The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand organized a special talk in commemoration of the 96th anniversary of the birth of Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana

On June 23, 2023, the Deputy Prime Minister and External subjects minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Pramudwinai, welcomed members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations to Phra Dhammaphacharayanamuni’s (Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro) Special Talk in Commemoration of the 96th Birth Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, on Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, at Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

The event was also warmly attended by representatives of government agencies, the private sector, as well as Thai and foreign media and officials from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Supreme Patriarch was kind enough to give the Ministry and the attendees a message of reflection on time and peace especially for this occasion. The message was read by Phra Dhammaphacharayanamuni. The special talk was delivered in English and provided an understanding of the Buddha’s teachings and the Buddhist monastic way of life, as shown in the more than 70 years of monastic life of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch.

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The teachings on the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, mindfulness, and wisdom were expounded in a way that was understandable to non-Buddhist audiences. Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro emphasized Buddhism as an educational system to learn and practice.

In addition, the Ministry has organized a special exhibition in honor of Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, on the occasion of his 96th birthday, showing the biography and activities of his holiness, especially in the propagation of Buddhism, as he was the first group of Dhammaduta and was assigned as the Dhammaduta pioneer team and went to Australia in 1973, where he stayed for several years.

Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro emphasized Buddhism as an educational system for learning and practicing

The exhibition also featured His Holiness’s projects and activities to conserve nature and the environment and promote sustainable development, as well as some of His Holiness’s messages on Buddhism and peace delivered on various occasions.

To commemorate the 96th anniversary of the birth of the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Thai embassies and consulates general, along with Thai communities around the world, organized Buddhist ceremonies and various kinds of activities to celebrate this happy occasion.