Global Buddhists come to Bodh Gaya for peace conference

The conference started with a special prayer session at the famed Mahabodhi Buddhist temple premises in Bodhgaya, Bihar.

The conference has been held for the last 25 years.

?This annual ceremony has been organising for the last 25 year, more than 25 year and today also as it happened in the morning, we prayed in the Nipunji Japanese temple and conference will take place in the afternoon from today,? said a Buddhist.

Monks from countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and several other countries ,including India were participating in the event.

The purpose of holding such an event was to popularize the ideologies of Buddhism, especially peace and solidarity, among the masses from across the globe.

?The message of this conference purpose is to spread the teaching of the Buddha, peace, harmony, brotherhood, and solidarity among the human races in India and outside of India,? said another Buddhist.

Bodh Gaya is regarded as a holy spot as Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under a tree and it still exists although in a pitiable state, even after thousands of years.

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8th Global Conference on Buddhism passed resolutions against violence in Buddhist countries and bombing in India

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Singapore -- Delegates from Singapore and overseas attended the two-day 8th Global Conference on Buddhism, held in Singapore on 6 and 7 July 2013. Drawing on the presence of 1,200 delegates from the various Buddhist traditions, the Conference culminated in the passing of two resolutions concerning the on-going violence against Muslims in Buddhist countries, and the bombing of the MahaBodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India on 7 July 2013.

The resolutions were a response from the Buddhist community towards these international incidents, and passed with an overwhelming majority of more than 95% voting in favour.

Resolution on the violence against Muslims in Buddhist countries

“We hereby wish to inform our Muslim brothers and sisters that as Buddhists, we are deeply concerned by the violent treatment of Muslims at the hands of people claiming to be Buddhists.

Islam is a religion of peace and Buddhism a religion of non-violence. These are ideals for all mankind, regardless of differences in beliefs and customs. We call upon the leaders of the Buddhist and Muslim communities to condemn all acts of violence and to use their influence to encourage all to be gentle and act with compassion. We also call on governments to take firm measures against murder, assault, arson, rape and other acts of violence and incitement to violence, and take the appropriate action against offenders, whatever their social status.”

Resolution on the bombing in India

“We are deeply saddened but we forgive those responsible for bombing the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya.

You may damage the most important temple in Buddhism but you will not destroy our faith in forgiveness and compassion. “

“Buddhism is a religion of compassion and wisdom,” said Ms Angie Chew Monksfield, organising chairperson of the Global Conference on Buddhism and President of Buddhist Fellowship, said: “While we are saddened by the violence in Myanmar and the bombings in
India, we recognise that the only lasting solution towards such acts of violence is forgiveness. The resolutions are a concrete way of demonstrating our commitment to peace. We hope that these resolutions will contribute towards resolving the conflicts in a
peaceful and effective manner.”

Datuk Dr Victor Wee, President of Buddhist Gem Fellowship Malaysia, said: “I am heartened to see Buddhists from all traditions using this opportunity to engage each other on current issues of critical importance. We have discussed and passed public
resolutions on these two issues, based on the Buddhist principles of kindness and wisdom.”

The Conference included topics and presenters such as “Search Inside Yourself” by Mr Tan Chade-Meng of Google, “Challenges to Buddhism: Taking the Buddha Seriously” by Professor Richard Gombrich of Oxford University, and “Buddhist Bioethics in Medicine and Research” by Dr Ho Eu Chin.

About the Organiser of the Conference - Buddhist Fellowship

Buddhist Fellowship is a non-sectarian English speaking Buddhist group that focuses on the learning of the Buddha’s Teachings and the practice of meditation. It has over 5,000 members and has been a dynamic force in the Buddhist community in advocating modernization and bringing issues into the open for discussion and resolution.

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India bars Tai Situ from attending World Buddhist Conference in Malaysia

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- India has denied H.E. The 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche Pema Tönyö Nyinje a travel visa to attend the World Buddhist Conference (WBC), currently held in Kuala Lumpur. The Tai Situpa was scheduled to give a keynote address at the conference.  No reasons were given by Indian immigration why the visa was rejected.

<< H.E. The 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche, Pema Tönyö Nyinje, in his pre-recorded video address at the World Buddhist Conference in Kuala Lumpur

The theme for the conference is “Trancending Negative Emotions”, and speakers as well as participants are expected to exchange ideas and experiences in issues and ways to create happiness and well being in our lives.

In his pre-recorded video address, the Tai Situpa expressed his bewilderment why he was denied physical presence in Kuala Lumpur, as he said “I myself cannot understand why this is happening.”

The presence of Tai Situpa was the key highlight of this edition of the WBC, which was last held in 2010. In that edition, Ven. Thich Nhat Hahn gave the keynote address.

In Tibetan Buddhism the Tai Situpa is one of the oldest lineages of tulkus (said to be reincarnated lamas) in the Kagyu school. The Tai Situpa is considered to be one of the highest ranking lamas of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

Expectations for the 2nd WBC were heightened as the present  12th Kenting Tai Situpa, H.E. Rinpoche Pema Tönyö Nyinje is a renowned Buddhist master. On a more personal level the present 12th Tai Situpa is a scholar, poet, calligrapher, artist, author, architect and geomancer.

The 12th Tai Situpa was instrumental in recognizing H.H. the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, one of the two candidates claimed to be the 17th Karmapa, whom he coronated at Tsurphu Monastery outside Lhasa in August 1992. He is the main Guru of Orgyen Trinlay in Mahamudra and training in turn the next generation of Buddhist masters.

