Atmosphere of MOU signing ceremony

“Memorandum of Understanding” signing ceremony
For research and teaching of Buddhism in the old era
On "Theravada Buddhism: Continuity and Diversity."
Between Wat Phra Dhammakaya and the three leading institutions in the world:
University of Oxford, Oxford, University of London King's College,
University College Cork.
Compiled from the Inner Dreams Kindergarten program broadcasted on DMC

The “Memorandum of Understanding” signing ceremony was ended peacefully and warmly among the elation of our Dhammakaya merit-seeking followers. The sound of the word, “Sadhu” can be heard outside the room SPD 7 at Wat Phra Dhammakaya. The greatest event of history began when the most venerable Phrabhavanaviriyakhun Dattajeevo arrived at the center of the ceremony. Images of collaboration of Wat Phra Dhammakaya with the leading organizations were gradually being shown on video replay. This caused the Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s goal of creating good citizens to become even more pronounced. Wat Phra Dhammakaya never stopped working towards its goal for even a single day. Before the representatives from these 3 leading universities will rise up to congratulate and sign a memorandum of understanding with Wat Phra Dhammakaya for further research of Buddhism in a topic called “Theravada Buddhism: Continuity and Diversity” in front of all the witnesses that stood in the SPD 7 room and those that watched from the best live media channel (DMC) to the world.

 

The most venerable Phrabhavanaviriyakhun Dattajeevo (Vice abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya) is also the representative for our temple in signing a memorandum of understanding with the three leading institutions in the world.

 

From the left to the right: Professor Brian Bocking (University College Cork), Dr. Gillian Evison (University of Oxford), Professor Xinzhong Yao (University of London King’s College)

 

Kalaymit Bunapod Damapong, representative of Wat Dhammakaya, welcomed our guests

 
Professor Brian Bocking, University College Cork, Ireland, said, “I am excited to be here. We used to have an understanding of Theravada Buddhism based on knowledge from the West, which is a narrow perspective from the textbook. This made it difficult to understand how Theravada Buddhism really is. However, the funding we received from Wat Phra Dhammakaya will give us a chance to look backward to the history of the traditional Theravada Buddhism. We will be able to practice meditation, and improve our understanding of Thervada Buddhism teachings about meditation.”
 

 

 Professor Brian Bocking from University College Cork

 
Dr. Gillian Evison from the University of Oxford said: “I’m a representative on behalf of the Bodleian Library, Oxford. I’m delighted and would like to say thanks to Wat Phra Dhammakaya for their kindness. This project will bring enormous benefits to the library, scholars and Buddhist practitioners. Our library has been compiled of various Buddhist scriptures and teachings since the 1602. However, nowadays, old scriptures and teachings of Theravada Buddhism do not have the opportunity to be widely spread to other people, including to the Buddhist practitioners and scholars. This is because many people do not have the permission to access these resources easily. Many thanks to the Dhammakaya Foundation for this project will help solve the problems of limited access. Moreover, we will be able to meet experts with experience and knowledge in the field of Theravada Buddhism. Furthermore, we will be able to come together to research on these traditional teachings.”
  

 

Dr. Gillian Evison from Oxford University

 
Professor Xinzhong Yao from King’s College London, said: “This is the great beginning of spreading Buddhism teachings. I see at least 3 benefits from this project. The first benefit is that it will create further academic studies of Buddhism in the world’s level. Theravada Buddhism is a very important subject that the world should learn more about to understand more of it. The second benefit is that it will promote religious studies among the students and the general public. The third benefit is that it will help maintain the relationship of religions through conversations among Buddhists, Christians, Jews and Islam, which is very important in creating world peace in our current world.
  

 

Professor Xinzhong Yao from King’s College London

Today, small pen marks from a few people will be leading us to the great marks of humanity, which is similar to travelling through time to discover the Lord Buddha’s true teachings. This will also be the last path of creating world peace.

Basic Information of the world’s three leading institutions that signed a memorandum of understanding with Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Oxford University has been opened since the year 1096, which was 915 years ago. Oxford University is the leader in Buddhism studies in the West. Moreover, Pali and Sanskrit classes have been opened at Oxford University. Many famous scholars in Europe and Asia have studied here. The Bodleian library at Oxford University is complied of various important Buddhist scriptures and teachings.

King’s College London is another leading university that is recognized internationally for the strength of it programs in many fields, including, Medicine, Science, Philosophy, and has a long history of research on many religions. In the past, there has been teaching of Buddhism as well. However, in the past 7 years, it has been closed down. The reason is due to the lack of experts and those who have expertise in the field of teaching Buddhism until now.  Currently, the researchers from these three universities have gathered to study under this project. This is great because Buddhism classes will now be brought back for teaching at these 3 institutions again.

University College Cork from Ireland is also one of the leading universities that have religious education professors who pursue leaderships of international cooperation. Their works also have become internationally recognized in both Europe and America.
 
 
 Translated by Pichayapa Suenghataiphorn

Edited by View Riddell