Secretary-General, at Event Marking 2,600 Years since Buddha’s Enlightenment,

Urges Remembrance of His Message: Tolerance, Respect for All Religions

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the special event marking the 2,600^th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Buddha, in New York today, 16 May:

I am pleased to celebrate this auspicious occasion with you.  It is a personal celebration for me, since my mother is a devout Buddhist.

I remember being inspired by the teachings of the Buddha as a child.  The wisdom of mindfulness, compassion and peace.  These values guided me through my early years.  And they were part of what motivated me to seek a career in public service.  Three years ago, I visited the Buddha’s birthplace at Lumbini in Nepal.  As I walked through the sacred grounds, I gave silent thanks for his teachings.

Buddhism and the United Nations share the goals of peace, dignity and human rights for all people.  That is why, more than 10 years ago, the General Assembly passed a resolution on recognizing the Day of Vesak around the world.  At the time, the representative of Sri Lanka quoted a famous saying of the Buddha: “One may conquer millions in battle, but he who conquers himself is alone the greatest of conquerors.”

This reminds me of the first words of the UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] Constitution, which states that, “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”.

In our world of conflict and war, the United Nations is building strong defences of peace.  Through mediation, dialogue and diplomacy.  Through removing the conditions that cause unrest, from hunger and poverty to inequality and injustice.  And through our unwavering commitment to protecting our planet’s environment.

In this great effort, we can learn from the teachings of the Lord Buddha.  Two thousand six hundred years ago, he advanced the idea that all people are interlinked.  Today, we see how true that is.  We are linked by air travel, mobile phones and social networks.  We are all vulnerable to threats like disease, environmental pollution and natural disasters.  We can only overcome these problems by banding together for our common humanity.  Our fates are intertwined.

Two thousand six hundred years ago, the Lord Buddha taught that life and its environment are one.  Today, we know that the way we treat our planet directly affects us.  When we poison our water supply or exhaust our resources, we will suffer the effects.  When we care for our environment and protect nature, we can reap the benefits.

Two thousand six hundred years ago, the Lord Buddha preached non-violence and profound respect for all living beings.  Today, we are far from realizing these noble principles, but we understand the urgency of this task.  That is why we work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, why we promote mutual understanding and why we seek to resolve disputes peacefully.

The Buddha’s teachings may be 26 centuries old, but they are as powerful as ever today.  As we celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha, let us remember, above all, his message of tolerance.  Let us respect all religions.  And let us work for the well-being of all people.

 Urges Remembrance of His Message: Tolerance, Respect for All Religions

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the special event marking the 2,600^th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Buddha, in New York today, 16 May:

I am pleased to celebrate this auspicious occasion with you.  It is a personal celebration for me, since my mother is a devout Buddhist.

I remember being inspired by the teachings of the Buddha as a child.  The wisdom of mindfulness, compassion and peace.  These values guided me through my early years.  And they were part of what motivated me to seek a career in public service.  Three years ago, I visited the Buddha’s birthplace at Lumbini in Nepal.  As I walked through the sacred grounds, I gave silent thanks for his teachings.

Buddhism and the United Nations share the goals of peace, dignity and human rights for all people.  That is why, more than 10 years ago, the General Assembly passed a resolution on recognizing the Day of Vesak around the world.  At the time, the representative of Sri Lanka quoted a famous saying of the Buddha: “One may conquer millions in battle, but he who conquers himself is alone the greatest of conquerors.”

This reminds me of the first words of the UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] Constitution, which states that, “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”.

In our world of conflict and war, the United Nations is building strong defences of peace.  Through mediation, dialogue and diplomacy.  Through removing the conditions that cause unrest, from hunger and poverty to inequality and injustice.  And through our unwavering commitment to protecting our planet’s environment.

In this great effort, we can learn from the teachings of the Lord Buddha.  Two thousand six hundred years ago, he advanced the idea that all people are interlinked.  Today, we see how true that is.  We are linked by air travel, mobile phones and social networks.  We are all vulnerable to threats like disease, environmental pollution and natural disasters.  We can only overcome these problems by banding together for our common humanity.  Our fates are intertwined.

