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by Professor Buddhadasa Hewavitharana, Coordinator of the Conference Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Peradeniya.

This Buddhasasana Ministry sponsored international conference will be ceremonially inaugurated in the morning half of today at the Central Bank Auditorium, Rajagiriya, under the patronage of the Maha Nayaka Theras, presided over by the Prime Minister and with the participation of the Minister for Buddhasasana.

A core group of seven countries, classified as Theravada countries, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bhutan (so included for good reasons) will send delegates. Out of the Observer-Status countries invited to represent their respective Mahayana, Buddhist traditions or minority Buddhist communities, Bangladesh, Peoples Republic of China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Nepal, have responded by sending observer-representatives. The sessions will be held at Galadari Hotel beginning this afternoon and ending on 19th January, 2003. This article attempts to conceptualize this conference.

What the conference is about in a nutshell: The theme of the Conference itself, "Buddhasasana in Theravada Countries: Issues and the Way Forward", readily conveys an idea of the methodology to be used and the basic processes that underpin the conference. The methodology consists of two exercises which are linked with each other. The first is to review and to assess the present situation as regards certain vital issues in Buddhasasana affairs in the different countries. Based on such review and assessment, the second exercise will be to think about what should and could be done to strike a Way Forward for the Buddhasasana by means of correcting or improving the situation.

This in a nutshell is the "Vision and Mission" of this Conference. Heritage of bilateral cooperation for promotion of Buddhasasana: Two hundred and fifty years ago our ancestors in Sri Lanka were faced with a serious problem. Ravages caused by four centuries of foreign domination and internecine warfare had brought about a decadence of Buddhasasana in this country and an extinction of the act of Upasampada, the higher ordination of monks.

With the assistance of the Royal Kingdom of Siam, higher ordination was re-instituted and there followed a revival of the Buddhasasana and a cultural renaissance. It is this historical event of bilateral assistance, a veritable turning point in the history of Buddhasasana, in this country that is being commemorated today in a fitting manner through a series of activities of which, this conference is one. Much earlier than that, during the period thirteenth to fifteenth centuries, according to researches that have been carried out, when Siam herself was faced with problems regarding Buddhasasana, it was Sri Lanka that provided assistance to her to save the situation.

Thus it was a process of bilateral giving and receiving of assistance for the promotion of Buddhasasana that had gone on through a few centuries. With other countries too, Sri Lanka has had bilateral dealings for the promotion of Buddhasasana. Thus in the mid-nineteenth century, assistance for instituting higher ordination in other parts of Sri Lanka was obtained from the Kingdom of Suwannabhoomi or Ramannadesha, corresponding to the present Myanmar, and also from the city of Amarapura in the same country. Such bilateral cooperation continues to take place among some of the Buddhist nations and communities up to present day, taking various forms, however, according to specific needs and opportunities.

It is time now to add multilaterlism on top of bilaterism: Indeed, we are looking at a rich heritage of bilateral cooperation in Buddhasasana affairs for which our nations can be given full credit. Having thus taken stock of this heritage, we may turn our minds to the present day problems that need to be dealt with in order to forge a Way Forward for Buddhasasana in our countries.

Today, Buddhasasana faces a great diversity of problems and challenges, all with high degrees of complexity. Over the past six or seven decades, the winds of change that blew across the world, beginning with political changes and turmoil of various types and continued in more recent times with global economic and social changes, have placed at great peril Buddhist values and the institutions based on or supportive of such values. The unprecedented scale on which the erosion of Buddhist values and the disintegration of the related institutions as is taking place now under these pressures cannot be tolerated or ignored any more by the Buddhist world.

These problems are so complex and so organically interconnected on an international scale that they are beyond the capacity of bilateral action alone for effectively dealing with. They need to be tackled by the Buddhist nations acting in concert within a framework of multilateral cooperation.

Being an economist, I might be excused for pointing to a parallel from the economics of international trade. From the post-war period onwards many nations attempted to solve their trade and investment problems by entering into bilateral trade and aid agreements. In the course of time these problems increased in complexity due to an unprecedented internationalization of capital investment and technology transfer.

Seeing that bilateral cooperation alone cannot cope with such complexities, the nations shifted to multi-lateralism and started forming trade blocs or regional trade arrangements based on multilateral cooperation. The lesson here is that as the complexity of the problems increased, so did the necessity for evolving complex institutional arrangements to meet those problems.

Evolve a two-tier arrangement: The analogy has to end here because for meeting Buddhasasana problems it is not a shift away from bilateral cooperation that is warranted but a two-tier arrangement of the following order. Bilateral cooperation should continue to be fostered and nurtured because there is observable asymmetry among Buddhist nations when it comes to some aspects of Buddhasasana such as practice of meditation techniques, application of Buddhist values in daily life, Buddhist education, Sangha-laity relationship and the like.

