The Venerable Dr. KUYSE ENSHIJOH, Chairman of the 3rd World Buddhist Summit! The Venerable Preh Sanghareach, Samdech, and Buddhist Monks; The Honorable Delegates! Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
It is my great pleasure today to participate in this 3rd World Buddhist Conference, and to join The Venerable Dr. KUYSE ENSHIJOH and the Japanese, Cambodian and all other Buddhist Monks and followers who have come here to Phnom Penh, the Capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and sincere appreciation to all of you, the Japanese, Cambodian and other international Buddhist Monks and followers, who have worked very hard to organize this Summit. You have focused upon and discussed profound topics of great importance and benefit for the growing unity and solidarity among the Buddhist followers. Your work encourages a broader range of ideas and deepened wisdom that will help all of us, together, to resolve, reduce and even eliminate all sinful acts and violence in society. Together, we can realize true peace and harmony, both physically and spiritually, and shared progress for all human beings as prescribed in sacred Buddhist philosophy.
The achievements of this Third Summit reflects the unified efforts of all Buddhist followers over the world in their cooperation to support and promote Buddhism for the cause of peaceful, stable and harmonious coexistence of all peoples. This Summit bears witness to the value and spirit of friendship among all Buddhist followers of different sects and countries. Thus we have built a “Bridge of Profound Friendship and Solidarity” following the good practice of Buddhism. Such practice further strengthens the Buddhist culture inherited from far our forefathers. Our Buddhist “Bridge of Profound Friendship and Solidarity” will bring us to a wonderful goal which is desired by all – the disappearance of violence, abuse and envy and all other harmful and unlawful activities. We will be helped toward a great, harmonious family enlightened by Buddhist Wisdom.
In this regard, the 3rd World Buddhist Summit has produced great results by calling upon all people from all walks of life and of different political persuasions to see the danger and risks of being under the influence and control of extreme ambition, anger and greed. Indeed, these weaknesses should be avoided, and we must follow the practice of non-violence, non-vengeance and the love for peace and harmony among people and nature as called for in Buddhist teachings. In this sense, Buddhism has played an important role in the “culture of peace” that our Cambodian people highly value – including the building up and strengthening toward a moral way of life of our Cambodian society.
During the past three days, the Summit has shared great sympathy for all Cambodians who have suffered much tragedy due to genocide and civil war prolonged for several decades. I thank the Summit for rendering an appropriate evaluation and congratulations for the renaissance of Cambodia through committed efforts to rehabilitate and develop the country over the past 20 years and achieving full national reconciliation and peace. Now, peace and national unity, political stability and solidarity, the art of compromise and mutual understanding have taken root and become the culture, norm and fundamental practice within the political system of Cambodia. With resolution and commitment, the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the bright and wise leadership of His Majesty the King of Cambodia, Samdech Preh Bat Norodom Sihanouk, strives hard, performs and works in order to bring Cambodia to progress, prosperity and sustainable development.
Based on Cambodian experience and circumstances, the Summit has unanimously agreed to issue a joint declaration addressed not only to all Buddhist fellows but to all people of all political tendencies to adhere to the principles of kindness, forgiveness, patience and generosity as adopted by Buddha. In behalf of the Royal Government, I strongly support and highly value of this wise and responsible call.
I wish to take this wonderful opportunity to reiterate my thanks to the Japanese Buddhist fellows of the Nenbutsushu Sect who have contributed their considerable efforts and resources to organize this 3rd World Buddhist Summit. This is a valuable contribution to Cambodia, for this Summit is a historical event for the Buddhism in Cambodia, given the declaration of Buddhism as the State Religion of Cambodia since 7 January 1979 and its flourishing today.
May I express my sincere appreciation and congratulations to The Venerable Dr. Kuyse Enshijoh, Preh Sanghareach of the two Sects, H.E. Kong Sam Ol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Royal Palace and the staff for organizing this successful 3rd World Buddhist Summit.
I hope that the achievements of the World Buddhist Summit remain permanently at our hearts and that this gathering becomes a symbol of the unity among Buddhist fellows across the world who take the path of Dharma followed by our Buddha for the cause of peace and progress of all peoples. In closing, allow me to wish you all, the five gems of Buddhist blessings. I declare, with pride, the closing of the 3rd World Buddhist Summit.
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