General Conference
31st General Conference
Date:
5-6 December B.E. 2568 (2025)
Venue:
Vajiravudh College, Bangkok.
Theme:
Cultivating Wisdom and Well-being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Buddhist Vision for the Future.
Bangkok, Thailand – The World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) successfully concluded its 31st General Conference, held concurrently with the celebration of its 75th Anniversary of establishment, from December 5–6, 2025, at Vajiravudh College, Bangkok.
The opening ceremony was graciously presided over by Somdet Phra Maha Thirachan (Chief of the Northern Ecclesiastical Region and Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram), the representative of the Supreme Patriarch, on the monastic side. Mr. Prasop Riengngen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, honored the event as the representative of the Prime Minister, presiding over the lay side and reading the Royal Address from His Majesty the King.
Due to the significant impact of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on modern life, the conference set its key theme as: “Cultivating Wisdom and Well-being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Buddhist Vision for the Future.”
This significant event was held alongside the 22nd General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY), with the unified participation of 300 delegates from WFB Regional Centres worldwide, covering diverse Buddhist traditions, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
Distinguished speakers, including Prof. Dr. Phra Methee Watcharapundit, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Sompong Kunakaro, Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rev. Park Kwang Soo, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Minseok Kim, and Dr. Natnapang Phopichitr, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Konit Sritong, shared knowledge and concepts on applying Buddhist principles in the AI era to promote mental well-being in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.
The conference also featured the election of new Executive Committees for both the WFB and WFBY, who will be responsible for setting the direction and overseeing the organizations for the next two years. Furthermore, the WFB Transformation Project was officially launched. This initiative aims to modernize working systems, strengthen regional and international cooperation, and enhance the organization’s capacity to address contemporary global challenges.
The conference received excellent cooperation from several key sectors in Thailand, including the Department of Religious Affairs, Vajiravudh College (the venue), the Royal Thai Navy, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram (Wat Pho), and Wat Arun Ratchawararam, as well as the WFB Regional Centres in Thailand.
With its new leadership and forward-looking vision, the World Fellowship of Buddhists is ready to confidently step into the next era, committed to promoting unity, understanding, and the dissemination of the Dharma globally.
The opening ceremony was graciously presided over by Somdet Phra Maha Thirachan (Chief of the Northern Ecclesiastical Region and Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram), the representative of the Supreme Patriarch, on the monastic side. Mr. Prasop Riengngen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, honored the event as the representative of the Prime Minister, presiding over the lay side and reading the Royal Address from His Majesty the King.
Due to the significant impact of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on modern life, the conference set its key theme as: “Cultivating Wisdom and Well-being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Buddhist Vision for the Future.”
This significant event was held alongside the 22nd General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY), with the unified participation of 300 delegates from WFB Regional Centres worldwide, covering diverse Buddhist traditions, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
Distinguished speakers, including Prof. Dr. Phra Methee Watcharapundit, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Sompong Kunakaro, Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rev. Park Kwang Soo, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Minseok Kim, and Dr. Natnapang Phopichitr, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Konit Sritong, shared knowledge and concepts on applying Buddhist principles in the AI era to promote mental well-being in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.
The conference also featured the election of new Executive Committees for both the WFB and WFBY, who will be responsible for setting the direction and overseeing the organizations for the next two years. Furthermore, the WFB Transformation Project was officially launched. This initiative aims to modernize working systems, strengthen regional and international cooperation, and enhance the organization’s capacity to address contemporary global challenges.
The conference received excellent cooperation from several key sectors in Thailand, including the Department of Religious Affairs, Vajiravudh College (the venue), the Royal Thai Navy, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram (Wat Pho), and Wat Arun Ratchawararam, as well as the WFB Regional Centres in Thailand.
With its new leadership and forward-looking vision, the World Fellowship of Buddhists is ready to confidently step into the next era, committed to promoting unity, understanding, and the dissemination of the Dharma globally.
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