There are only five days to go before Thailand will be celebrating the most sacred day for Buddhists all around the world.  Thailand has again been entrusted by the Buddhist countries of the world with organising and acting as the main sponsor of the International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak, 2006.

 

This is the second year Thailand has had the honour of hosting the event, after last year?s highly successful Conference.  Last year too the people of Thailand rejoiced when the United Nations General Assembly resolved to recognise Buddhamonthon as the ?World Buddhist Centre?.

 

At this year?s international Buddhist gathering, it is expected that Thailand will welcome more than 1,500 of the world?s Buddhist leaders in national delegations and as observers.

 

No less importantly, this year Thailand is also celebrating the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty the King.  This year is particularly special as His Majesty is a practitioner of Buddhism.

 

The organising committee of the celebration of the Sixtieth Anniversary resolved that the two events should be a joint celebration. The organising committee agreed that the celebration of the United Nations Day of Vesak should take place at the three main sites of Buddhamonthon, the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, and at Sanam Luang.

 

Buddhamonthon is one of the places where the International Buddhist Conference is scheduled to take place on 7 May, and events, including an exhibition and cultural displays from various countries will be held at the Buddhist Museum and the Buddhamonthon Auditorium.

 

The exhibition from Thailand will be dedicated to honouring His Majesty the King and telling Buddhists from all around the world about the power of compassion of His Majesty.  Its title will be ?Visakha Full Moon Day:  Sixty Years of the Reign of a Righteous King?. On May 10 there will be chanting to bless His Majesty, with a candle-lit procession.

 

At Sanam Luang, Bangkok there will be an exhibition on Buddhism and one week of religious ceremonies 6-12 May. There will also be drama and dancing dedicated  to honouring His Majesty.

 

After that, on May 12, there will be a ceremony of personal confirmation to follow the teachings of the Buddha dedicated to His Majesty the King, before circumnambulation of relics of the Buddha brought from Sri Lanka.

 

At the United Nations Conference Centre the overall theme of the discussions will be ?Perspectives on Buddhist Strategy for World Peace and Sustainable Development?, with workshop, speeches, messages, religious ceremonies and blessings.

 

The foremost issue during the forthcoming International Buddhist Conference will be a presentation of His Majesty?s theory of the self-sufficient  economy, to demonstrate the importance of this theory and how it has influenced the Thai people?s way of life. The self-sufficient economy theory is based on the teachings of the Buddha and is of importance for both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

 

Prof. Dr. Phram Dhammakosajarn, Rector of Mahachulalongkorn University, has announced that Buddhist leaders and observers from more than forty countries are attending the International Buddhist Conference.  Around 1,500 participants are expected, and of those 62 are Sangharaja and Buddhist leaders.

 

The Rector of Mahachulalongkorn also said that the reason why so many Buddhist leaders and delegations are participating in these events is that they wish to join in celebrating the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty the King.  On May10, Buddhist leaders will join together in chanting to bless His Majesty at Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

 

The religious leaders are delighted that that these two celebrations are taking place simultaneously in our country and see it as highly auspicious for Thai Buddhists.

 

Prof. Dr. Phra Dhammakosajarn has said we are sure that Thai Buddhists will wish to show the world that we have the ability to organise this event well, and to show our hospitality and unity as Thailand is recognised as the ?Center of World Buddhism.