The 18th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration was held in the Kingdom of Thailand on 1 and 2 June 2023. The very colorful and magnificent opening ceremony took place at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya in Thailand. His Holiness Ariyavongsagatanana, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, declared open the ceremony with the blessings of Buddhist leaders from every corner of the globe, from Sri Lanka, China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Japan, and many other countries.

The keynote speech was delivered by Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on „Buddhist Wisdom Coping with Global Crises.“ There were 3 panel discussions dealing with World Peace, Climate Change, Social Development after Covid-19, etc.

On the second day, the event was held at the United Nations Regional Centre in Bangkok with the participation of political leaders, diplomats, Buddhist leaders, members of civil society, and the large public. The Frankfurt Buddhist Academy participated in the two day’s event with its delegation of 38 members, led by Ven. Dr. Tampalawela Dhammaratana, President of the Frankfurt Buddhist Academy and also Vice-President of the International Council of the United Nations Day of Vesak.

Ven. Dr. Dhammaratana played an important role as Moderator of two important sessions at Mahachula University and United Nations Conference Centre in Thailand. In addition to that, on behalf of the Frankfurt Buddhist Academy and Germany, Mme. Ding Nan, Vice-President of the Academy, presented a goodwill message at the conference. Master Zhang Bu Sheng, Vice-President of the Frankfurt Buddhist Academy, also participated in the Vesak Celebration and was involved in Buddhist cultural and academic exchanges with international Buddhist leaders.

In appreciation of the promotion of Buddhism in the Kingdom of Thailand and the rest of the world, the delegation of the Frankfurt Buddhist Academy presented to the representative of His Majesty the King of Thailand a Bodhisattva Statue of great antiquity and a Vajra. After the successful completion of the 18th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration, the delegation of the Frankfurt Buddhist Academy began its culture tour for about 7 days in the historical Buddhist Kingdom of Thailand. The delegation visited Ayutthaya, Chieng Rai, Chieng Mai, and many other important sacred Buddhist sites. This tour has become an unforgettable event for all participants on the occasion of the 18th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration this year.