Around 1,200 Buddhist leaders, monks, and scholars from 45 countries are joining 3,000 Thai counterparts in an International Buddhist Conference at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok from May 7 to 10. The conference is among the activities being held in Thailand as part of the Visakha Puja Festival, which is recognized as an international event.

The Cabinet, during its meeting on May 2, acknowledged a report by the Prime Minister?s Office on the organizing of various activities to commemorate the United Nations Day of Vesak, or Visakha Puja. According to the report, since the year 2006 marks an auspicious occasion when Thailand celebrates His Majesty the King?s 60th year on the throne, the Sangha Supreme Council, or Mahathera Samakhom, has proposed Visakha Puja activities to the National Commission on the Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty?s Accession to the Throne. The Cabinet on March 14 approved a budget of 69 million baht for the activities and considers them as part of the celebrations.

Besides the United Nations Conference Center, other venues for the activities are Sanam Luang ceremonial site, Buddhamonthon, and Utthayan Road. The activities include exhibitions, candle processions (wian thian), merit making, and international cultural shows. The Buddha?s relics from Sri Lanka are enshrined temporarily at the Buddhamonthon religious center for people to pay homage to during this period. Buddhists from various countries will join a cultural exchange program at Buddhamonthon as well.

Thailand has chosen Buddhamonthon as a focal point for the Visakha Puja celebrations, because this religious site is recognized as a Center of World Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhist leaders at the 2005 International Buddhist Conference made the proposal for the Center of World Buddhism to be located at Buddhamonthon. The reason is that Buddhamonthon is equipped with sufficient facilities for such a center. The Buddhist leaders want to see a World Buddhist University be located at Buddhamonthon as well, so that various cultural activities and training could be arranged there.

Buddhamonthon was built in celebration of the 2,500 years of Buddhism, which fell on Visakha Puja Day, May 13, B.E. 2500, or 1957. To commemorate this occasion, the Thai government and people agreed that a great Buddhist monument should be constructed. The government allocated an area of 2,500 rai, or 1,000 acres, in Salaya Subdistrict, Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province, as the construction site. His Majesty the King presided over the cornerstone laying ceremony in 1955.

Thailand intends to promote unity and solidarity among Buddhists through various activities and the message of peace based on the Buddha?s teachings.

Source :  http://thailand.prd.go.th/the_focus_view.php?id=1431