Vietnam

The 5^th International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak (2008) The 5^th UN Day of Vesak is first held in Vietnam at National Centre USA – Ha Noi, from 14^th to 17^th May 2008 with the participation of 4,000 official national and international delegates from 74 countries and territories, including the Buddhist leaders, scholars, Buddhist researchers and representatives of the United Nations, UNESCO and international organizations.

Theme on the UN Day of Vesak 2008 is Buddhist Contribution to building a Justice, Democratic and Civilised Society.

The sub-themes include:

·        Role of Buddhism in prevention of conflict and war.

·        Buddhist Contribution on Social Justice

·        Engaged Buddhism and Development

·        Care for Our Environment: Buddhist Response to Climate Change

·        Family Problems and the Buddhist Response

·        Symposium on Buddhist Education Continuity and Progress

·        Symposium on Buddhism in the Digital Age

The Celebration was also a honor to greet party leaders, State, Government, National Assembly and national and local boards jointly Witness Council of National Buddhist Sangha, Executive Council of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, monks, nuns, typical Buddhists of the NVBS in nation and abroad.

Professor Le Manh That, Vice Rector of the Vietnam Buddhist Institute in Ho Chi Minh city is president of the International Organizing Committee and Most Venerable Thich Nhat Tu is Secretary General of the International Organizing Committee.

Vesak Declaration 2008

Ha Noi Declaration The Fifth International Buddhist Conference on The United Nations Day of Vesak

May 13- 17, 2008 (B.E.2552)

At Hanoi, Vietnam

Buddhists participating in the Fifth International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak pledged to urge international communities to strengthen their efforts towards world peace.

In the Hanoi declaration issued on May 16, the conference participants also resolve on improving the quality of life for all the people.

The declaration runs as follows:

“We, the participants from seventy four countries and territorial regions of the International Buddhist Conference on theUnited Nations Day of Vesak at the National Convention Center, Hanoi, Vietnam, from May 13-17, 2008 (B.E. 2552), gratefully acknowledging that the Conference on Buddhist Contribution to Building a Just, Democratic and Civilised Society has been generously supported by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, have unanimously resolved the following:

1) To urge international communities to strengthen their efforts towards sustainable world peace in promoting dialogue, mutual trust, respect, and human dignity among different religions and nations, through the light of Buddhist wisdom and compassion.

2) To promote prevention of conflict and war, especially by means of disarmament including prohibition of tests of nuclear weapons, production of chemical and bacteriological (biological) weapons and the prevention of the pollution of oceans and inland waters.

3) To enhance economic, social, environmental and spiritual development throughout the world, in order to achieve a higher quality of life for all the people.

4) To advocate for social justice, democracy and good governance in all sectors of society, in order to bring peace and security within and among nations.

5) To acknowledge that social and economic development cannot be secured in a sustainable way in the absence of peace and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

6) To contribute towards legal and administrative measures for the protection and improvement of the environment, at both national and international levels, in order to commit to a healthy and productive life in harmony with the environment.

7) To affirm that climate change and other forms of environmental damages are already harming human well-being and that urgent action is required to minimise these changes.

8) To stress on pursuing active measures to halt the misuse of our natural resources, a modern-life trend which has resulted in ecological imbalances, which increase the threat of climate change and endanger all life on the planet.

9) To recognise and respond to the moral and spiritual needs of individuals, families and the communities at large.

10) To recognise the need for solutions to global social problems, especially poverty, unemployment and social injustice.

11) To acknowledge the continuing need for modernisation of education for monastics and laypeople, to enable them to meet challenges of local and global issues and crisis.

12) To provide basic education and improve the quality of education, especially for girls, women and deprived groups, in order to remove every obstacle that hampers their active participation in social life.

13) To strengthen family bonds by emphasising the Buddhist principles of harmony, understanding and compassion for stable marriages and individual happiness.

14) To stress on the growing importance of information technology and provide guidance for the wise use of technology to serve social interests.

15) To develop materials for the internet that can be easily accessed by users to bridge the gap between those in developed regions and those in under-developed societies with limited resources.

16) To support major international Buddhist events including the Second World Buddhist Forum in China in November 2008, the Fifth World Buddhist Summit in Japan in 2008, the First Conference of International Association of Buddhist Universities, Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2008, as well as the activities of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) and Inner Trip Reiyukai International (ITRI).”