In his video address, the Tai Situ advised the audience to learn "how to balance emotions, as negative emotions are the cause of suffering". He said that "if we cannot improve ourselves and find a balance to counter negative emotions, the world can only get worse”.

The Tai Situpa outlined the vast changes the world have undergone in the last 50 years and concluded that much is not good. The advent of overt greed, environmental degradation and unsustainable development are the result of mindsets grounded on being too selfish, greedy and overly aggressive in wealth accumulation.

He cautioned that hope for a better future in the next 50 years can only happen if we persist to make positive changes to our current mindsets and to take steps to improve existing difficulties.

This would include the development of different levels of awareness and values, driven by a change in simple personal attitude, which includes making the following as living principles in our lives, that is, to embed compassion, love, wisdom and care in the way we function day to day, moment to moment.

The Tai Situpa said that as human beings we have to keep faith in the ultimate goodness of human nature, and that our primordial essence has always been to do good.

The WBC has attracted speakers from Australia, the USA, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and India. 500 participants are attending the two days conference from Nov 3-4, 2012.

Held bi-annually, the conference attracts renowned Dharma teachers from all over the world. It is co-organised by the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia, The Buddhist Gem Fellowship and The Buddhist Missionary Society of Malaysia. The conference is also supported by eight others Buddhist organizations.

More information on The 12th Tai Situpa
http://www.palpung.org/english/taisitupa/brief_brief.htm

The World Buddhist Conference on the web: www.wbc.my

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Tibetan delegates forced to leave conference due to Chinese pressure

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Three Tibetan delegates left the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) conference after China's delegation threatened boycott

Yeosu, South Korea -- Three Tibetan delegates were forced to leave the delegates’ assembly meeting after Chinese officials threatened to boycott the 26th World Fellowship of Buddhist Conference’s delegate’s assembly on June 12th, 2012 claiming that they represent Tibet’s government-in-exile.

Two Tibetans, including a senior envoy of Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, are in Korea to attend the biannual event currently being held in the coastal city. The two are Samdong Rinpoche, a former prime minister of Tibet’s government-in-exile, and Pema Chhinjor, minister of religion and culture.

AFP reports a spokesperson stating that “The WFB secretary-general accepted the Chinese demand that the Tibetans leave so the meeting could go smoothly,” as the spokesperson “...called the decision by the WFB chairman ‘embarrassing.’ ”

The Chinese delegation left for Busan on Wednesday morning in a vehicle provided by the Chinese Embassy, the organizing committee said.

Seventeen delegates from China and the Chairman of the WFB returned to their home countries on early morning of June 14th, 2012 in what was said to be an apparent protest against Tibetan participation.

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the main organizers of the the 26th World Fellowship of Buddhist Conference of South Korea, criticized the Chinese delegations’ actions and showed support to the Tibetan delegations.

In a statement released on June 14th, 2012, the Jogye Order criticized the actions of the Chinese delegations stating, “...Tibetan participation is a WFB approved representation, and the Chinese delegation’s apparent protest against Tibetan participation goes against values of what the Buddhist communities across the globe stands for...” 

The Jogye Order also states, “Through the World Fellowship of Buddhists Conferences in South Korea, we hope that the Buddhist communities across the globe can once again  recognize Tibetan Buddhism warm heartedly, and we also actively wish for Tibetan Buddhism to be freely practiced in Tibet.”

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India, China organise conference on Buddhism

Inaugurating the conference, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, "Buddhism defines Asia as a unique space.

Over its long history, it has been the most inclusive, most tolerant and most accommodative way of life when it comes to fostering diversity, solidarity and oneness across Asia".

"This is implicit in the forms of Buddhist architecture. Tales of deliverance by the Buddha have been replicated in arts and sculptures across Asia," he said.

The two day Conference titled ''Buddhism: Mapping Asia''s History and Culture'' was being attended by scholars from India, China, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

Recounting Bihar''s contribution to the religion, Kumar said that it could be called the cradle of Buddhism.

"The term ''Bihar'' itself derives from the Sanskrit word ''Vihara'', which has relations with Buddhist viharas," he said.

About the revival of the famous fourth century Nalanda University, specialising in Buddhist studies, he said it represented the best of the tradition of academic activities.

"Scholars from Nalanda University, such as Bodhidharma took Buddhism to other parts of the world including China, Korea and Japan. Chinese pilgrim, Xuanzang has left detailed accounts of Nalanda," he said.

He said his government was fully committed to the establishment of the Nalanda International University.

"Government of India is making budgetary provisions for the university. Though the university is being established in Bihar, it will have an international status," he said adding that the Nalanda mentor group includes scholars from Singapore, China and Japan.

Many countries including China have shown interest in financing the construction of the university. China has announced a contribution of USD one million for the project.

"Maintaining this university would be a source of great pride and prestige for us," he said.

In his address, Yogeswar Verma, Deputy Director General of Indian Council of Cultural Relations, which sponsored the conference, said, "Buddhism defines Asia and when we talk about Asia, India and China are the two most ancient living civilisations with rich cultural heritage, where Buddhism brought many nations and civilisations together."
"In this context, it is indeed important to delve into and rethink together the thoughts and concepts of this age old philosophy," he said.

India and China simultaneously held a Yoga summit at the Chinese city of Guangzhou. Over a 1000 Yoga enthusiast attended the training sessions being conducted by yoga guru B K S Iyangar.

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