's LGBTQ+ Film Festival
In 2019, the Pure Land Foundation once again served as the principal sponsor of BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival. The partnership reflects the foundation’s commitment to supporting diverse and inclusive cultural events.
By sponsoring this festival, The Pure Land Foundation aims to contribute to the visibility and appreciation of LGBTQ+ narratives, fostering a more inclusive cultural landscape. This continued support reflects the foundation’s broader mission to champion diversity and enrich the cultural dialogue through meaningful and impactful sponsorships.
What Is Next?
Taken together, the Pure Land Foundation’s past and current work transcends clinical and prescriptive thoughts on mental health, Buddhism and modernism. Instead, it addresses the deeper existential and spiritual dimensions of wellbeing which greatly benefit global societies.
Through the foundation’s work, individuals are encouraged to explore their spirituality, find meaning and develop a sense of purpose, which can be profoundly healing. The unique and far-reaching vision has established a legacy of constructive transformation.
By staying true to its core values and continually seeking innovative ways to promote mental and spiritual health, the Pure Land Foundation seeks not only to address the immediate mental health crisis that is enveloping the world, but to also contribute to the long-term wellbeing of individuals and society. The foundation also diligently continues to showcase the power of creative expression when used as a tool for self and community development.
The Pure Land Foundation will go on to forge more unique collaborations that will express and dissect its profound worldview about the synchronicity of ancient teachings and spirituality with the fluid and dynamic way the modern world operates today.