Invited to Thailand for Vesak Celebration, Master Hsin Tao Reunites Joyfully with Venerable Phra Brahmapundit
The 19th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration was held on May 19 and May 20 at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. The event was organized by the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV) and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Buddhist leaders, scholars, and monks from 73 countries were invited to participate in the grand event. Among the invitees was Master Hsin Tao, founder of the Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society (LJM), who visited Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, the president of the ICDV, on the second day of the celebration.
The first full moon day in May each year is Vesak, an important holiday in Theravada Buddhism commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha Shakyamuni. This year, Vesak falls on May 23. As the host country, Thailand held the celebration early on May 19 and 20, which also served as a pre-birthday celebration for the 72nd birthday of King Vajiralongkorn, Rama X.
On May 19, during the celebration held at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Buddhist leaders from various countries delivered blessings for Vesak and participated in three symposiums discussing the application of Buddha Dharma in the modern world and the establishment of harmonious relationships. On May 20, the celebration took place at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, beginning with a collective prayer for world peace. Speeches were delivered by Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, the UN Secretary-General, and other dignitaries. General Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council of Thailand, conducted the monk-offering ceremony on behalf of King Rama X. After the successful conclusion of the celebration, everyone proceeded to the Great Buddha Statue to pray for King Rama X.
The LJM has had a long-standing connection with Thailand. The three golden Buddhas—the Success Buddha, Perfect Buddha, and Peace Buddha—enshrined in the Golden Buddha Hall at the Sheng Shan Temple were bestowed upon Taiwan after receiving royal approval from the King of Thailand, gifts from the Supreme Patriarch, and support from the Prime Minister, making their presence extremely precious and rare. The LJM held memorial services when Venerable Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana, the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, and King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away. In 2020, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Princess Srinagarindra, King Bhumibol's mother, a tree-planting and blessing ceremony was held in the Golden Buddha Garden at the Sheng Shan Temple.
Master Hsin Tao, who carries the Buddhist tradition of the Three Vehicles, has previously been invited to participate in international Vesak celebrations. In addition to being invited to this year's United Nations Vesak Day celebrations, he also met and exchanged views with Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the ICDV and Rector of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Thailand.
When the two discussed the establishment of the Museum of World Religions by Master Hsin Tao in Taipei in 2001, Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, who has also been a strong advocate of interfaith and multicultural initiatives, remarked that he was invited to attend the opening ceremony of the museum. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, but he has since been deeply impressed by this unparalleled religious museum.
They also had an engaging discussion about Master Hsin Tao’s experience of establishing the Sramanera School and a nursery in Myanmar. Master Hsin Tao mentioned the recent groundbreaking of the University for Life and Peace (ULP) in Myanmar and sought advice from Venerable Phra Brahmapundit on various aspects of running an educational institution. Master Hsin Tao explained that the ULP aims to promote ecological sustainability and respect for the intrinsic value of all species. Through education, the university seeks to advance these principles and collaborate with other religions to protect the Earth's ecology.
Venerable Phra Brahmapundit expressed high praise for Master Hsin Tao’s vision and shared his own experiences in ecological protection in Thailand. The two found themselves in complete agreement on the importance of ecological sustainability and interdependent coexistence of all living beings. They both emphasized the need to involve more religions in the efforts to protect ecology and culture and to promote economic collaboration. Venerable Phra Brahmapundit expressed his hope to maintain contact and continue exchanges with Master Hsin Tao in the future. He also expressed a strong desire to visit Taiwan and see the Museum of World Religions, a platform symbolizing "respect, tolerance, and universal love."
The first full moon day in May each year is Vesak, an important holiday in Theravada Buddhism commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha Shakyamuni. This year, Vesak falls on May 23. As the host country, Thailand held the celebration early on May 19 and 20, which also served as a pre-birthday celebration for the 72nd birthday of King Vajiralongkorn, Rama X.
On May 19, during the celebration held at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Buddhist leaders from various countries delivered blessings for Vesak and participated in three symposiums discussing the application of Buddha Dharma in the modern world and the establishment of harmonious relationships. On May 20, the celebration took place at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, beginning with a collective prayer for world peace. Speeches were delivered by Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, the UN Secretary-General, and other dignitaries. General Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council of Thailand, conducted the monk-offering ceremony on behalf of King Rama X. After the successful conclusion of the celebration, everyone proceeded to the Great Buddha Statue to pray for King Rama X.
The LJM has had a long-standing connection with Thailand. The three golden Buddhas—the Success Buddha, Perfect Buddha, and Peace Buddha—enshrined in the Golden Buddha Hall at the Sheng Shan Temple were bestowed upon Taiwan after receiving royal approval from the King of Thailand, gifts from the Supreme Patriarch, and support from the Prime Minister, making their presence extremely precious and rare. The LJM held memorial services when Venerable Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana, the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, and King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away. In 2020, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Princess Srinagarindra, King Bhumibol's mother, a tree-planting and blessing ceremony was held in the Golden Buddha Garden at the Sheng Shan Temple.
Master Hsin Tao, who carries the Buddhist tradition of the Three Vehicles, has previously been invited to participate in international Vesak celebrations. In addition to being invited to this year's United Nations Vesak Day celebrations, he also met and exchanged views with Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the ICDV and Rector of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Thailand.
When the two discussed the establishment of the Museum of World Religions by Master Hsin Tao in Taipei in 2001, Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, who has also been a strong advocate of interfaith and multicultural initiatives, remarked that he was invited to attend the opening ceremony of the museum. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, but he has since been deeply impressed by this unparalleled religious museum.
They also had an engaging discussion about Master Hsin Tao’s experience of establishing the Sramanera School and a nursery in Myanmar. Master Hsin Tao mentioned the recent groundbreaking of the University for Life and Peace (ULP) in Myanmar and sought advice from Venerable Phra Brahmapundit on various aspects of running an educational institution. Master Hsin Tao explained that the ULP aims to promote ecological sustainability and respect for the intrinsic value of all species. Through education, the university seeks to advance these principles and collaborate with other religions to protect the Earth's ecology.
Venerable Phra Brahmapundit expressed high praise for Master Hsin Tao’s vision and shared his own experiences in ecological protection in Thailand. The two found themselves in complete agreement on the importance of ecological sustainability and interdependent coexistence of all living beings. They both emphasized the need to involve more religions in the efforts to protect ecology and culture and to promote economic collaboration. Venerable Phra Brahmapundit expressed his hope to maintain contact and continue exchanges with Master Hsin Tao in the future. He also expressed a strong desire to visit Taiwan and see the Museum of World Religions, a platform symbolizing "respect, tolerance, and universal love."