World Buddhist Sangha Youth the 4Th WBSY GENERAL CONFERENCE
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We Are One World Buddhist Sangha Youth The 4th WBSY GENERAL CONFERENCE 11-17 December 2007 at Wat Sanghathan - Wat Phra Dhammakaya , Thailand www.kalyanamitra.org WORLD BUDDHIST SANGHA YOUTH OBJECTIVE * To develop Buddhist youth organization and exchanges of Buddhist Sangha youth worldwide. * To assist Buddhist Sangha youth activities throughout the world. * To enhance harmony and relationship among the Sangha youth of different-Buddhist traditions. * To protect the Buddhist Sangha youth of the world from all forms of obstacles they might have to face. * To develop the Buddhist Sangha youth through education and welfare. * To develop “ Buddhayana” in the World without discriminating between Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana or other denominations/traditions and to encourage unity in the world Buddhist Sangha youth. * To protect and develop the identifying features of each Buddhist monastic denomination/tradition. * To bring the world’s Buddhist Sangha youth members together annually to discuss support for the underdeveloped countries and to determine matters of priority nd to take action to support those contries. A BRIBE HISTORY The World Buddhst Sangha Youth was founded by Venerable Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thera and was incorporated on 8 Feb. 2004 at the Asoka Charumati Vihara, Katmandu, Nepal. Today, the Sangha Members registered with WBSY comprise monks/ nuns from various Buddhist traditions. They come from 26 countries including the United States of America, India Nepal Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, Korea, Japan, France, France, England, Bhutan, Bahgladesh, Taiwan, Switzerland, Thailand, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam,Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia. A TIME LINE OF WBSY CONFERENCE 1st General Conference 9th to 11 Nov. 2004 at Bodhagaya, India. 2nd General Conference 9th to 11 Dec 2005 at Sieh Kah Eeha, Melaka, Maliasia. 3rd General Conference 2nd to 5th Dec 2006 at Tholangamuwa, Warakapola & Madatugama Kekirawa-Sri Lanka 4th General Conference 11th to 17th Dec Wat Sanghathan - Wat Phra Dhammaka, Thailand. WORLD BUDDHIST SANGHA YOUTH ADMINISTRATION OFFICE Vangdoen Rd. Wat Arunraj wararam Bangkokyai Bangkok-Thailand Website : www.wbsy.org , E-mail: [email protected] www.kalyanamitra.org P re fa c e Buddhism had been expounded for over 2550 years in various regions throughout the world. Although the practices have been altered according to the climate, tradition, and culture of each area, they share a faith in the teachings of the Lord Buddha through which they know genuine peace will be brought not only to themselves, but to whoever else becomes acquainted with it. In December 2007,350 Buddhist monks from various Buddhist sects around the world attended the 4th General Conference of the World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY) under the title “We Are One - 2550 Years of Buddhism”. These were young and active Buddhist monks, all of whom have dedicated their lives to propagating Buddhism around the world. They expressed their opinions and wished to see their Buddhist works be discussed and supported by the Buddhist community at large. The conference was held in Bangkok by Wat Sanghathana and Wat Phra Dhammakaya during the 11 ,h-18th December, 2007. There were discussions on various issues concerning the propagation of Buddhism in the rapidly globalizing world as well as rediscovering and embracing the “common denominator” between the various Buddhist sects. Everyone in the world fundamentally wants to be happy, many indulge in sensual pleasures to the extreme because they believe that it is the way to find genuine happiness, especially in our current era of globalization where anything across the globe can be obtained instantly. However, most can never find genuine happiness using that method and they search for spiritual refuge that will uplift the quality and state of their mind. Every son of the Lord Buddha knows that indulging in sensual pleasures is not the solution to discovering true happiness. The way is through spiritual development, and thus they propagate ‘The Way” every chance they can, often through telecommunication technology. As a result, more people around the world realize that only when the mind is settled can it truly be happy. Buddhism has been practiced in various ways according to each sect of Buddhism one studies. Fundamentally, Buddhism teaches the same thing. As a result, Buddhist monks have been waiting for the moment to reunify, just as it was in the time of the Lord Buddha, so as to discuss with each other the projects they have dedicated their life towards. However, rarely has there been such an opportunity or occasion. That is, until the 4th WBSY General Conference. This conference may not achieve great success in implementing any absolute solution to the social and economic problems in the world but it did inspire each and every participant to carry on in their work with renewed vigor and dedication. They