Ven. DR. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayaka Thero addresses International Buddhist Confederation 2023 at New Delhi

On Nov 27, 2023

International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is the largest Buddhist Organization in the globe with 39 member countries and over 300 Buddhist Organizations. The Executive Committee, The Governing council and the General Assembly of the IBC is held in New Delhi, India on the 27th & 28th November 2023 with the participation of the Buddhist scholars and leaders from India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Cambodia, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea and 39 other countries in the world.

At the General Assembly Meeting, Most Ven. Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayaka Thero addresses the IBC.

”Maha Sangha and other distinguished guests who have gathered here today for the General Assembly of International Buddhist Confederation. IBC is a leading Buddhist organization in the world started in 2011 and has been functioning profoundly though there were certain drawbacks from time to time. IBC is very important because it was born and brought up in India the cradle for Buddhism. India is of course the museum of riligio-philosophical concepts.
We can remember that this was started as Global Buddhist Congregation. Many senior monks including Asgiri Malwathu Mahanayake Theros, ministers and even the speaker of Sri Lanka participated in the GBC in 2013. Dr. Damenda Porage who coordinated the Sri Lankan group to GBC is still working with in a very sincere manner. His devotion and commitment to the Buddha Sasana and the wellbeing of Maha Sangha is exemplary and appreciated by all the three nikyas in Sri Lanka.
At this moment we should sincerely remind Venerable Lama Lobzang founder of IBC too. And also, the Secretary General of IBC Ven Dr. Dhammapiya is a very good friend of us and I think the future Secretary General will too serve IBC just as him. In addition to that we can see a very efficient and outstanding Director General in IBC. So based on that we assume IBC can be a more efficacious in Buddhist world.
The world is facing numerous challenges. Among them, wars and extremists who try to create wars using many strategies in annexing and colonizing other countries have become the major challenge. Therefore, we should work towards the safety of world peace. The best solution and the guidance for world peace is Buddhism. Love, compassion and peace given by Buddhism bring happiness to the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader speaks highly about peace. We as Buddhist monks highly appreciate His Holiness’ mission in world peace. And it is undeniable that His Holiness can be accepted as the spiritual leader in the Buddhist World. Therefore, I would like to send make use of this opportunity to send my wishes to him for good health and long life.
Buddhism was secured by establishing stupas and patronizing the third Buddhist Council by Emperor Asoka. It is beyond doubt that he who reestablished Buddhism in India is Emporer Asoka. Based on those memories we are proud and happy to find Hon Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invaluable service to Buddha Sasana. He is a universal leader. A leader for the whole world. So, I would like to extend my heartiest gratitude to him at this moment.
Maha Sangha in the world have gathered around IBC to create a better world for the future generation. So I wish we all can work together to create that better world and I wish everyone good health and happiness.
May the Noble Triple Gem Bless you!”