The 11nd International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak (2014)

The eleventh UN Day of Vesak is held at Bai Dinh temple, Ninh Binh province, from 8^th to 11^th May 2014. The expectation of celebration is 1000 international delegates and about 10,000 national delegates, including Patriarchs, President of Buddhist Congregations.

Main theme of this celebration is “Buddhist Contribution towards Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals”.

The sub-themes include:

·        Buddhist Response to Sustainable Development and Social Change.

·        Buddhist Response to Global Warming and Environmental Protection.

·        Buddhist Contributions to Healthy Living.

·        Peace-building and Post-Conflict Recovery.

·        Buddhist Education and University Level Curriculum.

Chairman of the International Organizing Committee for United Nations Day of Vesak 2014 is Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu and Secretary General is Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien.

Vesak Declaration 2014

Vietnam Declaration The Eleventh International Buddhist Conference on The United Nations Day of Vesak

May 07- 11, 2014 

At Ninh Binh, Vietnam

WHEREAS, we, the participants, from 95 countries and regions, have come together for the International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak at Bai Dinh Convention Center held from May 07-11, 2014 (B.E. 2558).

WHEREAS, we are most grateful and appreciative for the hospitality of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the support of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in hosting this most auspicious gathering. After four days of meetings, academic presentations, learned discussions, cultural events and Buddhist fellowship, the assembled delegates make and adopt this Declaration;

WHEREAS, we, came together in this Assembly pursuant to that resolution approved on 15^th December 1999 at the General Assembly of the United Nations, Session No. 54, Agenda Item 174, Resolution 54/115. Therein it was declared that Vesak, which falls on the Full Moon day in the month of May, will be internationally recognized and observed at the United Nations Headquarters and its Regional Offices from the Year 2000 onwards. The United Nations Day of Vesak is jointly celebrated by all Buddhist traditions as a thrice sacred day. It serves to foster mutual understanding and cooperation amongst all Buddhist traditions, organizations and individuals through ongoing dialogue between Buddhist leaders and scholars addressing those issues of universal concern. As a result of our deliberations we adopt and publish the following message of peace based on the Buddha’s teaching of wisdom and compassion; and,

WHEREAS, coming together to discuss the issues related to the “Buddhist Perspectives towards Achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals”, we have shared our viewpoints, experiences and research on the latest trends and developments in the various fields and considered deliberately their practical implications.

NOW, THEREFORE, at the conclusion of our successful celebrations and meetings we have unanimously resolved the following:

Article 1: General Agreements

1.1 To resolve that in keeping with the World view common to all Buddhists, it is an obligation held individually and collectively to work tirelessly for the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) and dedicate ourselves to social engagement for their attainment as a component of our practice and convictions.

1.2 To motivate by sending the strongest message to the international community to strengthen all efforts to implement the UN Millennium Development Goals through a collective commitment by all stakeholders,

1.3 To utilize the Buddha´s teaching as a spiritual resource for the overall well-being, development and progress of all sentient Beings, and for the full implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Article 2: Buddhist Responses to Sustainable Development and Social Change

2.1. To recognize the interdependence of sustainable development - social, economic, and environmental, emphasizing the universal actualization of our full human potential as the ultimate goal of sustainable development.

2.2. To contribute to creating a new foundation of initiatives, reinforcing the framework of international action leading to sustainable development and global social development.

2.3. To urge global leaders to base sustainable development on the three pillars of environmental protection, economic development, and social justice, emphasizing the principles of equality, social justice, human rights protection and the promotion of education.

Article 3: Peace-building and Post-conflict Recovery

3.1. To promote peaceful settlement of conflicts, respect for life, ending of violence and practice of loving-kindness, non-violence through dialogue and cooperation.

3.2. To urge political leaders to settle the disputes related to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction rights of exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf through negotiations and other peaceful measures in conformity with UN Law and international laws for the sake of maintaining world peace and stability.

3.3. To encourage Buddhist to be more proactive in promoting peace, which is central to the teachings of the Buddha; and, in particular, spreading the Buddha’s wisdom on the inter-connectedness of all humans as a global family and the share consequences of their actions.

3.4. To value peace both intrinsically and extrinsically, by engaging Buddhist believers around the world to address the contemporary issues of war, violence, intolerance and terrorism which threaten the peace and stability of all society.

3.5. To motivate and hold Nations morally responsible for achieving peaceful ideals: understanding universal values, virtues and responsibilities, and particularly the Buddhist culture of non-violence, compassion and tolerance.

