Statement by Ambassador U Ko Ko Shein at the 1st International Conference on Buddhist Culture and Civilization on 20 January 2018

Venerable Monks,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon.
May I begin by wishing you all the best of your mind and body in the New Year.

I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciations for your kind presence and also like to congratulate Myanmar Culture Centre in Moscow for their hard work and dedication to convene the International Conference on Buddhist Culture and Civilization.

This Conference is a first of its kind in Moscow and will give the good opportunity to participate and exchange views on the Buddhism in Russia and Buddhist Culture and Civilization by various Theravada Buddhist leaders and other respectable dignitaries.

The Sitagu International Buddhist Academy and Myanmar Culture Centre jointly organized the Conference for the first time ever in the Russia Federation.

The Conference is convened with the aim to promote friendship among the Russian Buddhists and strengthen their unity and cooperation between the Buddhist Associations in Russia which would promote the better understanding and coordination with Buddhists in Southeast Asia and Asia to enjoy their daily lives by practicing Buddhist teachings and practices for their well-being and happiness.

I wish to express my gratitude and admiration to two dedicated monks from the Myanmar Buddhist Centre for their tireless efforts to promote and propagate the Buddhism in Russia.

Their hard work and contribution shall not lose sight of the Government of the Union of Myanmar.

I would like to congratulate Sayadaw Ashin Acchariya and Ashin Nanda Marlarlankara for receiving their well-deserved Titles of Maha Thadahmmajortidaza and Thadahmmajortidaza for their endeavors to propagate and promulgate the Buddha’s teachings and practices in Moscow.

They will receive their titles on 1 March 2018 at the official ceremony organized by the Government of the Union of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw.

The world today is facing with numerous problems like war, terrorism, diseases, famine, climate change and insecurity to name a few.

If we can reduce or live without greed, anger and ignorance by avoiding bad deeds and promoting good deeds with good conscious according to the Buddha’s teaching and philosophy, I am sure that we can contribute towards the benefit of our daily socio-economic lives.

If we can maintain the four worldly values of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic join and equanimity, we shall be able to create a peaceful and secured world.

I do hope that this Conference will provide an opportunity to understand more on Buddhist philosophy and practices to attain peace of mind and body to the participants as well as the Russian Buddhists and other Buddhists around the world.

While I am having the floor, I wish to inform you that the “Eurasian Religious Summit” will be held in the near future with the able leadership and guidance of the venerable Sitagu Sayadaw Dr. Nyanissara.

I wish you every success in conducting the International Conference on Buddhist Culture and Civilization.

I am sure that we will be able to organize similar discussions and Conferences to promote Buddhist Culture and Civilization in the future.
May you all be blessed with health, happiness and peace of mind in your future endeavors.

I thank you.