Royal Thai Embassy, Manila

Excellencies
Most Venerable Phra Dr. Anil Dhammasakiyo,
Most Venerable Talampitiye Sumangala Thero
Most Venerable Bup Kwan,
Representative of (His Excellency Edward Joseph Adams)
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Afternoon

It is a great pleasure to welcome you today, gathering for the celebration of the Visakha Puja Day 2008. I am truly honoured to receive the most respected representatives from various religions present here today, as well as our friends who come to join this very special day. I am also pleased that our gathering embodies the theme ?Peaceful Co-existence Among Different Faiths,? it is my desire that as we exchange views today, we will arrive at a more enlightened understanding which crosses-over our various beliefs. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Most Venerable Talampitiye Sumangala Thero, the representative of H.E. Edward Joseph Adams, and Most Venerable Bup Kwan for giving time to enlighten us.

Excellencies,

The most important day in? Buddhism is Visakha Puja. It is the day that three main events took place in the life of the Lord Buddha on the full moon day of the sixth or the Visakha lunar month. Visakha Puja is the day that the Buddhist countries and her communities will join hands together to celebrate the special event held at temples and other spiritual places all through out the country.? As the importance of Vesak Day , since year 2000 the United Nations has proclaimed Visakha Puja day to be an important day worldwide. Moreover, it has accepted Buddhism to be one of the oldest religions of the world with great spiritual benefits to the people for over 2,500 years.

Thailand, being a predominantly Buddhist, country has practiced this belief throughout the ages with spiritual activities within their families, schools and temples. The teachings of the Lord Buddha which centered on the realization of the true nature of life, the meaning of happiness and suffering, and what is beyond life, has given the unique quality to the lives of the Thai people which are always connected to the temple.

At the time of the Visakha Puja, Buddhists take part in spiritual activities such as prayers and chanting, listening to the monk?s counsel or words of wisdom, releasing birds or fishes in the water as a sign of valuing life, and charity, all of these are good works patterned in the goodness of the Lord Buddha.? A candlelight ceremony is also performed in the temple at night, as well as many other activities to maintain harmony in the community. Although the modern way of life has been adopted by the society, the old fundamental way is still not overlooked. The ancient lifestyle is continued to be preserved and passed on from generation to generation.? The practice of this spiritual heritage, therefore, is laid on solid ground and brings benefits and happiness in the lives of many Thais.

Excellencies,

We are very fortunate to have today Most Venerable Dr. Phra Anil Dhammasakiyo who joins us in our Visakha Puja Day 2008 celebration. To his credential, Venerable Phra Anil is the Assistant Secretary to His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand (Sangharaja). He graduated master of Philosophy from Cambridge University and Phd. from Brunel University in the United Kingdom. He is currently a lecturer in Mahamakut Buddhist University and Visiting Professor at Mahidol University in Bangkok and Santa Clara University in the United States. In addition, Phra Anil is also gaining international recognition as a monk-anthropologist and he has been invited to many international forums such as Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM?s) Interfaith Dialogues. Today, he is kind enough to be our moderator on the exchanging of views among various interfaiths.

May I welcome you all again, while I convey my sincere hope that my fellow friends will truly embrace the essence of our Visakha Puja Day 2008 theme of oneness as we crate a ?Peaceful Co-existence Among Different Faiths.?

Thank you very much.