3.6. To call for a universal peace education project, which would become the new paradigm for peace governance.

3.7. To reaffirm the common desire and fundamental human right of all people to live in peace with one another and reaffirming that the principal aim of the United Nations is the maintenance of international peace and security.

Article 4: Buddhist Responses to Global Warming and Environmental Protection

4.1. To acknowledge that the effects of technologically-based solutions are unpredictable and reaffirm that the establishment of a new environmental ethic is necessary incorporating Buddhist virtue ethics and responsibility.

4.2. To urge all governmental and non-governmental organizations together with Buddhist community to strive toward sustainable economic and social development, stressing the need to balance such development with the preservation of the environment.

4.3. To foster Buddhist environmentalism as instrumental to further prevention and reversal of global warming and the furtherance of environmental protection.

Article 5: Buddhist Contributions to Healthy Living

5.1. To recognize that the healthy living of the individual is characterized by physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth, and the fostering of such growth is the ultimate goal of sustainable human happiness.

5.2. To engage collaboratively with governmental and non-governmental health organizations in holistic health programs, combining the Buddhist principles of mind-body harmony with modern medical science, for the eradication of disease, child mortality and to improve pre-natal care in the developing World.

5.3. To evaluate the effects of healthy living and facilities the Buddhist healthy living program by applying Buddhist meditation techniques.

5.4. To recognize that core to healthy living is meeting the fundamental needs of the individual, including clean water, nutrition, housing, ensuring the physical and spiritual well-being and upholding the dignity of the person.

Article 6: Buddhist Educations and University Level Curriculum

6.1. To work tirelessly for universal education in the 21st century, emphasizing the integration of wisdom and compassion in caring for the environment, cultivating synergy between school subjects and disciplines, and incorporating ethics and a sense of community to the existing approach for acquiring skills for economic and social development within the curricula and syllabi at all levels of education, in order to realize the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal of “achieving universal primary education” and beyond.

6.2. To encourage the incorporation of Buddhist history and philosophy in the curriculum of primary and secondary education which focuses on world and social studies.

6.3. To develop a Buddhist proposal for transformational universal education, which though secular based seeks to initiate an educational program that not only prepares children academically, but also emotionally and spiritually and uses innovative techniques to consolidate the contemporary reforms of national systems of education.

6.4. To acknowledge the fundamental importance of Buddha’s teachings relating to the inclusion of instruction in morals, virtues and ethics in contributing to the promotion, protection and effective realization of all human rights.

6.5. To encourage Buddhists from all countries and traditions to study both secular and Buddhist approaches to mindfulness and to take a more active role in the ongoing integration of mindfulness into education at all levels.

6.6. To support continued scholarship in understanding the evolution and spread of Buddhist philosophy and culture in order to foster greater cooperation and participation between all Buddhists, regardless of traditions.

Article 7: Policy Implications as Conclusion

7.1 We request that these well considered findings be incorporated into the new program of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

7.2 We proclaim that it is time for the World community to begin an honest reflection about the Buddhist solution and its utilization in today´s rapidly changing world.

7.3 We proclaim that Buddhist ethics have cultural value to contribute to the development of a more compassionate society and are capable of building sustainable, equitable and caring political systems, economies, and societies.

7.4. We proclaim that Buddhism can respond decisively to the challenges of the UN Millennium Goals.

7.5 We request that World leaders collaborate with Buddhist clergy and laity to develop systems that universally encourage the obtainment of full socio-emotional and compassionate potentials and thereby create a World in which we all want to live.

7.6 We request that state governments, civil societies, businesses, families and individual, regardless of faith or tradition, adopt and ethical virtues.

7.7 We proclaim that instrumental to the practice of Buddhism at all levels, individually and collectively, is Social Engagement wherein the insights from meditation practice and teachings are brought to bear in physical and meaningful ways to address situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice.

7.8 We encourage the expansion of Buddhist NGOs which actively and substantively engage in disaster relief, social welfare and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

The 16^th International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak (2019)

o    Date: 12^th – 14^th May 2019

o    Venue: Tam Chuc International Buddhist Convention Center, Ha Nam Province, Vietnam

• Main Theme:

Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies  

• Sub Theme:
• Mindful Leadership for Sustainable Peace
• Buddhist Approach to Harmonious Families Healthcare and Sustainable Societies
• Buddhist Approach to Global Educations in Ethics
• The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Buddhism
• Buddhist Approach to Responsible Consumption and Sustainable Development

Vesak Declaration 2019

Vietnam Declaration The Sixteenth International Buddhist Conference on The United Nations Day of Vesak

