The four-day conference drew the participation of 450 international delegates, including dignitaries representing Buddhist sects from 51 countries and territories, high-ranking state officials of several countries, representatives of international organizations, and thousands of monks and lay Buddhists in Japan.

At the invitation of the Most Ven. Dr. Kyuse Enshinjoh, Supreme Advisor to Buddhist Summit and Most Ven. Khamba Nomun Khan D.Choijamts, Chairman of the Forum of the World Buddhist Summit, representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) joining the 8^th Buddhist supreme conference included Most Venerable President of the VBS’s Central Executive Council Thích Thiện Nhơn, Senior Venerable Vice President cum General Secretary of the VBS’s Central Executive Council Thích Đức Thiện, and Venerable Member of the VBS’s Central Executive Council Thích Minh Ân.

As reported, World Buddhist Supreme Conference has been established for 25 years and has successfully held seven conferences. Through each conference, Buddhist communities in the world have contributed to enhance mutual understanding between Buddhist scholars and traditions. In each conference, the VBS sent high-ranking monks and nuns to participate and made practical contributions through presentations and exchanges at the conference’s sessions.

During the 8^th supreme conference’s opening ceremony, Most Ven. Dr. Somdet Phra Mahathirachan from Thailand highlighted the historical reestablishment of Nalanda Mahavihara which has been a cherished dream of all Buddhists in the world over 800 years.

Addressing the event, the representative of the U.N. Human Rights Committee gave a speech calling for joint efforts for sustainable development in all fields, and Most Ven. Dr. Shinkai Kori, Vice President of the World Buddhist Supreme Conference delivered a presentation on practical issues and solutions based on Buddhist teachings in order to create a sustainable peace in the world.

Nguyên Hải