Symposium on Buddhism in Paris to mark Vesak: Moon to attend
May 20, 2011 01:34 am
On the occasion of the 2600th anniversary of the Buddha’s enlightenment, the Sri Lankan Delegation to UNESCO, along with fellow-members of the Asia-Pacific Group of Permanent Delegations to UNESCO (ASPAC) is holding a symposium on “The Contribution of The Buddha’s Teachings to Universality, Humanism and Peace” today (Friday May 20).
The event, that is taking place at the UNESCO premises, aspires to generate an intellectual and philosophical discussion on the fundamental impact played by the Buddha’s teachings on universality, humanism and peace, says the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to the UNESCO in Paris.
The event will commence with an address of welcome, by H.E Mr. Viraphand Vacharathit, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, which will be followed by a special address by the Director-General of the UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova.
The Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, will be addressing a message to the audience to mark the importance of this event.
H.E. Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Parliament and Representative of India on the UNESCO Executive Board, will declare symposium with opening remarks on “Buddhism and the interfaith movement”.
This event will be addressed by recognized intellectuals in the field of Buddhist Studies, who belong to Member States of the UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Group.
The symposium will be moderated by H.E. Mr. David Hepburn, President of the UNESCO - General Conference, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to UNESCO.
The opening presentation is that of Professor Yang Jian’s, from the Institute of World Religions, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences ( CASS) who will focus on “The Humanistic Spirit in the Four Noble Truths”.
Professor Phra Dhammakosajam ( Prayoon Dhammcitto) from Mahachulalongkomrajavidyalaya University of Bangkok will follow with a “Message of Peace in Buddha’s Teachings.”
The Director of Research of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (C.N.R.S), Professor Osmund Boopearachchi, will reflect on “Buddhism as revealed by figurative art in Ghandara ( North-West Pakistan) reflecting regional cross-cultural elements.”
This will be followed by H.E Mr. Narang Nouth, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Kingdom of Cambodia to UNESCO, who will speak on “A great figure of Khmer Buddhism”.
A statement by H.E. Mr Mohan Krishna Shrestha, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to France, will then precede the presentation on “Adaptability of Buddha’s teachings in the ever changing face of Buddhism” by Mr. Orya Maqbool Jan, Secretary of the Government of Punjab, Pakistan.
Following these reflections, a discussion will be held on the various topics that were raised throughout the symposium.
Concluding this symposium, H.E Dr. Dayan Jayatileka - Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Sri Lanka to France, will address the gathering with his remarks and a vote of thanks.
The event was initiated and coordinated by the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO.
