Bangkok Declaration of the Ninth International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak
Posted on June 3rd, 2012

The Buddhajayanti 2600 Celebrations of the BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Enlightenment At Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Main Campus, Wang Noi, Ayutthaya

May 31- June 2, 2012 (B.E.2555)

The United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok and Buddhamonthon, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand-On 15th December 1999, representatives from 34 countries proposed to the General Assembly of the United Nations that the full moon day in the month of May be recognized and observed at the United Nations Headquarters and its Regional Offices as the United Nations Day of Vesak.

The General Assembly so resolved (Agenda Item 174 of Session No. 54) and accordingly the UN Day of Vesak was instituted in the year 2000 withthe support of all Buddhist traditions. In pursuance of that Resolution, we,participants from 85 countries and regions, have come together from May 31- June 2, 2012 (B.E. 2555) for the celebrations of Buddhajayanti the 2600 Years of the BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Enlightenment; the 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen; the 60th Birthday of His Royal Highness Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand; and, the 2nd Conference of the International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU). This gathering was generously hosted by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University of Thailand and graciously supported by the Royal Government of Thailand under the guidance of the Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In meetings at the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Main Campus, Wang Noi, Ayutthaya; at the UNESCAP in Bangkok; and, at Buddhamonthon in Nakhon Pathom Province, we have explored the topic of “The BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Enlightenment for the Well-being of Humanity”, consolidating mutual understanding and cooperation between organizations and individuals from all Buddhist traditions. At the conclusion of our successful celebrations and meetings we have unanimously resolved as follows:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 1. Recognizing the profound life-transforming impact on humanity that the BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Enlightenment and his pragmatic teachings have had throughout the World in the last 2600 years, we shall tirelessly strive with our practice of the Noble Eightfold Path to share the BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s peaceful teaching with the world.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 2. Being aware of the multifaceted nature of conflicts in the world: the role of society; the interplay of social responsibility; and economic development, we urge the governments in the world to be pragmatic and promote forgiveness to help bring an end to the social and political conflicts in the world. Especially, the Buddhists of the world seek to promote peace and reconciliation throughout the world by the skillful application of Buddhist teachings of forgiveness, non-violence, compassion and tolerance; and, to work tirelessly against the human nature of unlimited desire, hatred and ignorance in order to establish a society which embraces the values of mankind.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 3. In appreciation of the unprecedented increase in environmental disasters facing the world, we promote the greater awareness of interdependency between human beings and our natural environment.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 4. To promote mental, ethical and cognitive transformation in society, we encourage the promotion of the meditation practices that have been richly preserved in all Buddhist traditions.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 5. Commemorating the Buddhajayanti 2600 years of the BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Enlightenment, and mindful of the unanimous support expressed for the establishment of The Centre of World Buddhism, we recognize and rejoice in the successful roundtable conference organized on 1 June 2012 at the main campus of the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University at Wang Noi, Ayutthaya, jointly by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and the National Office of Buddhism. We seek the implementation of the decision to establish The Centre of World Buddhism for the purposes, among others, of more effective networking for the Buddhist world, at Buddhamonthon; towards that ends, we also joyfully record the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Centre.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 6. Mindful of the close connection that it has with the ICDV, we rejoice in the successful completion of the 2nd Conference of the International Association of Buddhist Universities which explored the topic of Buddhist Philosophy and Praxis, through a process of academic deliberation, discussions, and collaboration.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 7. We continue to maintain and strengthen the progress made towards two of the ICDV flagship projects: the compilation of the Common Buddhist Text and Union Catalog of Buddhist Texts.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 8. We applaud the cooperation among the UNESCO, the Government of Nepal, the business sector and various Buddhist non-governmental organizations (NGOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s) in the establishment of measures taken for the monitoring and mitigation of air pollution at Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha and a designated World Heritage site.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Done as the Declaration of the Ninth International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak, this 2nd Day of June 2012 (B.E. 2555).

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