The World Fellowship of Buddhists องคการพุทธศาสนิกสัมพันธแหงโลก Vol. 3 No. 2 September - December B.E. 2557 (2014) กันยายน – ธันวาคม ๒๕๕๗ Highlight Stories Xuanzang, a Jewel The Special Significance of the World of Buddhism Fellowship of Buddhists Conference พระถังซำจั๋ง “ดวงมณี in Baoji, China ของพุทธศาสนา” ความสำคัญของการประชุมใหญสามัญ องคการ พุทธศาสนิกสัมพันธแหงโลก ณ นครเปาจี ประเทศจีน C M Y CM MY CY CMY K ISSN: 0125-023X The Headquarters 616 Benchasiri Park, Between Sukhumvit Soi 22 and 24, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: (662) 661-1284-87 Fax: (662) 661-0555 email: [email protected] website: http://the-wfb.org Office Bearers Guidelines Honorary President: 1. Belong to WFB, and Ven. Hsing Yun (Chinese Taipei) Ven. Yi Cheng (China) abide by constitution Ven. Kok Kwong (Chinese Hong Kong) reflecting a non-profit, non-sectarian, non- President: political international Mr. Phan Wannamethee (Thailand) organisation. Honorary Vice-Presidents: 2. Endeavours at all Dato’ Khoo Leong Hun (Malaysia) Lt. Gen. Chalom Wismol (Thailand) times to do its best to Ven. Ganegama Devamitta (Sri Lanka) Dr. Ananda W.P. Guruge (U.S.A.) the extent possible, Dr. Kim Eui-jeong (Korea) while meeting Vice-Presidents: every situation with Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan (Australia) Ven. Suddhananda Mahathero (Bangladesh) equanimity. No effort is Ven. Chuan Yin (China) Dr. Steven S. W. Huang (Chinese Taipei) made to solicit or acquire Ven. Manho Shih (Chinese Taipei) Ven. Dr. T. Dhammaratana (France) financial benefit or Ven. Dorin Genpo (Germany) Ven. Lama Lobzang (India) undue gain. Co-VP Mr. Ramdas Athawale (India) Rev. Shodo Kobayashi (Japan) 3. Does not necessarily Ven. Dr. Jinwol (South Korea) Dato’ Tan Gin Soon (Malaysia) endorse the views Ven. Choijiljab Dambajav (Mongolia) Mr. Padma Jyoti (Nepal) expressed by published Ven. Medagama Dhammananda (Sri Lanka) Mr. Arun Ngamdee (Thailand) contributors and reserves the right Executive Council Members: to review edit any Mr. Phan Wannamethee (Thailand) Mr. Phallop Thaiarry (Thailand) contribution prior to Mrs. Patcharin Vongsiridej (Thailand) Mr. Zhang Lin (China) publication. Dr. Yo, Hsiang-chou (Chinese Taipei) Mrs. Camellia Darmawan (Indonesia) Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu (Japan) Dr. Chi, Ran-Lee (South Korea) 4. Reserves the right to Mr. Jagath Sumathipala (Sri Lanka) Mrs. Kanchana Soonsawad (Thailand) reject any contributions Ven. Chao Chu (U.S.A.) which might damage to, or misunderstanding Chairpersons of The Standing Committee: about Buddhism, also to Finance: Mr. Pakrita Ranjan Barua (Bangladesh) individuals, groups, or Publication, Publicity, Education, Culture and Arts: Dr. Bikiran Prasad Barua (Bangladesh) institutions. Dhammaduta Activities: Dr. Kapukankanange Dora Malini Dias (Sri Lanka) Humanitarian Services: Rev. Ikuko Hibino (Japan) Unity and Solidarity: Mr. Henry Hien Dang, J.P. (Australia) Youth: Mr. Pornchai Pinyapong (Thailand) Socio-Economic Development: Ven. Ming Kuang (Chinese Taipei) Editorial board Women: Mrs. Hung Yi Shou (Chinese Taipei) Advisors Buddhist Pancasila Samadana: Ven. Hye-Jeong (Choi Jong-woong) (South Korea) Mr. Phan Wannamethee Environment: Mr. Heero Hito (India) Dato’ Khoo Leong Hun Interfaith Dialogue: Mr. Graeme Lyall AM (Australia) Dr. Ananda W. P. Guruge Liaison office to UNESCO and the UN: Under the responsibility of the Office of the Secretary General of the WFB Editorial Secretary General: Ven. Phra Dr. Anil Sakya Honorary Secretary General: Mr. Phallop Thaiarry (Thailand) Veera Prateepchaikul Smarn Sudto Honorary Deputy Secretary General: Ms. Sawanee Chuensumran (Thailand), Rev. Kim Sang, Ho (South Korea) Anjira Assavanonda Honorary Assistant Secretary General: Rear Admiral Isara Yimpanich (Thailand), Publisher Mr. Frank Carter (Australia), Col. Sudath Maducalle (Sri Lanka), Mr. Pramatha Barua (Bangladesh) Mr. Phallop Thaiarry Honorary Treasurer: Honorary Asst. Treasurer: Ms. Patcharin Vongsiridej (Thailand) Ms. Pensri Roungpong (Thailand) The World Fellowship of Buddhists Origins Founded on May 25, B.E. 2493 (1950) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the purposes of bringing Buddhists of the world closer together; exchanging news and views about the conditions of Buddhists in different countries; and discussing ways and means whereby Buddhists may make efforts towards the attainment of peace and happiness.There were 129 delegates from 26 countries who attended the first Conference which represented various schools of Buddhism; Mahayana and Vajrayana. Aims and Objectives A.) Promote among members diligent observance and practice of the teachings of the Buddha. B.) Secure unity, solidarity, and fellowship among Buddhists. C.) Propagate and sublime doctrine of the Buddha. D.) Organise and carry on activities in