Thailand Hosts World Buddhist Summit

[sabaijai]

Thailand hosts World Buddhist Summit

TNA, October 23, 2005

BANGKOK (Thailand) The fourth World Buddhist Summit will take place in Thailand next month when leaders of the two sects will meet and exchange views and opinions, seeking cooperation and overcoming differences, with an aim to bringing about prosperity and security for Buddhism.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening ceremony November 1 at Chumporn Khatudomsak Buiding Convention Hall, Royal Thai Navy headquarters.

The summit will be hosted by Mahamakut Buddhist University.

The leaders of the two major sects of Buddhism -- Theravada (Hinayana) and Mahayana -- are expected to use the summit as an arena to exchange views and opinions for a better understanding and strengthen cooperation in propagating Buddhism for the sake of the happiness and peacefulness of mankind.

Moreover, group discussions on four themes provided will result in new knowledge being acquired and shared by all participants and then able to be translated into practice.

The topics are Buddhism and Information Technology; Propagation of Buddhism in the Age of Globalization; Buddhism: The Religion of Human Beings, by Human Beings but for all Sentient Beings and the Role of the Buddhist Community in relation to Terrorism and Natural Disaster.

Approximately 3,500 participants--Buddhist leaders and delegations from 23 countries--are expected to attend the summit: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand and Vietnam.

A Joint Communique signed by all participating Buddhist leaders will be announced at the end of the meeting.

source: http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=3919

[chownah]

Many people think that it is historically incorrect to apply the term "hinayana" to Theraveda Buddhism. Any information or opinions on this?

[Abandon]

'hinayana' can be translated as 'light load' as opposed to the 'heavy load' (load = to bear) of Mahayana since in mahayana one must take the Bodhisattva vow to liberate all beings, and to master all the doors of the Dhamma before attaining to Nibbana. Personally, I have enough trouble liberating my little own self.

As for the 'World Meeting' - not another one. Seems ever few months mahacula, or the Buddhist ministry, or the WFB or someone is hosting a 'conference' again. There's a lot of money being spent on these things.....

[camerata]

Apparently, Aj Brahm is speaking at the Summit and there will be an interview with him on Radio Thailand on November 2, in the morning.

[bankei]

I wonder who the leaders of these so called sects are? There is no one leader of Theravada. In Thailand there are 2 Nikaya's, but I suppose the Sangharaja would be termed leader. In Sri Lanka there are 3 main Nikaya with about 20 sub Nikaya. I don't think there is a Sangharaja there. Similar in Myanmar. There are 9 Nikaya's but no Sangharaja. Not to mention all of the other countries.

Mahayana is even more diverse. There could be no one whom cold be called leader of Mahayana.

As for Hinayana. Theravada is only one school of the so called Hinayana. There were 18 Hinayana schools in early India, and Theravada is the only surviving one. Many do not like the term 'Hinayana', other options are 'non Mahayana', Nikaya Buddhism etc.

[Abandon]

Right - did they get the most important people involved? No! They did not invite me!

All these conferences ... mahacula, wfb, mahamakut, ministery of Buddhism .... Cost a fortune and for what ???

[sabaijai]

I wonder who the leaders of these so called sects are? There is no one leader of Theravada. In Thailand there are 2 Nikaya's, but I suppose the Sangharaja would be termed leader. In Sri Lanka there are 3 main Nikaya with about 20 sub Nikaya. I don't think there is a Sangharaja there. Similar in Myanmar. There are 9 Nikaya's but no Sangharaja. Not to mention all of the other countries.

Mahayana is even more diverse. There could be no one whom cold be called leader of Mahayana.

As for Hinayana. Theravada is only one school of the so called Hinayana. There were 18 Hinayana schools in early India, and Theravada is the only surviving one. Many do not like the term 'Hinayana', other options are 'non Mahayana', Nikaya Buddhism etc.

I interpreted it to mean 'leaders' in the general sense, in other words a variety of monks and laypersons noted for their leadership in Buddhishm, whether clerical, academic, spiritual, etc. Didn't attend myself so dunno for sure. Peopl of all religions organise conferences like this, so I don't see anything odd or untoward about it.

Sri Lanka has two sangharajas for the two largest nikaya there, residing in two different monasteries in Kandy.

[Suthep_Steve]

Many people think that it is historically incorrect to apply the term "hinayana" to Theraveda Buddhism.  Any information or opinions on this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know about historically but IMHO in terms of doctrine Hinayana and Theraveda are distinct. For Mahayanists the Hinayana is that part of the sutras that deal with gaining a fortunate rebirth and personal liberation from Nirvana. We consider loving kindness, compassion etc. to be part of the Mahayana. The Theravada is rich in these.

However please don't imply that I am in anyway belittling the Hinayana. It is the bed rock upon which the Mahayana is built. How can you have compassion for others if you don't understand your own suffering? If you don't have a realization of Renunciation it is impossible to become a Bodhisattva.

The Theravadians use sutras that Mahayanists consider to be part of the Mahayana. I can't remeber which ones off hand but if you want to check some are listed in Meaningful to Behold by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (Chapter 9) and probably in other comentaries to Shantidevas Guide to the Boddhisattvas Way of Life.