On Sunday March 28th 2547 [2004] The Foundation for the Support of Buddhistic Knowledge Exchange Programme etc. presented a Dhamma Lecture on Psychology in Buddhism in tribute to HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the anniversary of her birthday on April 2nd, 2547 [2005]; in the Sanna Dhammasakdi Convention Hall, by Associate Professor Dr. Pannarai Sapyaprapa.

In addition, WFB would like to thank professors Prayorm and MR Orachat Songthong for their excellent poem composed for the auspicious occasion.

The WFB would like to congratulate Dr. Manoon Mookpradit who was unanimously elected Rector of the WBU by the university council convened in Taiwan in February.

Other positions currently held by him include Assistant General Secretary to the Chai Patana Foundation, Under Royal Patronage;  Advisor to the WFB Executive Board, and board member of several prominent government institutions such as the Provincial Electricity Authority.

Our congratulations to Mr. Anurut Vongvanij as well on his being conferred the Commander [Third Class] of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn.

Our warmest congratulations as well as empathic appreciation goes to Ms. Tamarine Tanasugarn on her women's double tennis victory.  She donated 105,000 bahts of the prize to the Dhammika People for the Blind Foundation.

Our congratulations to Group Captain (Special) Prayong Suwanbubha for his Honorary Doctorate Degree from Mahamakutrajavidyalai on May 23rd, 2547 [2004].

The World Vesak Week: four Buddhist organizations and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration held a Vesak celebration from May 30th - June 3rd in the Benjasiri Park.

The Venerable Somdej Prah Budhacariya [currently acting on behalf of the Supreme Patriarch] presided over the Sangha, while the President of the WFB, His Excellency Phan Wannamethee, presided over the laity during the opening ceremony, attended by honoured guests from the joint organizers.

This first joint celebration schedule was settled rather late, we hope that next year the programme of the main events will be available at least a month in advance although minor changes might be inevitable.

[Pictorial report upcoming]

On July 1st, BE. 2547 (2004) the Executive Board of the WFB, led by Ms Piyaporn Erbprasatsuk paid homage to the Buddha Image, Prah Ruang Rojanarit and the Abbot of the Pathom Chedi Monastery, Prah Dheppariyutimuni.

The Abbot kindly gave them auspicious pocket sized 'Buddhist Cards' to distribute; those interested in procuring them please contact [in person] the WFB Headquarters during office hours.

Every morning upon waking up,
At 8.00 am. on the raising of the flag,
At 6.00 pm. on the lowering of the flag,
Before going to bed.

Ms Piyaporn Erbprasatsuk's party was very warmly welcomed by the local WFB Regional Centre, the Nakorn Pathom Buddhist Association representatives, Mrs. Pranee Wattanapongse and Mrs.Yomana Suthasamith.
 

His Excellency Mr. J.D.A. Wijewardena, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand, paid a visit to the President of the WFB on May 25th, 2547.

On Thursday July 8th, 2547 [2004] the venerable Dhammarato [left], the Australian disciple [ordained for over 10 years] to Luang Pou Chaa [the venerable Subhadho Bhikkhu]; and the venerable Adavo [right], a German samanera [ordained for over 2 years] who is about to receive higher ordination at the end of the month, paid a visit to the World Fellowship of Buddhists Headquarters [WFBHQ] and the World Buddhist University [WBU].

  His Excellency Phan Wannamethee, the President of the organization, Lt. Gen. Chalom Wismol, the Vice President, Phallop Thaiarry the Honorary Secretary General and Dr. Nantasarn  Seesalab, the Deputy Rector of the WBU, as well as its Board Members, and Members of the WFB Executive Board extended them a warm welcome.

On the same day, Thursday July 8th, 2547 [2004], the WFB Executive Board, headed by His Excellency Phan Wannamethee and the Rector of the WBU, Dr. Manoon Mookpradit were very grateful that Prof. Khunying Maenmas Chavalit,  President of the Thai Library Association (Under Royal Patronage of HRH. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn) and Assoc. Prof. Suwadee Vichetpans kindly contributed their great experience to the WFB and WBU in their plans to set up an E-Library.

From July 16-19 2547 [2004] WFB General Secretary Phallop Thaiarry, WBU Assistant Rector Dr. Nandasarn Seesalab, and WFBY President Anurut Wongvanij attended the International Conference on Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism at the Convention Hall at Buddhamonthon and the UN Convention Centre.  On July 19th 2547 the conference was opened by HRH the Crown Prince.
 

On July 25th 2547 [2004] the WFB and the SBK Foundation organized a Dhamma lecture in honor of HRH the Crown Prince's birthday anniversary. (Special) Group Captain Prayong Suwanbubha presided over the ceremonies, while the Venerable Prah Brahmavajiranana the Abbot of Wat Yannawa gave the sermon entitled, 'the Accumulator of Paramis', and the Venerable Debcetiyacariya [Luang Por Viriyang Saritharo] the Abbot of Wat Dhammamongkol led the meditation session.

