Theme: “Addressing the Critical Challenges of our Time: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity, and Universal Values”
Dates: November 30 – December 3, 2018
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

“ Namotassa Bhagavato Arahato Summa

Sammasam Buddhassa”

With my profound devotion to our lord Buddha and deep

respect to the Government of Nepal, the organization

committee of Universal Peace Federation, most venerable,

your excellences, distinguished guests, ladies and

gentlemen.

As we are gathering here today to make our collective commitment on “interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values,” I would humbly express my heartfelt thanks to former minister Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal and Mr. Piya for your kind invitation for me to attend this important summit as a representative of Buddhist Community in Myanmar. As a devout believer in one of universal values–peace–please allow me to pray peace be reigned in our lives and invite you to cherish this together. Peace be with you all!

Here, I like to remind you again that we must not only cherish peace but also practice it in our own minds and

actions.

In the face of violence, we shall praise peace.

In the sea of hatred, we shall heal with love.

In the days of darkness, we shall stay the course.

In the culture of oppression, we shall nurture freedom.

In the heap of despair, we shall keep hope.

In the breach of cruelty, we shall preach compassion.In the time of discrimination, we shall bind our values together for mutual prosperity!

The 21st century confronts a historical dilemma: while people become more and more interdependent on each other and their spiritual and religious ties are fading every day. While advanced technology and economies are thriving on social networks, people found their own spiritual and inner gaps. While the world becomes smaller with new technology, modern transport and artificial intelligence, the countries everywhere is struggling with old divisions, primordial conflicts and wicked minds. Under these dark clouds, our religious systems are facing the oughest challenge of our time: crisis of interdependence, mutuality and universality.

The tendency to perceive “us” against “them” overwhelms our world view and it forms the root of all modern day’s conflicts and violence. Today, our universal values are diminishing and in that vacuum, one-sided views, be it religious, political or social, are vying for supremacy. In the quest for perfectionist world where diversity is seen as enemy, we create an environment of confrontation.

Communities and citizens become hostage to self-centered politicians and selfish leaders while the countries spiral down under the ambitions of an elite minority. Against all these odds, I would like to offer some of the essential wisdom Buddhist teaching for your thoughts:

“Nahi Verena Verani,” our Lord Buddha delivered this

message. “Violences are ceased only by non-violence; violence never prevail violence and hatred never ceased through hatred throughout this world.”

In order to deal with this crisis of our time, the first and the foremost requirement is mutual respect across all societies, communities and nations. Only through mutual respect, we can build a common ground for dialogue and open doors for solutions for all the ills of our ignorance and

confrontation.

In my country, Myanmar, we face many challenges of local and global concerns as all you know. Even though our leaders, the President and the State Counsellor, are trying to solve the crisis; I can say that we can only

overcome this by cooperating and collaborating with religious leaders, community leaders and international leaders who are all gathering here. Back in Myanmar, I am teaching this to our younger generations, particularly through university campuses and student unions, so that I can prepare them to be respectful of diversity and

difference in reconstructing their new future.

I truly believe that this Asia-pacific summit 2018 will bring effective resolution to promote universal values in our own societies to leave a better world for generations to come. For all of us are becoming one, to walk the path of peace together, let’s sing peace and harmony together.

By,

Ven. Sobhita (IBEC Sayardaw)

Principal of IBEC-Myanmar; Pro-rector of Sitagu

Buddhist University, Kyun Hla, Upper Myanmar; the

Founder of IBEC, Netherlands;

Peace Ambassador of HWPL, South Korea

in 2015; and Recipient of Stockholm World

Peace Prize-2018.