High-level Thai Buddhist officials in Assisi for the first time

(April 30, 2011) “Three Buddhist monks will participate in the day of prayer, in October 2011, called by Pope Benedict XVI,” announced recently, a representative of the Supreme Buddhist patriarch . during the visit of the new nuncio to Thailand, Archbishop Giovanni D’Aniello, to the royal temple of Sakate, accompanied by representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand. He was welcomed by Somdej Phra Buddha Jarn, president of a special Committee of the Association of Senior Monks, acting on behalf of Buddhist Patriarch Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana Mahathera, 96, who has health problems. Archbishop D’Aniello noted that the visit is particularly desirable in view of the Holy Father’s announcement for this October. “The Pope is inviting representatives of various Christian denominations and world religions as well as people of good will to make a pilgrimage to Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, to engage in dialogue and pray for peace and justice. Pope Benedict XVI is convinced that every human being is a pilgrim of truth and goodness,” the prelate said. In welcoming his guests, Somdej Phra Buddha Jarn said, “Even if 95 per cent of the population of Thailand is Buddhist, there is unity and respect among religions. For me, each religion is important and the teachings of the Buddha are important to the world, especially now, because conflicts everywhere lead people to seek peace in an inconsistent society.” “This is the first time in Thai history that Catholic bishops and the Supreme Buddhist patriarch meet,” said Bishop Josef Chusak Sirisut, from Nakhon diocese. “I feel resistance is decreasing to some extent, and I consider this a significant milestone, since this year Thailand will host the International Buddhist Conference,” added the prelate who is also president of the Catholic Commission for Culture and Inter-religious Dialogue. Somdej Phra Buddha Jarn took advantage of Nuncio D’Aniello’s visit to announce the visit by three members of the Association of Senior Monks to the Day of Prayer in Assisi this coming October. It will be the first time that three high-level Thai Buddhist monks will take part in this kind of event.