Thus there is much that can be given and be taken through lessons, example or assistance between nations on the basis of bilateral cooperation. Using such relationships as the base, however, it should be possible to build up a second tier comprised of multilateral cooperation/collaboration. The two tiers can then flourish together in a synergistic or mutually reinforcing relationship. Such would be feasible, if areas suitable for multilateral action are carefully identified and prioritized through a consensus of the nations concerned. This scenario of building up multilateral action based on the heritage of bilateral cooperation is a pointer to the "Way Forward" that this Conference could possibly set its sights on.

Conduct discussions around issues in the manner of a study seminar: The present situation that Buddhasasana is placed in, in the different countries should be treated as a problem situation and focus should be shed on the Issues springing up from that problem situation. These Issues should then be subjected to a thorough and careful study. It is this approach that is adopted for this Conference and the instrument for giving effect to it is the Country Paper that is prepared by each Theravada country. A Country Paper deals with a well-structured set of issues and sub-issues directly relating to the overall theme of the Conference. Each Country Paper would place before the participating brother nations a review of what that country has experienced in regard to the different Issues.

Issues in Buddhasasana affairs arise from the four primary objectives of (a) Promoting Buddhasasana, (b) Protecting Buddhasasana, (c) Propagating the Dhamma and (d) Promoting the Application of Buddhist Values in Daily Life.

Arising from the objective of Promoting Buddhasasana are the issues (with their sub-issues) of (a) facilitating the four constituent groups (Catuparisa) to pursue the path of Vimutti, (b) Bikkhu education and training of Samaneras (novices), (c) relationships between the Sangha and laity (sustenance of the Sangha and maintenance of the temples).

Relating to the objective of Protecting the Buddhasasana are the issues (with their sub-issues) of - (a) unethical conversion of Buddhists and (b) schisms, misinterpretations, distortions and disinformation.

With reference to the Propagation of Dhamma are the issues (with their sub-issues) concerning (a)Dhamma education, (b) pre-school education with a Buddhist approach (as a special case), (c) international propagation of the Dhamma.

When it comes to promoting the Application of Buddhist values in Daily Life, there are several issues (which get split into sub-issues) concerning (a) promotion of right livelihood and abstention from harmful practices, (b) the role and functions of the State as facilitator of all four primary objectives, and (c) the role and functions of the civil society as facilitator/promoter of all four primary objectives.

Looking at the issues above it is evident that a well-structured discussion around them cannot be accomplished in a run-of-the-mill type of conference. Clearly, it requires a systematic analysis, and to the extent possible, an objective interpretation of the relevant facts. This sort of thing can be done only in the manner of a study seminar or a workshop.

Hence it is best to treat these sessions as those of a study seminar for all intents and purposes. During these sessions each country will set out its experiences regarding as many issues and sub-issues as is possible with the sincere and the noble purpose of sharing them with the brother nations. It will trigger off a process of learning from each other through which ideas would begin to get crystallized around effective ways and means of pursuing the four primary objectives of Buddhasasana.

For maximum, try the ideal: as minimum, place issues on agenda for future fora: However, we should not be that much optimistic as to expect that our work during the sessions will go precisely on the same lines and produce the same output as idealized above. There are many constraints on us. For one thing, this is the first time that an exercise of this sort addressing issues in Buddhasasana is attempted on an international scale by the Buddhist nations. There are bound to be inadequacies and shortfalls in seminar studies, which, however, can get reduced as we go on into the future through the learning process that would begin now.

Advisedly, it would be more realistic to regard these sessions as a beginning, if only a small beginning, for placing these issues in open-ended agendas before the international Buddhist community to be taken up for discussion and dialogue, possibly with greater intensity and more systematically, at future fora such as conferences, seminars and the like.

Share experiences to create mutual understanding: Through the instrumentality of Country Papers there will be a sharing of experiences, be it successes or failures and weaknesses or strengths. Such sharing of experiences in regard to the problem situation is the best way to bring about a mutual understanding and a spirit of camaraderie among the Buddhist nations. As the weaknesses or failures get exposed, that can lead to thinking about corrective action by borrowing ideas from the more successful experiences.

On the other hand, as successes or strengths get known it can lead to a designing of further improvements by building upon them. This is how a review and assessment of the problem situation can lead to a forging of the Way Forward.

Activate the participatory principle to forge a way forward: The very presentation of ones experiences and having them discussed by a wide group would instil in the countries concerned a sense of participation in a joint effort to meet common problems. The participatory principle should be adhered to not just in appearance but in a very practical manner.