May 12 - 14, 2019

Tam Chuc International Buddhist Convention Center, Ha Nam Province, Vietnam

Whereas, we, the participants, from 112 countries and territories, have come together for the International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak at Tam Chuc Convention Centre held during May 12-14, 2019;

Whereas, we, came together in this Assembly pursuant to that resolution approved on December 15, 1999 at the General Assembly of the United Nations, Session No. 54, Agenda Item 174, Resolution 54/115. Therein, it was declared that Vesak, which falls on the Full Moon Day in the month of May, will be internationally recognised and observed at the United Nations Headquarters and its Regional Offices from the Year 2000 onwards. The United Nations Day of Vesak is jointly celebrated by all Buddhist traditions as a Thrice Sacred Day. It serves to foster mutual understanding and cooperation amongst all Buddhist traditions, organisations and individuals through ongoing dialogue between Buddhist leaders and scholars addressing those issues of universal concern. As a result of our deliberations we adopt and publish the following message of peace based on the Buddha's teaching of wisdom and compassion:

Whereas, coming together to discuss the issues related to the “Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies”, we have shared our viewpoints, experiences and research on the latest trends and developments in the various fields and considered deliberately their practical implications; and,

Whereas, we are most grateful and full of deep appreciation for the most wonderful hospitality of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the support of the Government of Socialist Republic of Vietnam in hosting this most auspicious gathering, on the occasion of the completion of our three-day deliberations featuring meetings, academic presentations, learned discussions, cultural events and Buddhist fellowship.

Now, therefore, at the conclusion of our successful celebrations and meetings we, the assembled delegates, unanimously resolve and adopt this Declaration.

Article 1: General Agreements

In order to better understand and fully implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we resolve to:

1.1 Adopt an increasingly active role, both locally and globally, advocating for, working for, and supporting sustainable societies in the current context of profound social, political, economic and cultural crises.

1.2 Invigorate the concept of “Engaged Buddhism” by actively and positively seeking the participation of international institutions.

1.3 Validate the Buddhist approach as a complementary paradigm for achieving peaceful ideals and understanding universal values.

1.4 Advocate Buddhist philosophy for exploring the changing character and context and as spiritual guidance for global governance.

1.5 Recognise the Buddhist-based framework of international actions as a set of feasible, agreeable, arrangements for the overall well-being, development and progress of all sentient beings.

1.6 Avow the greatness of Buddhism in contemporary times.

Article 2: Buddhist Response to Shared Responsibilities

In order to promote the notion of shared responsibilities, we resolve to:

2.1 Build a proactive and well-weaved foundation for interactions by identifying the significant roles of Buddhist Communities around the World.

2.2 Support each one’s expertise on the basis of Buddhist principles for the benefit of each other.

2.3 Extend the idea of compassion, considerate action and support to help the people beyond Buddhist communities without any discrimination on the basis race, creed, religion and gender.

2.4 Emphasise the important individual responsibility in the shared collective.

2.5 Collaborate with international agencies at different levels of responsibility for the attainment of Buddhism’s ultimate goal to end sufferings.

2.6 Propagate the Buddhist’s five ethical precepts and promote the active participation of local communities to transform them into sustainable goals as a basis of shared responsibilities toward better living conditions worldwide.

Article 3: Buddhist Approach to Sustainable Societies

In order to create sustainable societies, we resolve to:

3.1 Utilise the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as the foundational approach to sustainable societies.

3.2 Create interdependence among several communities by recognising the teachings of Buddha for promoting maximum human potential in a sustainable manner.

3.3 Revitalise the integration of three Buddhist pillars of development, namely, environmental protection, economic prosperity, and social justice.

Article 4: Mindful Leadership for Sustainable Peace

In order to make peace in the light of mindful leadership, we resolve to:

4.1 Emphasise dialogue and non-violent approaches for peace-building contrary to the old paradigm that the physically stronger always wins over the weaker

4.2 Encourage the notions of wisdom and compassion as the basis for any conflict avoidance and resolution.

4.3 Acknowledge the fundamental importance of mindful leadership relating to instruction in individual and societal ethics in contributing to peace making. (Specifically, seeking the settlement of conflicts, respect for life, ending of violence and practice of loving kindness, non-violence through dialogue and cooperation.)