Because of Buddhist Rains Retreat from August 1st - October 28th, the bhikkhus of the International Buddhist Forest Monastery in Ubon Rajathani, invited by the WFB to teach Meditation classes, will not be able to travel to Bangkok.  The WFB will be inviting bhikkhus who spend the vassa in the Capital as well as other Dhamma Teachers to lead the classes in the meantime.

        On the 1st  August, BE. 2547 (2004), Dr. Banjob Bannaruji, a Lecturer at Chulalongkorn University and Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University gave a Dhamma talk and lead the Meditation Class.
 

On August 5th, 2547 [2004] the Mahamakutrajavidyalai Foundation donated a set of Tipitaka [Siamrath Edition, 45 volumes] through the WFB, whose President Phan Wannamethee handed over to Dr. Manoon Mookpradit the Rector of the WBU, in order to translate the ancient texts into English to be published in dedication to HM the King's 7th cycle [84th] birthday anniversary in 2555 [2012].

On August 6th, 2547 [2004] the Ven. Bhadant Rahula the Vipassanacariya from our regional centre Bhikku Sangha's United Buddhist Missions, Mumbai, India kindly visited the WFB and WBU

On August 8th, 2547 his excellency Phan Wannamethee the president of WFB and the board of directors offered food to the monks and organized merit making ceremonies dedicated to HM the Queen on the auspicious occasion of her 72nd birthday anniversary.  Bhikkhus from the Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese Wats chanted; after which the Venerable Prah Brahmavajiranana gave a sermon in her honour.  Lunch was then offered to 170 bhikkhus.  The Abhidhamma in English session gave a special lecture on the Buddha's Mother.

On September 7th 2547 [2004] the local newspapers Daily News and Matichon printed the news and picture of Hollywood director Philippe Caland’s ad for his movie Hollywood Buddha, with the ad depicting him sitting on a Buddha’s statue’s head.

This kind of act is most unsuitable because it offends Buddhists all over the world, and according to the two lawyers who host a TV news and legal advice show called 'Huah Maw Jaw Khaow' on Channel 5 this ad would be illegal in Thailand where it is against the law to portray any religious artifacts disrespectfully in our country, whether Buddhism, Islam or Christianity or any other religion found in Thailand and protected by Thai laws.   We might mention that the King is the head of all religions and they all have equal rights against such detrimental depictions.  This man should keep away from Thai borders where the police might serve him warrants should he send the ads to Thailand.

The newspapers also said that the teachings were inaccurately portrayed, which is not illegal; but a matter of serious religious offense in the Buddhist belief according to the Tipitaka, where the results will come in future lifetimes, mainly, and will follow the person relentlessly wherever he would be.

We Buddhist should apply khantidhamma [tolerance] when we see such ads, which doesn’t mean that we do not know the difference between good people, gentlemen, those well educated, and the lowlife.

What can we expect from those with such lowlife behaviour.

On 29 September B.E. 2547 [2004]  President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists Mr. Phan Wannamethee led the WFB Secretariat members, board of directors and members of WFB Regional Centres in Thailand to pay their respect to His Holiness somdet Phra Nanasamvara the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand on the occasion of His Holiness’s 91th birthday [3 October B.E. 2547 [2004]].

The World Fellowship of Buddhists whose Headquarters is in Bangkok held an Executive Council Meeting at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok on 29 - 30 October B.E. 2547 (2004) with Mr. Phan Wannamethee, WFB President, as Chairman. Members of the Executive Council consist of representatives from 6 countries, namely U.S.A., Malaysia, Nepal, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan.

                This is the 69th Meeting of the WFB Executive Council, held in preparation for the 23rd WFB General Conference and the 14th WFBY General Conference of the WFB and the WFBY administration; with the aim of enlisting the cooperation of Buddhists around the world in solving problems and developing Buddhist activities such as the propagation of the Dhamma of the Buddha and the promotion of Buddhist dhammic practices.

On the occasion of the Birthday of His Majesty the King, (5th December) the Headquarters of the World Fellowship of Buddhists organized a Dhamma Talk and Meditation Practice to bestow the merits for the beloved King of the Thai people.  The event took place on Sunday November 28, B.E. 2547 (2004) at the WFB Headquarters and its neighbour, Benjasiri Park in Bangkok.
              The Programme started at 08.00 a.m. by alms offering to 9 monks followed by Dhamma Talk and Meditation Practice led by Somdet Phra Yanwarodom.  At 11.00 a.m. there was an offering of lunch to the Sangha.  The afternoon session began at 14.00 p.m. - 15.00 p.m. with the Dhamma Talk led by Dr. Sumet Tantivegkul.  Here are the events taken place on the special occasion.

 

September 5th, 2547 [2004]
Modified September 13th, 2547 [2004]