Mettavalokanaya_International_Buddhist_Magazine_May_2019

The 9 th
International
Conference
on Art &
Culture
Network
(ICAC) -
Thailand....
The 9th “International Conference
on Art & Culture Network” (ICAC)
held at Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat
University in Thailand on
February 11 - 13. 2019 .This year held this
conference under the topic of “Dvaravati:
The Way of Life, the Way of Dhamma,
Wisdom in the Creative Economy”, is
due to the cooperation of the network of
arts and culture departments in various
universities throughout the country
which aims to promote. The special
invitees participated for this conference
from selected countries and share
their expereince and ideas for promote
international arts and culture. This
was the stage for exchange of learning
and develop knowledge about the
international arts and culture.
Dr. Lye Ket Yong, the President,
Middle East Meditation Center,
Secretary General, World Alliance of
Buddhists (WAB), Advisor, Pali University
of Sihora, Nagpur, India as the keynote
speaker for the 9th “International
Conference on Art & Culture Network”
deliverd the special ideas under the
topic of “Buddhism approach towards
a sustainable Peaceful Society”. This is
full keynote speech that he deliverd at
the conference.
“It gives me great pleasure and
honor to present this keynote address
on the special annual events of the
9th International Conference on Arts
and Culture Network and International
Forums with an auspicious theme
Dvaravati: Local Ways with Dharma Ways
Causing Wisdom to Creative Economy,
for promoting World Peace. Indeed, Arts
and Culture which commonly interacted
with Religions plays an important role in
the happiness and peaceful co-existence
of society in each and every country.
Thailand is a country with a rich history
of traditions and culture, also known as
the “Land of Smiles”. I am very happy
and thankful to the Organizers and
hosts namely, Thailand Universities Arts
and Culture Network- which consisted
of a consortium of 15 Universities
nationwide, Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat
University, in collaboration with the
Government of Thailand for organizing
and promoting this auspicious event
with an objective of promoting and
realizing World Peace.
Religions define Peace in different
ways; A biblical concept of Peace is
“to be complete” or “to be sound”, or
in other word, is to be one with God.
Most theist religions normally refer to
Peace as a supreme fulfillment by the
divine. Buddhism, however, look at
peace differently. To quote from the Lord
Buddha “Natthi Santi Param Sukhang
in Pali, which means, there is greater
happiness than peace”. The UNESCO
Constitution’s preamble declares that
“since wars begin in the minds of men, it
is in the minds of men that the defenses
of Peace must be constructed.” The Lord
Buddha proclaimed “When the water is
muddy, any creatures or even precious
gems cannot be seen. When the water
is clear, any creatures or precious gems
can then be seen. Just like the human
mind, when it is clouded, one cannot
distinguish between good or bad.
However, with a clear mind, one could
easily tell good from bad.” “Sati and
Samadhi” meaning Mindfulness and
Concentration are two important tools in
bringing about the clarity of the mind. To
achieve “Sati and Samadhi”, one needs
to practice Meditation which purifies the
mind to brings about inner Peace and
Happiness.
Peace and happiness are the core
philosophy of Buddhism. The prime
objective of Buddhism is to bring about
the well-being and happiness of mankind
as a whole (“bahujana-hitaya, bahujanasukhaya”
in Pali). For this purpose, the
Lord Buddha preached the doctrine
which is morally good in outset (“adikalyana”),
morally good in body (“majjhekalyana”)
and morally good in conclusion
(“pariyosana-kalyana”). With the wellbeing
and happiness of the mundane
world in mind, ultimately Buddhism has
focused to show the path of attaining
higher peace or ultimate happiness
(parama-sukha). The practical approach
to achieving higher peace is based
on one’s development on Generosity
(Dana), Morality (Sila), Mindfulness and
Concentration (Sati and Samadhi) and
Wisdom (Panya). Morality (Sila) or good
conduct is the foundation of the Buddhist
ethics. Therefore, the combination
of Generosity (Dana), Morality (Sila),
Mindfulness and Concentration (Sati and
Samadhi) together with Wisdom (Panya)
brings forth Inner Peace and happiness.
If each and every member
practices Meditation to achieves their
individual Inner Peace, practices Lovingkindness
and has good ethics and
morals, happiness in a society can be
realized. However, in order to have a
sustainable tolerant and peaceful coexistence
in Society, would require each
and every member to be virtuous, kind,
generous, considerate, responsible,
discipline, tolerant, considerate and
respectful. These virtues and positive
values need to be ingrained by both
mental realization and physical habits
development. In order to cultivate these
values, every member of Society must
be trained to develop the good habits of
“Universal Goodness” which comprises
of “Cleanliness, tidiness, politeness,
punctuality and mental concentration
through Meditation”. These daily
practices of Universal Goodness shall
lead to the development of selfresponsibility
which will ultimately lead
to empathy and many other characters
of Peace.
The more a person is trained with
their bodily, verbal and mental actions
through Universal Goodness, the more
a person will develop their character of
peace. World Peace is therefore not too
hard to achieve. The timeless teachings
of the Lord Buddha must be practice in
our daily life. Peace cannot be achieved
with a single effort or dialogue. It is only
when every person has achieved their
inner peace, then only the world can be
at peace. May all of you have a successful
Conference, stay Meritorious, be well
and happy. Thank you. In conjunction
with the 9th International Conference on
Art & Culture Network held the special
Holy Buddha’s Relics procession parade
& Consecration Ceremony at Nakhon
Pathom Rajabhat University premises on
February 11, 2019.
Buddhika Sanjeewa
Photographs by Nakhon Pathom
Rajabhat University and Pensiri
Mahasutthikul (Noomnim)
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