realized that although the practices and ceremonies might be different, they share the same faith, belief and goal in finding genuine peace and in teaching that peace so others may find and cherish it as well. As a result they agreed on the issue that meditation is the only method that helps bring about true peace because meditation is universal and can be practiced by people of any race, religion, creed or belief. Another achievement of this event is that all participants realized how a gathering as great as this can be organized and conducted. Also, they now know that they are not alone in propagating the Dhamma throughout the world. This is brotherhood who shares the same Father. As the first-ever monk from Uganda to attend a WBSY conference said, “I thought I was alone in Africa but I have no fear now because I know have brothers around the world. Now I am ready to work.” The most important key to success is to know that we are not working alone and there will always be someone ready to reach out for us whenever we need. This conference reassured such feelings and now everyone is ready to work for the greater good of Buddhism. This one small step is a great leap forward in propagating Buddhism which is deemed the most peaceful religion in the world due to the fact that its practitioners have no feelings or discrimination against race, color or religion. It is the religion that teaches everyone how to find genuine peace and be able to rely on one’s own. It is not only a religion but it is also the most peaceful way of life. Now there are at least 350 Ambassadors of Peace, from the 4th WBSY General Conference, who are ready to be the shining light for the world and to look after their other brothers. Now, more steps are ready to be taken since propagation of Buddhism began 2550 years ago. But now there is the assurance that the way to find genuine peace will be available to everyone who wants it and that they will never stop, especially when there are brothers walking along beside them. This is the power of the sons of the Lord Buddha when they unite as one, just as there is only one single sun in the sky. Editorial Board www.kalyanamitra.org Ven. Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero From Sri Lanka Secretary General of WBSY and Founder Welcome speech on 11 DEC 2550(B.E.) Most venerable PraAthikarn Sanong Khatapunyo, Mahathero, Abbot Wat Sanghathan, most venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka Maha Thero the President of National Sangha Council of Sri Lanka most venerable Nakajima from Japan, most venerable Kalsang Lama from Nepal, most venerablesirs. Today I am very happy to all of you to welcome here. This is the 4lh general conference of World Buddhist Sangha Youth. Behalf of the WBSY, I would like to warmly welcome the abbot of this WatSanghathan temple Pra Athikarn Sanong Khatapunyo, Mahathero. Next I would like to warmlywelcome most venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka Maha Thero the President of National Sangha Council of Sri Lanka. Next I would like to warmly welcome president of Huayen Buddist Association from Taiwan. Next I would like to warmly welcome the Dambajav Choijiljan Lama from Monkolia. Kalsang Lama from Nepal Nakajima Ubo san from Japan. Venerable Hui Guang from Agentina, Venerable Sonum Dorji Lama from Bhutan, Venerable Buddharakkita from Ukanda, Venerable Thich Hanh Tan from Germany, and venerable most venerable Indarabana mahathero from the Sanghanayika of southern provinces of Sri Lanka, most venerable Malagane Atthadassi mahathero of the Sanghanayika of northwestern provinces of Sri Lanka and all the Buddhist Sangha member and nun member and all the member of Sangha and brother and sister in Dhama. I behalf of WBSY warmly welcome today here. Thank you very much. Most Venerable Luang Por Pra Athikarn Sanong Katapunyo The Chief Abbot of Wat Sanghathan Opening Ceremony and Welcome Speech Good evening, venerable monks & nuns. Welcome to Wat Sanghatan. Today is a very good occasion that Sangha youth from 30 countries around the world meet together at Wat Sanghatan. Welcome Agentina. Welcome Australia. Welcome Austria. Welcome Bangladesh Welcome Bhutan. Welcome Cambodia. Welcome China. Welcome Finland Welcome France. Welcome Germany. Welcome India. Welcome Ireland Welcome Japan. Welcome Lao. Welcome Malaysia. Welcome Mongkolia. Welcome Myanmar. Welcome Nepal. Welcome Netherlands. Welcome New Zealand Welcome Russia. Welcome Singapore. Welcome South Africa. Welcome Sri Lanka Welcome Taiwan. Welcome United States of America, and Welcome Vietnam. Please feel free and comfortable that Wat Sanghathan is your place and we are relatives. If you need any help please feel free to ask from our volunteers and staffs. Now I would like to open this meeting with the blessing “May good merit bless this meeting and the Dhamma of Lord Buddha bring us together in peaceful harmony and understanding.” Thank you very much. www.kalyanamitra.org Most Ven. Zhi-ji Ahdharma Buddha The Patriarch of Bhagawan Gu Fan Mi Chiness Han Transmission Thatrayana Buddhism “The World Buddhist Sangha Youth is like the sun rising at the early dawn in the east.