the field of social, educational, cultural and other humanitarian services. E) Work towards securing peace and harmony among people, happiness for all beings, and collaborate with other organizations working for the same ends. Regional Centres Membership as a Regional Centre is granted only to a Buddhist organization with reasonably good standing and whose objectives and activities are consist- ent with the aims and objectives of the WFB. There are at present 135 Regional Centres in 37 countries and on every continent of the world. Activities In addition to convening biennial General Conferences and meetings of Executive and the General Councils, the WFB conducts a variety of other international semi- nars and meetings of Buddhist leaders, educators and scholars periodically to exchange ideas and discuss problems related to Buddhist affairs. The WFB Head- quarters in Bangkok facilitates Buddhist studies and sangha ordination for many men and women and holds meditation classes the first Sunday of each month. The WFB maintains consultive status with UNESCO as a Category B non-govern- mental organization to represent a Buddhist point of view on matters related to education, culture and communication at UNESCO conferences and meetings. The WFB has also been recognized as non-governmental organisation (Category I), cooperating with the United Nations in the domain of Peace, Human Rights and Development. It participates in many activities and projects of United Nations agencies. It also undertakes various measures within its capacity in social welfare and humanitarian affairs. Publications The WFB Headquarters publishes materials which report on the activities of the WFB and facilitates the study and understanding of Buddhism throughout the world. A journal entitled WFB REVIEW is issued quarterly containing articles by Buddhist scholars and news about Buddhist activities the world over. The WFB Book series in English and Thai deals with a wide range of Buddhist subjects. Dear all respectable WFB members, President’s Message Dear all respectable WFB members, It is a great pleasure that the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) and the Government of the People’s Republic of China have given their support for the 27th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, which is to be held on October 14-19, B.E. 2557 (2014) in Baoji City, and at Famen Temple in Shaanxi Province. Both Baoji City and Famen Temple are Buddhist his- torical sites. Buddhism in China originated in Shaanxi before spreading to other provinces and nearby countries around 2,000 years ago, until the religion has become part of the culture and a shining light for Chinese people. Even though it is the first time for China to host the WFB General Conference, the country is not new to such an international Buddhist event. In the past, China had hosted the World Buddhist Conferences at least for three times. China’s supporting role for Buddhist conferences in many occasions have sent a message to the world that the Buddhist Association of China has been a strong partner with Buddhists all over the world, and that the freedom of belief and religion is always protected in China. Buddhism, in particular, has been accepted by hun- dreds of millions of Chinese people, and China is recog- nized as a country with the largest number of Buddhist followers in the world. This is a proof that the Buddha’s teachings are practical in every society. Those who follow the teachings are not only happy, but also able to solve problems in their daily lives. Let me show you an example of the teaching on the has been an astonishing Dhamma from 2,600 years ago 38 auspicious signs. This offers guidelines on how to live to present. your life, which include how to choose friends or associate When looking into the history, the arrival of with others in order to create a happy and prosperous life, Buddhism in China has brought significant changes to the how to choose a proper residence, how to complete your country’s arts and culture, as well as academic sector. For tasks daily at work, as well as how to seek more knowledge example, the book printing which today becomes popular and increase your skills. worldwide was originated in China in the 9th Century, The major principle of the teachings is about Karma when Buddhist propagators had to make a block for print- or one’s own deed. The Buddha taught that the sequence ing Buddhist sutras which were distributed to Chinese of deed and effect is natural. Good deeds produce good Buddhists at that time. As the number of Sutra prayers results, and bad deeds produce bad results. This teaching had increased, hand copying of the text was unable to indeed is a scientific explanation, with the sequence of meet the rising demand. As a result, a printing block was cause and result. It