Two thousand six hundred years ago, the Lord Buddha taught that life and its environment are one.  Today, we know that the way we treat our planet directly affects us.  When we poison our water supply or exhaust our resources, we will suffer the effects.  When we care for our environment and protect nature, we can reap the benefits.

Two thousand six hundred years ago, the Lord Buddha preached non-violence and profound respect for all living beings.  Today, we are far from realizing these noble principles, but we understand the urgency of this task.  That is why we work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, why we promote mutual understanding and why we seek to resolve disputes peacefully.

The Buddha’s teachings may be 26 centuries old, but they are as powerful as ever today.  As we celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha, let us remember, above all, his message of tolerance.  Let us respect all religions.  And let us work for the well-being of all people.

Dear all friends in the Dhamma,

May I take this opportunity to inform you that I am leaving for Bangkok on this Friday(30. May.2008). 

Firstly, I would like to give a special thanks to all what you have done during my stay in Korea from December 2006 to the present now. I am sorry that the time has come to leave Korea and carry on my studies in Bangkok. However, I really have a very good time with you all within my stay in Korea. Obviously, I have met lot people from different countries, ages, experiences. It has been very nice that we could share our thoughts to one another and being as Dhamma friends in this Samsara Journey.

Among them, initially, I would like to thank to Ven. Sandima for his sponsor and bringing me to Korea. I can fully understand that without him, I wouldn’t have been here with you. I have been very happy to help Ven. Sandima as well as Myanmar Buddhist Center. We all know that Myanmar Buddhist Center was the first established among Myanmar Temple in Korea. Therefore, I won’t forget him in my life.

I see myself I have done lots of things in propagating the Buddha’s teaching more than ever. I would say that Korea is the first place where I teach in English rather than my own language. It means I learnt something from Korea with your helps.

Secondly, I would like to remind that it is a very good idea to forgive one another if we have done something wrong to each other by unwholesome action bodily, verbally and mentally. As to me, I totally forgive you all what you have done a bad deed upon me. In return, may I request from you to forgive whatever is done when I was unmindful. By doing so, our journey in the continuity of existence will be nice till Nirvana.

And even I am way; it doesn’t necessarily mean that I won’t keep in touch. In fact, I just leave for a while to carry on my studies. As you all know that, nowadays the global is getting smaller, so we can easily keep in touch swiftly for long ways to come. Developments is technology have made it possible for us to have instant communication all over the world. So remember that I will feel as I am in Korea wherever I go.

Lastly, I am grateful to all for what you have done. Sorry that I can’t mention all the names because I can appreciate that you will fully understand why.

In short, once again, thanks to all Dhamma friends: Korean, Myanmar, Thai, American, Uzbekistani, Irish, Canadian, and African and all Buddhist and non Buddhists. Be mindful with the Dhamma.

May the Triple Gem always be upon you and your family in the worldly pleasure and in the Dhamma!

With metta,

Ven. Pannyabhoga

Myanmar Buddhist Center

Seoul

Dear all devotees, temple supporters of Myanmar Buddhist Center,

First, we just wish to say a big “Thank you” to you all and how we appreciate your help on Vesak celebration yesterday.(18^th May 2008).

As you all know that Full moon Day of May:  Visakha Puja day,( Burmese, Nyaung Ye Thoon Pwe Taw- In Sri Lankan, Vesak:- Thai Visakha Puja) is an extremely important day in the Buddhist tradition, it was on this day that the Buddha was born,  35 years later achieved fully enlightenment and a another 45 years later passed away into total Nibbana. In each case, these events took place on the full-moon day in May, when the moon is in the Visakha, which is why the day is called Visakha Puja.

Every year when this important day comes around again, we Buddhists take the opportunity to pay homage to the Buddha as a way of expressing our gratitude for his goodness. It means we should reflect on the qualities of the Buddha. The more we know about the Buddha the more we know His nature, His purity, His wisdom. Therefore, it is very important to reflect on the qualities of the Buddha on this auspicious occassion.

Secondly, we would like to thank to all observers ( Kappiya). You are so active to clean the temple and keep everything ready done. Thanks once again.

