Speech of Solidarity and Verses of Resolution : หน้า 85/103
Sharing is Great : หน้า 85/103 A heartfelt speech by H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin on unity and compassion following the Tsunami Disaster.
In a poignant speech, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin emphasizes the teachings of Buddha regarding the Cycle of Rebirth, the interconnectedness of humanity, and the inevitability of parting. He reflects on the unpredictable nature of disasters, such as the Boxing Day Tsunami, and the importance of preparing for uncertainties through good deeds and compassion. The speech highlights the overwhelming support received during the disaster and encourages mourning victims through constructive actions that dedicate merit to those lost.
หัวข้อประเด็น
-Buddha's teachings -global family concept -Tsunami Disaster response -importance of compassion -constructive mourning actions
ข้อความต้นฉบับในหน้า
Speech of Solidarity and Verses of Resolution
By H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin,
representing the Prime Minister
Venerable Sirs, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen attending
here tonight from Thailand and from overseas.
The Lord Buddha himself taught that the Cycle of Rebirth is indeed so long that it is hard
to find a beginning, a middle or an end to it. He also taught that in the course of many
lifetimes, there are none of us who have never been family to one another. It is thus the case
that every human being on this planet is like the member of one global family. However,
what we must not forget is that sooner or later, no matter how much we may love one
another, we must experience parting. I am sure there is no one here who has never experienc-
ed the sorrow of being parted from a loved one. Taking the long-term perspective, it is not
once, but countless times, over the course of countless lifetimes that we have experienced the
sorrow of parting in this way - however, we are unable to recall all those previous sorrows
down to the present day.
This Tsunami Disaster has in some way passed on a warning to we who have lived
through it - that some catastrophes simply cannot be predicted - that sometimes the only
certain thing is uncertainty itself - and that the only reasonable way to prepare ourselves for
uncertainty is to accumulate the maximum of good deeds for ourselves and extend the
maximum of compassion towards our fellow man in the short lives available to us.
At the time when the devastation of the Boxing Day tidal wave struck, we in Thailand
have borne witness to the overwhelming response of benefactors from our own country and
abroad - driving it home that when in times of trouble, we have not been abandoned by our
fellow man. On the contrary, we have worked side by side and hand in hand to overcome the
hardships this tragedy has brought - struggling for a better future for the survivors and
striving for a better destiny for those who didn’t make it though.
Today, even though many of us may still harbour sorrow for loved ones we have
lost - I’d like to encourage you to mourn for these victims in the most constructive
way possible, by dedicating the merit of your good deeds for the benefit of those Thais and
overseas tourists who have passed on.