Buddhist Leaders from 85 Countries to Join Buddhajayanti in Thailand

(18/05/2012)

Buddhist leaders from all over the world will join the ninth International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak in Thailand. The conference is part of celebrations for the 2,600th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Buddha, or Buddhajayanti, the biggest Buddhist event of the year. It will be held from 30 May to 2 June 2012 in three venues, namely Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, a public Buddhist university in Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province, the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, and Buddhamonthon, a Buddhist religious center in Nakhon Pathom province. The Government and the Sangha Supreme Council have entrusted Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University with organizing the International Buddhist Conference and other related activities to celebrate the 2,600th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Buddha. The celebrations are also meant to commemorate three auspicious occasions in 2012, namely His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 85th birthday, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday. Over 5,000 people from 85 countries will participate in the conference. Out of this number, 1,800 are Buddhist monks and the rest are Buddhist leaders, members of Buddhist organizations, and international academics. Among the VIPs will be the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Master Chuan Yin, President of the Buddhist Association of China. Apart from seminars and meetings, the conference will include speeches and messages, as well as cultural performances. At the end of the conference, the Bangkok Declaration 2012 will be issued. Various activities in celebration of Buddhajayanti will also be held across the country from 17 May to the Day of Vesak, or Visakha Puja, coinciding with 4 June this year. The Day of Vesak, which falls on the full-moon day of the sixth lunar month, commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment, and his passing away. It has been celebrated internationally as a significant event after the United Nations General Assembly in December 1999 adopted a resolution for international recognition of the Day of Vesak. In celebration of the world Visakha Puja Day 2012 and Buddhajayanti, Thailand will hold a Buddhism Week at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok from 29 May to 4 June. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening of the week on 30 May at 5:30 p.m. Major activities include Buddhist seminars, discussions, exhibitions, sermons, a spiritual walk, Dhamma “edutainment,” and a wian tian ceremony (walking around the main chapel of a temple three times, carrying a candle, incense sticks, and a lotus).