A Closing Address
by
H.E. Phan Wannamethee
President of the World
Fellowship of Buddhists
at the International Conference on Buddhism and World
Peace
on 10th February B.E. 2545 (2002)
at Maxx Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Venerable,
Honourable Members of the World Buddhist University
Council,
Distinguished Participants,
Friends in the Dhamma,
It is my great pleasure and privilege to be with you at this Closing Ceremony.
I am happy to learn that the two days Meeting has successfully implemented and achieved its objectives.
It was just over one year ago, on December 9, B.E. 2543 (2000) that I have the honour of delivering the remarks at the Inauguration of the World Buddhist University which was presided over by His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand and attending the First Meeting of the World Buddhist University Council at the Auditorium of the World Fellowship of Buddhists together with more than five hundred World Buddhists participating in this great event and the 21st General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists from 5-10 December B.E. 2543 (2000) in Bangkok. It is then great and pleasure I again have the honour of delivering the closing address to the International Conference on Buddhism and World Peace today.
It is my great pleasure to hear that in a little more than one year we have made great progress toward developing the World Buddhist University according to the action plan. Our four Institutes namely: Research and Development, Training and Curriculum, Spiritual Practice, and Education have all been busy working to meet the objectives set for them by the WBU Council. University infrastructure is being developed. Associations with existing Universities, training centers and Buddhist Scholars are being formed. Minds are coming together and new ideas for world peace based on Buddhist principles are being formulated. Through their proceedings over the past tow days both the World Buddhist University Council and the delegates to the International Conference on Buddhism and World Peace have provided us with valued direction and sound ideas to further develop our University objective of involving Buddhism in solving global crisis.
We have seen over the past year, graphic and tragic evidence of the desperate need for peace and harmony around the world. This has focused our thinking in search of viable solutions to world social conflict which may (be) based on the Buddhist verse in Dhammapada quoted as follows:
Jayam Verum Pasavati - Dukham Seti Parajito
Upasanto Sukham Seti - Hiva Jaya - Parajayam
“Victory breeds hatred. The defeated live in pain.
Happily the peaceful live, having given up both victory
and defeat”
In conclusion, I would like to confirm that a Buddhist community, we here today, have an obligation to promote peaceful solutions for World Peace. As a Buddhist University Community, we have a mission to develop these solutions.
The moment is now auspicious. May I declare the International Conference on Buddhism and World Peace closed and wish all of you a pleasant journey back to your home countries.
Thank you