On the other note: it has been very nice to see many of you came from different countries, cultural, multinational and far and near such as Myanmar, Korean, Japanese, Irish, Uzbekistani and even Thai. We also have met many students studying in Korea. Therefore, we are grateful to you for all you have done on Buddha’s Birthday in year.

Correspondingly, when this important day comes again, we Buddhists hope to meet you like in this year.

Particularly, it is a very good idea that we share our meritorious deeds to all living beings in this universe, especially for our people who lost their life hit by cyclone on 2^nd May 2008, in Myanmar.

May they all rejoice in our good deeds and the benefits of our merits, may each and everyone of them equally receive.( Myanmar- Amya ~ Amya ~ Amya~ Yu Taw) As the result; may they be born in a better life and realm happily.

And also May the victims in the delta area of our country be free from physical and mental suffering. May no harm come to them!

Finally, we sincerely like to extend our “Thanks” to you all for participating in ceremony.

On this auspicious occassion, May the Triple Gem always be upon you and your family for your success, peace and harmony, happiness and prosperity both in the worldly pleasure and in the Dhamma!

Ashin Pinnyabhoga

Myanmar Buddhist Center

Anguk, Seoul

There was a lunch offering at Myanmar Buddhist Center, Seoul (30, March 2008) which is referred to departed mother whose name: Daw Khin Than Win . She, (Daw Khin Than Win) passed away six years ago. Sunday, March 30, 2008, is the sixth year on in a memorable occasion of Daw Khin Than Win passing away. Therefore, her daughter Daw Sabai Thein. (doctorate student, Korea) and her family offered lunch to the Sangha at MBC.

On behalf of Sangha, MBC would like to give a special thanks to Daw Sabai Thein for her generosity and many thanks go to all devotees who helped Daw Sabai Thein in ceremony.

It is difficult to practice meditation together at the temple. We fully understand that many of you are so busy. However, today MBC would like to say that all you are lucky what we practiced meditation together after offering lunch.

May the Triple Gem always be upon you and your family for your success.  Finally MBC wish Daw Khin Than Win be happy with her new life and attain the real truth, Nibbana.

with metta,

MBC

Dear all friends in the Dhamma,

This is to inform you that Venerable Sunyana will be leaving from Korea for Bkk Tomorrow(30, March, 2008). He came to Korea with Ven. Pannyabhoga, on one side for missionary work and on the other to help Ven. Sandima:   the abbot of Myanmar Buddhist Center, Seoul, Korea.They came here at the end of 2006. It has been almost for over one year long. Sunyana has patiently helped the Temple activities effectively, obediently under the abbot of the temple. For example, he helped in teaching English and Dhamma class. Besides, he could also take care of the temple and many other responsibilities like doing meditation as well as multiple information. It is hard to see such as Ven. Sunyana.

One of the Buddha’s disciples once said to him; “it seems, venerable sir, that half the holy life is having good spiritual friends” The Buddha replied: in fact, the whole of the holy life is having good spiritual friends.” Each of us can benefit greatly from having friends who genuinely support our spiritual journey. That’s why, when it comes to spiritual point of view, we will never forget him.

However, now Ven. Sunyana would like to further his study. Therefore, the time he will be away from Korea goes without saying. It means depends on his study. He will be doing postgraduate degree in Thailand hopefully. We would finally like to say a big “thanks” to him for his kindness, patience and friendliness in serving Myanmar Buddhist Center. We wish him to be successful and good years be ahead of him.

Hope to meet him in Korea once again.

May all be happy

MBC

Korea

Dear friends in Dhamma,

Let us share this information to you. Tomorrow, (21-March 2008) Ven. Vayaminda is leaving for Sri Lanka via Singapore. His flight is EK 349, Emirate Airline.  He will arrive in Colombo 01:20 am local time on 22, March, 2008.

He has been here, in Korea for a couple of months. He was replaced in teaching Dhamma for a while at Myanmar Buddhist Center and Buddhist English Library. When Ven. Pannyabhoga  went to India and participated in New temple opening ceremony, Vayaminda was taking  the temple duty and teaching Dhamma . Thanks so much for his efforts. We also like to say “ thanks” to Chong-Ah Sunim for sponsoring. Besides, he also went to Japan for a week before he came to Korea. We hope to see him again.

With metta,

MBC