Article 5: Buddhist Approach to Harmonious Families, Healthcare and Sustainable Societies

In order to create sustainable societies, we resolve to:

5.1 Acknowledge the contemporary transformations in family structures and social systems and promote Buddhist principles of harmonious communication to achieve harmonious families, better healthcare service and sustainable societies.

5.2 Evaluate the effects of healthy living and facilitate the Buddhist healthy living programme by applying Buddhist meditation techniques.

5.3 Teach the Buddhist’s five ethical precepts as part of the school curriculum, from K to 12 grade, to advocate for the concept of healthy living and harmonious families.

5.4 Promote the spirit of the five ethical precepts in the justice system as the basis for rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals.

Article 6: Buddhist Approach to Global Education in Ethics

In order to improve the global system of education, we resolve to:

6.1 Reaffirm that the ultimate goal of Buddhist education in ethics is to liberate a person from its own ego and suffering.

6.2 Propagate the Buddhist concept of impermanence and non-self in global education for betterment of the World to fight against greed, anger, and ignorance.

6.3 Combine the tenets of Buddhism with Psychology and Philosophy in education as a way to examine the issues of Ethics and Ethics itself.

6.4 Incorporate Buddhist ethical principles into national systems of education at all levels.

6.5 Encourage the integration of wisdom and compassion in caring for the environment, cultivating synergetic effects among individuals, schools and communities.

Article 7: Buddhism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

With the help of digital platforms, we resolve to:

7.1 Urge Dharma teachers to take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution to modernize Buddhist science of mind studies for human healing and transformation by using robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors, and vision.

7.2 Integrate Buddhist practices with technology like mindfulness-based computer and phone applications for meditation.

7.3 Advocate for continued research in the field of artificial intelligence as a tool to allow humans more free time to perform higher-level and meaningful tasks but not to replace human interaction, innovation and critical decision-making.

7.4 Apply Buddhist philosophy in furthering the understanding of a world run by algorithms.

Article 8: Buddhist Approach to Responsible Consumption and Sustainable Development

With renewed awareness of the fundamental importance of Buddhist approach in enabling growth, we resolve to:

8.1 Propagate the life story of the Buddha as one who spent most of his life in harmony with nature, with more of a need-based than greed-based engagement for the betterment of the environment.

8.2 Utilise Buddhist attitude, emphasising dependent origination for co-existence to ensure ecological stability and the harmony between human beings and the natural world.

8.3. Promote energy transition, replacing large emissions of energy that pollute or deplete natural resources with clean and safe energies.

8.4 Collaborate with business leaders in developing alternative and sustainable food sources without relying on animal protein.

Article 9: Policy Implications and Conclusion

In conclusion and cognisant of the need for fundamental shifts in policy among numerous and diverse stakeholders, we resolve to:

9.1 Request that these well considered findings be incorporated into the new programme of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

9.2 Herald that it is time for the World community to begin an honest reflection about the Buddhist solution and its utilisation in today´s rapidly changing world.

9.3 Proclaim that Buddhist ethics have cultural value to contribute to the development of a more compassionate society and are capable of building sustainable, equitable and caring political systems, economies, and societies.

9.4 Advocate that the Buddhist community can become valuable partnership for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

9.5 Request that World leaders collaborate with Buddhists to develop systems that universally encourage the attainment of full socio-economy and compassionate potentials and thereby create a World in which we all want to live.

9.6 Insist that state governments, civil societies, businesses, families and individuals, regardless of faith or tradition, adopt moral and ethical virtues.

9.7 Declare that instrumental to the practice of Buddhism at all levels, individually and collectively, is Social Engagement wherein the insights from meditation practice and teachings are brought to bear in physical and meaningful ways to address situations of social, political, and economic injustice.

9.8 Encourage the expansion of Buddhist NGOs which actively and substantively engage in disaster relief, social welfare and the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Sri Lanka 2017

Vesak Declaration 2017

Kandy (Mahanuwara) Declaration made at the conclusion of the 14^th United Nations Vesak Day Celebration and Conference held in Sri Lanka

May 12 - 14, 2019 

Whereas United Nations 14th Vesak Day Celebrations and Conference were ceremonially commenced at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) Colombo on 12th May 2017 with the blessings of most Venerable Mahanayaka Theros in Sri Lanka and most Venerable Sangaraja Theros from overseas, members of Maha Sangha and other religious dignitaries from many parts of the world representing 72 countries, and Hon. Narendra Shri Modi, Prime Minister of Republic of India gracing the event as the Chief Guest while His Excellency Maithreepala Sirisena, the President of Sri Lanka and Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka participating the occasion; and

 symposium held on the theme of “Buddhist Teachings for Social Justice and Sustainable World Peace, which is in consonance with the United Nations expected goal of achieving “Sustainable World Development in 2030”; While they engaged in dialogue and deliberations on the above subject they also exhaustively dealt with few other sub topics with a view to exploring avenues to achieve the Goal of Sustainable World Peace through the teachings of the Buddha; and

