SEVENTH ABCP GENERAL CONFERENCE
The Seventh ABCP General Conference was held under the motto “Bhikkus, Let’s Pray and Act for Peace, Justice and Survival of All Sentient Beings,” in Vientiane, Laos from 12-14 February 1986. It was attended by Buddhist delegations from the ABCP National Centers of Bangladesh, India, Japan, Kampuchea, DPRK, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, the USSR, Korean Buddhist Federation in Japan and Council for Religious and Cultural Affairs of H. H. the Dalai Lama in India. Buddhists from Burma and Bhutan participated in the work of the conference as observers.
Representatives from 12 international organizations, including, the United Nations (UN), Christian Peace Conference (CPC), the Working Presidium of the World Conference of Religious Workers (1982), Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organization (AAPSO), Women’s International Democratic Federation (WIDF), World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), International Organization of Journalists (IOJ), World Peace Council (WPC), Berlin Conference of European Catholics (BCEC), World Council of Churches (WCC), World Lutheran Federation (WLF), International Pugwash Conference, representatives of the Muslim religious Board of Central Asia and Kazakhstan of the USSR. Religious Council of Afghanistan, Russian Orthodox Church, Buddhists of Hungary and Poland, and representatives of PLO participated in the Conference as guests.
It adopted the Vientiane Declaration, General Resolution, Special Resolution, Resolution on New Soviet initiative, Message to Lao Buddhists.
The General Conference considered organizational matters, where Most Venerable Khambo Lama Kh. Gaadan was re-elected President of ABCP; Most Venerable Kushok Bakula of India, Most Venerable Shojun Mibu of Japan, Most Venerable Thich Minh Chau of Vietnam, Most Venerable M. Wipulsara of Sri Lanka and Most Venerable T. Anantasounthone of Laos – Vice Presidents of ABCP. The General Conference decided to set up a new ABCP Standing Commission on “Indian Ocean – A Zone of Peace”.
COMMUNIQUE
The Seventh General Conference of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace was held in Vientiane, the capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, under the motto “Bhikkus, Let’s Pray and Act for Peace, Justice and Survival of All Sentient Beings,” on 12-14 February 1986.
The Buddhist delegations from the ABCP National Centers of Bangladesh, India, Japan, Kampuchea, DPRK, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, the USSR, Korean Buddhist Federation in Japan and Council for Religious and Cultural Affairs of H. H. the Dalai Lama in India participated in the ABCP Seventh General Conference.
Most Venerable Thich Tri Tinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Buddha Sangha, and Most Venerable Rajanandamuni of Thailand attended the Seventh General Conference of the ABCP as guests of honor.
Buddhists from Burma and Bhutan participated in the work of the conference as observers.
Representatives from 12 international organizations, including, the United Nations (UN), Christian Peace Conference (CPC), the Working Presidium of the World Conference of Religious Workers (1982), Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organization (AAPSO), Women’s International Democratic Federation (WIDF), World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), International Organization of Journalists (IOJ), World Peace Council (WPC), Berlin Conference of European Catholics (BCEC), World Council of Churches (WCC), World Lutheran Federation (WLF), International Pugwash Conference, representatives of the Muslim religious Board of Central Asia and Kazakhstan of the USSR. Religious Council of Afghanistan, Russian Orthodox Church, Buddhists of Hungary and Poland, and representatives of PLO participated in the General Conference as guests.
The Seventh General Conference started its work with a prayer for peace and tranquility.
The opening speech was delivered by the President of the ABCP, Most Venerable Khambo Lama Kh. Gaadan.
Mr. Phoumi Vongvichit, Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the LPDR, delivered a speech at the Conference.
The participants to the Seventh General Conference received messages of greetings from State and Government leaders of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, People’s Republic of Kampuchea, Republic of India, the USSR, the Mongolian People’s Republic, as well as from the UN Secretary General, Director-General of UNESCO, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, President of the Holy Synod and Patriarch of Bulgaria, World Peace Council, Working Presidium of the World Conference “Religious Workers for Saving the Sacred Gift of Life from Nuclear Catastrophe,” Christian Peace Conference, World Council of Churches, World Fellowship of Buddhists, Buddhist Union of Europe, Berlin Conference of European Catholics, Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organization, Peace, Solidarity and Friendship Organization of the DRA, Peace Council of the GDR, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Minister of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh.
Prof. Ch. Jugder, Secretary General of the ABCP, made a report on the activities of the ABCP since the Sixth General Conference of ABCP and outlined its further tasks.
The participants heard reports on the work of ABCP National Centers and interventions made by the representatives of international organizations and guests.
The Seventh General Conference of ABCP adopted the Vientiane Declaration, General Resolution, Special Resolution, Resolution on New Soviet initiative, Message to Lao Buddhists.
Vientiane, Laos
14 February 1986, B.E. 2530
