The Role of Buddhism in Society : หน้า 8/30

"Digested from speech of Pramạhā Boonthavy Vilaichakr Buddhism and Society "Buddhism occurred 2500 years ago in India. Since then it has contributed a lot to the human civilization of both materiality and spirituality. Besides this, Buddhist teachings help guide people to avoid doing bad, to purify the mind, to cultivate good deeds, lead the way of living to peaceful coexistence in the society. In this way, Buddhism is contributed to world peace, and the civilization to the world. The word "civilization" here is defined as the advancement of tradition and culture. Buddhist teaching supports the spiritual development towards the highest goal, the Nibbana and a broader propagation of Buddhism originating from India to the world. Buddhism is emphasized on intellectual creativity contributing to the world civilization in various fields namely: Buddhism helps develop the society. It teaches people to be self-mastery, self-refuge, living righteously and diligently, saving the gains earned, associating with good friends and moderately and sufficient living. Buddhism brings happiness to the world, supports the practice of non-violence which is conducive to world peace." Digested from speech of Ven. Nicholas Thanissaro Dhammakaya Foundation We are One: The Great Dhamma Discovery "The word "We are one" which is being used for this conference heading put me in mind of the lord Buddha's teaching in the Bali language which is "Sukha Sangha Samakki" which means “unity bring in happiness”. And I would like to add that even in the modern day that this same ancient teaching has been brought up to date especially in the context of the Buddhist channel which is broadcast on satellite which is known as DMC in which is one of the major programmers and the most venerable Prarachapawanavisuth, the abbot of the Dhamakaya temple is re-literated that the son of the Buddha should be unified just as there is only one sun in the sky. And given that in the difference Buddhist denominations, sometimes we have different ways of practicing. Perhaps we should look to the parts of practice which we do have in common. One thing which is common to all — 3 of the Buddhist schools is the suttantapitaka or the suta of the lord Buddha and if we are able to go back to studying these teaching then we will perhaps be able to move in the same direction in our practice so that perhaps through our practice we can bring back the same prosperity of Buddhism as was known during the time that the lord Buddha himself was alive. But I think more important than that is to discuss with your fellow monks and your fellow Buddists how best we can work together in order that our Buddhist community can become one, can become unified and how we can go back to rediscovering the great discovery which the lord Buddha meet on the day of his enlightenment. Really the treasure of Buddhism are already there in the original teaching but sometimes we seem to have lost this somewhere along the path so in order to get back to those original teaching we do need to help one another."