Messages from Thailand
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Ven. Dr. Wei Wu, Thailand
I wish to convey my warmest congratulations and appreciation to the organizer of the 11th International Celebration on the occasion of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2014/2557. This grand celebration hosted by the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (NVBS) will be held for the second time in beautiful Vietnam.
‘“Buddhist Contribution to Achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals” is the 2014 theme which is an important topic to be discussed by Buddhist leaders, scholars and other delegates from all over the world.
I am sure that under the leadership of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (NVBS) with the enthusiastic support from the Vietnamese Buddhists, participants from different countries will have a fruitful meeting and renew spiritual fellowship in Ninh Binh.
May all of us play our role to preserve the teachings of the Buddha!
Venerable Dr. Wei Wu
Chairman, International Buddhist College
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Prof. Dr. Rajata Rajatanavin, Thailand
The theme of the 11th annual International Day of Vesak Celebration “Buddhist Contribution to Achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals” highlights the need for an examination of ourselves and our national and global cultures. Material wellbeing is essential to a quality life. However, as Buddhists we must not fall into the addictive trap of consumerism.
Human nature desires not only material comfort, but also luxury goods and constant consumption. However, if left unchecked, this behavior can clash with the goals of Buddhism and UN development. On the other hand, and with the practice of Buddhism, a person can simultaneously work toward accomplishing both Buddhist and the UN development goals.
The UN Millennium Development Goals are reflected in the sub-themes of this year’s Day of Vesak Celebration: “Sustainable Development. Social Change, Environmental Protection, Healthy Living and Peace Building”. Realizing the goals of Theravada Buddhism requires individual effort, as does achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. Buddhism and its bhikkhus, bhukkhunis, upasakas and upasikas groups bring Buddhists together in likemmded groups in order to achieve their goals. These institutions are essential in realizing the UN Millennium Development Goals. In every instance, from Sustainable Development to Peace Building, both individual and collective action is necessary.
In general, Mahidol University’s student body practices Theravada Buddhism. Thus Mahidol University has a keen interest in fostering a spirit of Buddhist local and global concern in order to successfully achieve the UN development goals. In fact, the fulfilment of the UN Millennium Development Goals mirrors Mahidol University’s guiding philosophy as slated by His Royal Father Prince Mahidol of Songkla - “True success is not in the learning, but in its application to the benefit of mankind”.
Professor Dr. Rajata Rajatanavin M.D.
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From: Prof.Dr.Charles Willemen(魏查理)
Greetings,
I am very pleased that the UN Day of Vesak 2014 will be held in Vietnam.Vietnam is an excellent place to have this meritorious event.
I am very glad for more than one reason,not least of all because our International Buddhist College in Thailand has a very fruitful cooperation with the Vietnamese sangha.
Our thoughts go to a successful organisation.
Prof.Dr.Charles Willemen (魏查理)
Rector International Buddhist College
Pak Thong Chai,Thailand
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Sermsap Vorapanya, Ph.D, Thailand
Namaskar,
It is a great pleasure to have been asked to convey a congratulatory message on the occasion of cerebration the United Nation Day of Vesak (UNDV) 2014 in Vietnam this year. Besides a pleasure to write this congratulatory message, I am definitely delighted to be a panelist speaking about my research related to Special Education in Thailand under the framework of Buddhist ideology.
It is also a pride of Buddhists all over the world that the Day of Vesak has been announced by the United Nation to be an important day for a global recognition as it is the day of birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Buddha Gautama.
I am grateful that the Day of Vesak has been internationally cerebrated for over 10 years. Please accept my congratulations for the up coming important event this year “the UN Vesak Cerebrations 2014 in Vietnam”.
Kind Regards,
March 30, 2014
Sermsap Vorapanya, Ph.D.
The school Director
Naraiwittaya School
244 Lumnarai Chaibadan
Lopburi Thailand 15130
From Mr. Thongtha Christensen, Thailand
Your Holiness, All Venerable Sangha, Distinguished Delegates, and Dhamma Friends!
It is a great honor for the Thai-Denmark Association, as a newly joined organization, to put forward the congratulatory message for this eventful occasion in celebrating the 1 l United Nations Day of Vesak 2014 in Vietnam, hosted and organized by the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (NBVS).
As the world is increasingly interdependent and we are more connected to one another than at any point in history, the path of the modern civilization is still characterized by the extreme focus on gathering worldly possessions and money; the overwhelming desire for personal advancement in everyday life; the wish to control and have power over other human beings, the environment and ever influence everyday life. These actions have in general had effect and has lead to several conflicts, crisis and catastrophes that we have collectively witnessed nowadays.
Therefore, the commitment of the Buddhist contribution to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals is essential in all aspects and applicable to all citizens globally. By compiling and engaging the Buddhist principles, hereunder the Threefold Trainings (Sikkha) of ethical conduct (Sila), mental discipline (Samadhi) and wisdom (Panna), into simple practice that is tangible and easily accessed, can stimulate and cultivate the subconscious and awareness of the intellectuals in promoting the holistic world of wisdom and not just words of wisdom.
With this thought in mind, the Thai-Denmark Association is fully confident that all productive inputs will bring the everlasting and universal solutions to benefit all mankind and nature.
