General conference

At this conference, it may be added that Dharmacakra had been accepted universally as the common seal of Buddhism by all the Buddhists of the world.  Remarkably, it was also informed at the conference that UNESCO had recognized WFB as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), having Category B Consultative Status with the Agency.  Moreover, the WFB as the parent organization, had held an inauguration ceremony of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (W.F.B.Y.) which was marked to be born in Sri Lanka and the 1st Buddhist Youth Conference was also convened.  From then on the W.F.B.Y. is an organization of youth wing under the WFB’s auspices.

Noticeable feature of this conference was the resolution to have the permanent headquarters of the WFB in Thailand adopted at the General Council on 4 November B.E. 2509 (1966) that permanent headquarters of the WFB be located in Thailand for the more efficient working of the World Fellowship of Buddhists and the greater control and safety of its assets and records.

This was the first time that the WFB General Conference had a theme and this practice was followed by all of the WFB General Conferences from that time on.  At this conference a Committee on Youth was added to the General Conference which made the WFB germinate the establishment of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (W.F.B.Y.) as a permanent auxiliary institution to the W.F.B.

Sarnath, Varanasi in India was chosen as the venue of the conference because it is where Śākyamuni delivered his first sermon which came to be known as the turning of the Wheel of the Law, the Dharmacakra.  It was also as tribute to the Centenary of the birth of the late Venerable Anāgārika Dharmapāla who was the pioneer of the Buddhist revival in India and the first Buddhist missionary to visit Europe and America that spread Buddhism beyond Asia.

The Conference decided to add about being a Regional Centre of the WFB, geographic or political boundaries should not be an obstacle to recognize more than one organization in the same area if the applying organization represents a clearly defined group of Buddhists.  Moreover, the Constitution was revised to extend the term of its officers to 4 years as well as increasing number of Vice Presidents to 12 elected at the WFB General Conference.  The need for organizing a Buddhist Youth Organization was also re-emphasized for international exchange program among Buddhist Youth of WFB’s member countries.

Decision worth mentioning was made at this conference was that in order to strengthening the President’s authority, who would be assisted by 11 Vice Presidents, Ex-Presidents would automatically become Honorary Presidents on relinquishing their positions.  The conference also called for the promotion of new methods and the improvement of existing standards of teaching of Buddhism in all Buddhist countries at all educational level, especially concerning children.

The conference was held in the same year of Buddha Jayantī, the commemoration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha Parinirvāņa.  Moreover, there was one more committee, Culture and Art, added to the 5 previous committees being set up since the 1st General Conference of the WFB.  Totally there were 6 committees.

The conference was held with the host country’s intention that the WFB conference should be an historic gathering of international Buddhist leaders and representatives of Buddhist organizations and communities with a view to revealing Buddhism to humankind and demonstrating the Buddhist Way of Life to distracted and threatened world.  There were 215 delegates and over 500 observers representing 28 countries excluding Burma attended.  Noteworthy resolutions should be mentioned was pilgrimage to Four Buddhist sacred sites to remind Teachings of the Buddha should be formed namely Lumbinī, Kusinārā, Bodh Gayā and Sarnath.

The conference was held in the same year which Japan had commemorated the 1400th anniversary of the introduction of Buddhism into Japan.  Main discussion of the conference were on World Peace and promote welfare of mankind since all participants were fully aware of the horrors of war, particularly a nuclear holocaust resulted from the World War II.  Moreover, it was agreed with the policy that office bearers should hold their post for a term of four years with the possibility of re-election.

The First Conference was held at the Holy Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka on 25 May which is the Buddhist Vesak Day to make the event worldwide importance.  There were 129 delegates representing 29 countries excluding those from Sri Lanka, the host country gathering at the conference.