Whereas in the course of the proceedings it was highlighted that Sri Lanka being the only country blessed with the visit of Buddha and the country which chronicled the Thripitaka Canon and preserved the teachings of Buddha has a bounden and sacred duty to disseminate the Dhamma with the supreme objective of extending loving kindness and compassion towards the betterment and well-being of all beings around the world; and

Whereas Sri Lanka has followed the guidance of Dhamma as preached by the Buddha for the formation and maintenance of a Righteous State while upholding values and norms of Buddhism over a two millennia and set examples to the world displaying the features of good governance and the rule of Dhamma; and

Whereas it is abundantly clear that the most appropriate definition of modern democracy could be traced back to 306 BC in Sri Lankan history which was the first admonition given to Great King Devanampiyatissa by Arahant Mahinda Thero at Mihintale forest when he visited there during the period of Anuradhapura Era, which reads thus;

“O great King the birds of the air and the beasts have as equal right to live and move about in any part of the land as thou. The land belongs to the people and all living beings and thou art act only the guardian of it”

And

Whereas with this background Sri Lanka is the custodian of the Thripitaka Canon and many other significant and sacred places of the Buddha including the Scared Tooth Relic Temple in Kandy, (Mahanuwara) Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura, Sripada Temple at Samanala Kanda and many others;

The United Nation Vesak Day Council unanimously agreed to adopt this declaration on this historic occasion of conducting the closing ceremony with blessings of Scared Tooth Relic of Toot Relic Temple in Kandy (Mahanuwara), Most Venerable Mahanayakes and Sangarajahs venerable Members Maha Sangha and Her Excellency Bidhya Devi Bhandari, the President of Nepal who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and with the participation of His Excellency Maithreepala Sirisena, the President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister of Buddhasasana and Justice of Sri Lanka and many other dignitaries at Mahamaluwa of the sacred Tooth Relic Temple in Kandy (Mahanuwara) as follows;

1)    In realizing the long felt need to have an aligned organization among Buddhist Communities underpinned by solidarity, solemn initiatives shall be taken to form such an organization with minimum delay in furtherance of our objectives and aspirations based on values and principles of the teachings of the Buddha.

2)    In consideration of the challenges faced by Buddhist communities all over the world plausible methodology shall be evolved to address and encounter them as one community.

3)    In considering the fact that tendency of materialism is superseding spiritualism, measures shall be taken to forestall the danger of not only of the debilitation of humanity but also calamities which may break out in consequence of such an inimical transition.

4)    In deciphering the hand writing on the wall which sounds an alarming danger to the existence of mankind as a consequence of the production and distribution of weaponry of mass destruction, measures shall be taken to ward off such production and distribution as a matter of great urgency and also to work in closer collaboration with international agencies and countries dedicated to ensure the restoration and retention of peaceful and harmonious environment in the world.

5)    In considering the unprecedented destruction of the environment that is being caused continuously, measures shall be taken to create awareness among the world community and to work in unison with organizations and countries which are dedicated to protect the environment.

6)    In view of the speedy addiction of the younger generations to drugs and narcotics measures shall be taken to create an awareness among them to the grave danger of it and to take every possible step to salvage them from their predicament.

7)    In considering the incorrigible disaster which is being constantly caused due to religious disharmony, our council shall play a prominent role in ensuring long lasting inter-religious harmony in the world.

8)    In view of the alarming decline of morals and spirituality, steps shall be taken to set-up a media network to disseminate the message of Dhamma leading towards a virtuous life based on Buddhist principles.

9)    In considering the overall deterioration of the human kind and the potential danger of the erosion of human values and qualities, the measures shall be taken to disseminate the teaching of the Enlightened One to help create a world free of conflict and strife by following the path enunciated by the Buddha.

Sri Lanka being the country which preserved and protected the Dhamma over a period of two millennia, its Government expressed its commitment and dedication to extend its fullest support and cooperation to United Nations as well as our Council to disseminate the Noble Dhamma for the achievement of the above mentioned sublime objectives and aspirations and to ensure a world of peace and serene for posterity.