One special matter that needs to be noted is that among the participating nations are two countries, Laos and Cambodia where Buddhasasana can be said to be in need of special attention from the other Buddhist nations for its further development. The governments and the intelligent peoples of these countries are indeed making efforts to effect improvements with much determination. All the Buddhist nations and communities in the region should participate in helping these countries to reach the goals which they are trying to achieve with so much indomitable courage.

Strengthen mainstream Buddhist activities in Asia: One may be excused for shedding a little more focus on these two countries because there is a justification for it. It is well to remember that these countries had been left out of the mainstream international Buddhist activities in the past and also did not receive much succour from the Buddhist world at large.

It is glad tidings to all of us that such marginalization is now ending. The signs indicative of this are the Buddhist Summits and the international Buddhist conferences held in Cambodia and in Malaysia recently. There is a growing tradition of international participation.

The need of the hour is to help them as well as the minority Buddhist communities represented at this Conference through positive and proactive measures, to enter the mainstream Buddhist activities in Asia. This too is a pointer to the Way Forward.

The seven cornerstones for mutual understanding among the Buddhist nations: Apart from the Country Papers, a significant component of the Conference is a very carefully designed set of seven Resource Papers. The topics selected bear a sharp and direct focus on certain vital concerns of Buddhasasana that cut across the Asian region and will directly relate to certain felt-needs in that region.

As such, dialogue and action on these topics may well serve as the "cornerstones," for the present for building up a spirit of unitedness in purposes and a consensus on remedial action among the Buddhist nations. These topics will be handled by authorities on the subjects drawn from different countries.

* "An Overview of the Revival of Buddhasasana in the Asian Region (Dr. Ananda Guruge) This will bring knowledge about the current trends in Buddhism in Asia where it once flourished and as a great source of stimulation for seeking Vimutti and a source of inspiration for a brilliant culture and civilization.

* "The Buddhist Concept of Gross National Happiness and Its Place in State Policy". The leaders of the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan have done the Buddhist world a great service by advocating the prioritization in state policy of Gross National Happiness over anything else including Gross National Product.

There is a perennial message here not only to Buddhists but also to the world in general which seems to be in a state of confusion regarding priorities.

* "Thai Kingship: A Means of Governing" (Prof. Prapod Assavavirulhakarn). It would convey a message on the application of Buddhist values in regal policy and practice in Thailand. The world is badly in need of just rulers in the tradition of Emperor Dharmasoka and just governance in accordance with the principles of Dasarajadharma.

* "Facilitator Role of the State in The Promotion and Protection of The Buddhasasana" (Ven. Prof. Bhaddanta Kosalla) Myanmar has much to offer to the outside world by way of the efforts that she is making to protect and promote the Buddhasasana and the values and way of life associated with it.

* "An Overview of Unethical Conversions of Buddhists in the Asian Region" (Mr. Gamini Perera and Dr. Ms. Anula Wijesundara) After the wave of conversions backed by imperialism-colonialism, this now is the second wave which is affecting most Buddhist nations and communities. It is necessary to take stock of this problem situation.

* "The Use of Electronic Media and Information Technology for the Propagation of the Dhamma and the Promotion of the Buddhasasana" (Ven. Pannyavaro thera) Tomorrow, if not today, nothing will be able to get done without the use of digital technology. Although its potential for the promotion of the Buddhasasana and the propagation of the Dhamma is immense, its application for these purposes by the Buddhist nations leaves much to be desired.

* "An Assessment of Buddhist Archaeological Heritage Management in Asian Countries" (Dr. Roland de Silva) This guest lecture will cover Buddhist monuments from Bamiyan to Borobudur on the basis of a professional assessment of the management of this great heritage. This discussion will no doubt relate closely to the concerns and interests of all the Buddhist nations and communities participating in this Conference. Dialogue and action around this set of topics, the "cornerstones", and such other topics (more "cornerstones") that may get added to it as we go on into future times, may well serve as a "glue" to bind our nations together.

Make it Not a One-Off Event: Visualize Post-Conference Action! This Conference should not and cannot suffer the fate of a one-off event.

The Country Paper writers will make (as requested) suggestions or recommendations for national or international action directly or by implication for the issues and sub-issues that they choose to shed focus on.

Likewise, Resource Papers will also generate suggestions or recommendations for national or international action. Whatever suggestions or recommendations that are made, plus the inferences drawn from analyses can all be processed and put together to formulate meaningful follow-up activities or programmes.

These will broadly fall into the two-tier schema for action visualized above.

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