General conference

H.E. Phan Wannamethee was elected as new WFB President. At the conference, the World Buddhist University (WBU) has been established in accordance with its Charter approved by the Conference on 1 November B.E. 2541 (1998) as an international community of Buddhist scholars and institutions engaged in research, training, spiritual practice and educational development based on Buddhism.  It will serve as a coordinating centre for academic affairs with all the Buddhist institutions and scholars through a networking system.  Its inauguration will be officially held in B.E. 2543 (2000) in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the WFB.

The WFB confirmed at this conference that we will continue to co-operate with other religious and humanitarian national and international organizations to alleviate both physical and mental suffering now and in the future.  As relations among us grow closer, our improved rapport and responsiveness will generate harmony and peace among Buddhists and thereby loving-kindness and compassion toward all living beings.

At the conference, the WFB confirm on its standpoints that Buddhism offers a practical way for all of us to lead wholesome lives and redeem humanity from the ills of the world: violence, social unrest, illicit drugs, scourge of AIDS, child abuse and degradation of environment.  We confidently pledge to continually cooperate with other religious, social and cultural organizations and movements which are committed to the fostering of greater understanding, peace and harmony of all humankind.  In addition, the WFB pledge to work earnestly to contribute to international efforts to engender a greater environmental awareness on our planet and encourage appropriate steps to solve the problems.

The conference was also held to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the WFB.  The meeting also commemorated the Anniversary with the publication of the 40th Anniversary Volume and convening two impressive Pancasila Ceremonies at stadiums in Pusan AND Seoul. It was the first time in the history of the WFB that the host in Korea invited over 500 participants from 26 different countries to get together in the spirit of friendship and joy in the Buddha-Dharma.

This was the first time in 38 years that WFB General Conference held outside of Asia.  Regarding to the WFB application, the General Council (composed of the Heads of the delegations) informed that before an application was considered by EXCO, the Vice Presidents in the particular areas concerned were asked to review the application and subsequently submit their reports to the Executive Council Members.  The Vice Presidents undertook these investigations on their own account without reimbursement on the part of the WFB.

The conference was coincided held with the United Nations International Year of Peace.  The WFB under the leadership of the WFB President, Prof. Sanya Dharmasakti, was active in promoting positive relations with UNESCO and the UN in various projects working for peace and harmony among humankind.

At the conference, a new Standing Committee on Socioeconomic Development was established.   The WFB also stressed that among major religious traditions of the world, Buddhism remains unique in that it does not attempt to eliminate plurality and diversity through a process of unification; we affirm to work for peace and tranquility through peaceful means with the ultimate aim of achieving a peaceful community, by the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons and the arms race.

The conference was also held to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the WFB.  H.S.H. Princess Poon Pismai Diskul, who was re-elected for another 4 years, also marked with appreciation that the WFB Headquarters had been stationed in Thailand for 17 years with the generous support of the successive Royal Thai Governments had made the WFB work spread worldwide.  At the initial period, we had only 29 Regional Centres and at the time of the conference we had no less than 78 of them in 34 countries on all continents of the world.

At this conference practicing of having Declaration at the end of each WFB General Conference was followed from this Conference onwards.  Since many resolutions were remained unimplemented, no resolutions with that were of (1) political nature, (2) have difficulties of implementation, and (3) no providing funds to implement to the submitted project; could be proposed to the General Conference.

The conference was to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the WFB. Princess Poon, the WFB President mentioned of the significant fact on the recognition given by the United Nations (UN) which was glad to cooperate with religions for the sake of peace desired by all.  The letter of this recognition was given to the WFB President on 25 October B.E. 2518 (1975) at the UN Headquarters in New York.