Mekong-Ganga Declaration on Dhamma Century at Buddhabhoomi
On 27 November 2024, Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute, in collaboration with Indian and Thai partner organizations, such as Vivekananda International Foundation, India (VIF), International Center for Cultural Studies, India (ICCS), International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, Republic of India, Embassy of India in Thailand, State of Bihar, Republic of India, Thai Temple of Buddha Gaya, Republic of India, Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, Indian Studies Center of Ubon Ratchathani University, and Veraphuchong Foundation, organized a press conference for The 4th Dhammayatra to Buddhabhoomi : Mekong- Ganga Declaration on Dhamma Century, Republic of India, which will take the route of Patna-Buddha Gaya-New Delhi-Gujarat from 2-10 December 2024.
An important ceremony to take place on December 5, 2024, is the declaration of the “Declaration on Dhamma Century”, which is based on the vision of “Asian Century with Dhamma Principles” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India, who stated in 2015 that the “21st century” is the “Asian Century”, but it cannot be the “Asian Century” without “Buddhism” as the link between the countries.
The “Dhamma Century” is not only a time milestone, but also reflects the collective determination of all people to use the “principles of Dhamma” of religion as a guideline for life. It is a century in which humanity will look beyond geopolitical limitations, religious differences, cultural and traditional differences, and ethnic differences to come together to create a “new century of peace,” to create understanding and mutual respect, with the “principles of Dhamma” as the foundation to achieve “Dhamma-Victory or the Victory of Dhamma,” not through the use of violence.
The vision of the “Dhamma Century” is not limited to the “principles” of Buddhism, but refers to the principles of all religions that have emerged in the world, which all share common teachings in promoting goodness, for peace, and supporting dialogue to solve common crises of humanity in politics, security, the environment, and economic inequality, in order to lead the world in the new century towards reconciliation, peace, and common prosperity.
This cooperation between Thailand and the Republic of India is a cooperation in all dimensions, both in the public, private and public sectors, to declare the Century of Dharma, led by Dr. Supachai Verapuchong, Secretary-General of Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute, together with partner organizations from India and Thailand, including Buddhist scholars from the Mekong and Ganges regions, with the same destination, which is under the Bodhi tree at Bodhimandala, Bodhgaya, Republic of India on December 5, 2024.
The press conference for the 4th Dhammayatra Project today was graciously attended by Venerable Phrabrahmavajravimolmuni, Vi, member of the Supreme Sangha Council, the abbot of Bangkok, assistant abbot of Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsathi Ratchaworamahawihan, H.E. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand, and Dr. Supachai Verapuchong, Secretary-General of Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute
Venerable Phrabrahmavajravimolmuni, Vi member of the Supreme Sangha Council, the leader of the Bangkok Sangha, and assistant abbot of Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit Ratchaworamahawihan, said that since 234 B.E. when King Ashoka the Great sent a missionary group to spread Buddhism in 9 directions, the 8th route in the Mekong River basin, which we believe is the “Suvarnabhumi Land”, which includes Thailand, has allowed Buddhism to flourish until the present. Now that we have entered the middle of the Buddhist era, The 4th Dhammayatra to Buddhabhoomi : Mekong- Ganga Declaration on Dhamma Century, the Republic of India, is considered to be the return of Buddhist prosperity to the “homeland” to its former glory by declaring the “Declaration of the Century of Dhamma.” The “Dhamma Century” is not just a time milestone, but also reflects the collective determination to use the principles of Dharma as a guideline for living life to achieve “Dhamma Victory” or “Victory with Dhamma”, leading to peace for all humanity.
H.E. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has promoted the cooperation of the “Think Tank” of India and Thailand, Vivekadana International Foundation (VIF), and Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute to make “Buddhism” an important mechanism to connect people-to-people. The next goal is to push for “Dhammavijaya” or “Victory of Dhamma” to be accepted as an important agenda of the United Nations to remind member countries to be aware of the use of “Dhamma principles” to create peace for the world community. As for the embedding of the “Time Capsule” or “Declaration of the Century of Dhamma”, it will contain the “Declaration of the Century of Dhamma” to make the world community in the future aware of the success of the cooperation of our ancestors in the past who jointly declared the “Century of Dhamma” and to make the world community aware that the “Dhamma Century” originated from the cooperation between Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute and the Embassy of India in Thailand. The “Time Capsule” will be opened in 234 years, or 2801 BE.
H.E. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand, spoke about the importance of the Central and State Governments and more than 10 partner organizations in welcoming The 4th Dhammayatra to Buddhabhoomi : Mekong- Ganga Declaration on Dhamma Century, the Republic of India, because he saw that Buddhism, which originated in India, has brought the eternal teachings of the Lord Buddha about peace, non-violence, love and compassion. These teachings are accepted and respected by hundreds of millions of people around the world, including Thailand and India, which can be considered the strongest “tie of relationship” between the two countries.
Dr. Supachai Verapuchong, Secretary-General of Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute, mentioned the goal of organizing The 4th Dhammayatra to Buddhabhoomi : Mekong- Ganga Declaration on Dhamma Century, the Republic of India, that the goal is to make Thailand a “connecting point” for the cooperation of religious organizations around the world, all nations, all religions, which can be developed into a “Dhamma Century”. “Dhamma” here does not only mean the principles of Buddhism, but also means the principles of the teachings of all religions around the world, which have teachings as “principles of Dhamma” together to promote peace and solve the crisis together of humanity. The 4th Dhammayatra Project would not have been successful without the cooperation of partner organizations from India and Thailand.
The symbol of the important historical event of the 4th Dhammayatra project, in addition to the declaration of the “Dhamma Century”, there is also the burial of a Time Capsule or “Capsule of Time” to preserve important historical evidence that Thailand and the Republic of India have made a declaration of cooperation to be a record of world history and placed underground at the Buddhist site of the enlightenment of the Lord Buddha so that people in the future will be aware of important events in the 21st century. The burial of the “Time Capsule” will be opened in 234 years because the year 234 B.E. is the year that King Ashoka the Great sent a group of monks to spread Buddhism to 9 different lands. Moreover, the numbers of the year 234 add up to the number 9, which corresponds to “King Rama IX”, the Supreme Patriarch of the Kingdom of Thailand. The “Capsule of Time” is therefore evidence confirming the importance of the principles of Buddhism to all mankind forever.
Another important ceremony is the paying homage and reading of the “Declaration on the Dharma Century” by Dr. Supachai Verapuchong, Secretary-General of the Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute under the Bodhi Tree and the Mahabodhi Pagoda of Buddha Gaya, including paying homage and commemorating the 97th birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, Rama IX, and honoring His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 6th cycle birthday anniversary on July 28, 2024.
What is expected from The 4th Dhammayatra to Buddhabhoomi : Mekong- Ganga Declaration on Dhamma Century, the Republic of India, is that Thailand will be a “connecting point” for cooperation among religious organizations around the world of all nations and religions, and can be developed into a “Dhamma Century by using the principles of Dhamma and beliefs according to the principles of Dhamma of all religions as an important mechanism for linking cooperation in promoting the principles of “humanity” of the world community to create peace for all mankind.
Written by: Patcha Nilangso
