THE CLOSING SPEECH

By Abhidhaja-mahā-pandita, The Most Venerable Nandamālābhivaṃsa, Rector
International Theravāda Buddhist Missionary University, Yangon, Myanmar

The Most Venerable Sitagu Sayadaw Dr. Ashin Nyanissara, Venerable Rectors, Vice Chancellors, Principals, Brigadier General Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs of Myanmar, Esteemed Scholars and Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have now come to a conclusion of the three-day International Conference of All Theravada Buddhist Universities which was opened by His Holiness the Chairman Sayadaw of the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee at International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, ITBMU, on 9 March 2007.

This historic international conference has been co-sponsored by ITBMU & Sitagu International Buddhist Academy. Through its patronage the Government has also given all the necessary support.

Venerable Sirs, Ladies and Gentlemen, the idea of bringing all the Theravada universities together came from Ven. Prof. Dhammasami from ITBMU who went to see universities in different countries through his own initiatives. His idea is now ours.
 
During the three-day International Conference of All Theravada Buddhist Universities, we have achieved more than what we had hoped for. We have begun our networking through lively, exciting exchanges in the academic sessions. A lot of information which was not available to us before has become quite familiar to us now.

We have also agreed to form an Association of All Theravada Buddhist Universities to promote the study and practice of Buddhism as in the Pali Canon. Three general areas of collaborations have been mapped out. They are as the names of the Academic Working Committees indicate: exchanges; research; and information and publication. These are our common concerns.

Beside this, one specific area for collaboration has also been agreed. That is to work together on Postgraduate programs.   

I would like to thank all of you for the effort you have put in to make this conference a success.

Venerable Sirs and Ladies and Gentlemen, forming an international association is a hard work; but harder is to make it work. This is the challenge that lies ahead and one that we should take on together in unity and in the spirit of the dhamma.

It is my earnest wish that this Association will go from strength to strength to serve the citizens of the world through the study and practice of Theravada Buddhism as preserved in the Pali Canon.

Thank you.