Please come together to drive the first foundation pile of Pathumrattana Dhamma Cetiya

Please come together to drive the first foundation pile of Pathumrattana Dhamma Cetiya to establish the relics of the Lord Buddha and the Arahants at the International Buddha Park near the Khong Riverbank in Phonphisai district, Nong Khai province on Wednesday November 28th, 2012 (Loy Krathong Day).

The International Buddha Park
Thailand has been the Buddhist Land for a long time. In 2005, our country was nominated to be the Center of World Buddhism from the agreement in the International Buddhist Conference on Vesak Day.  This means that Thailand should play more important roles and activities to express the Buddhist leadership in the international level.  However, when we surveyed our readiness, we found that we still lack both places and personnel to support them.

It is the fortunate of Thailand and the world that the International Buddha Park Project in Phonphisai district, Nong Khai province has been launched in time because this place will be the center of mind, it will be used to cultivate morality to Thai people and support hundred thousands of Buddhists worldwide to hold the religious activities together each time.

Reasons of establishing the park here are
1.    Nong Khai province has many legends concerning with Buddhism since the Buddha Time.

2.    This province is the only place in which the phenomenon of Naga’s Fireball happens every year.  This phenomenon attracts hundred thousands of tourists from all over the world to prove whether it is the supernatural or the artificial one.

3.    This province was selected to be the 7th best place to live during retirement from MM Modern Maturity Magazine (May-June 2001).  They determined by using 12 criteria which were weather, living cost, local culture, healthcare service, residence, transportation, hospitalization, environment, recreational area, safety and security, political stability, and modern technology.

Nong Khai province is in the good location and has many kinds of transportation to go to many countries especially by the Khong River which is the source of civilization of many nationalities – Tibetan, Chinese, Burmese, Lao, Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese.  So this park will strengthen the connection of Buddhist monks from both Riverbanks.  The Khong River may make them faraway, but not the mind of those who believe in the Lord Buddha.

So the International Buddha Park will be built to (be):
-    the center of Buddhists’ mind around the world
-    the center of studying and disseminating Buddhism
-    the place to hold the meeting, training, or Dhamma Talk for all Buddhists
-    the meditation center and will be used to perform the domestic and international Buddhist activities
-    the Monument of the Power of the Lord Buddha, to worship the Lord Buddha and preserve the evidence of the Naga’s Fireball to the world
-    the sanctuary public park for people

For more information, please contact your regional coordinator or call 081-632-8301, 081-718-1175, 081-632-8311, or 089-699-7362.  Thank you and rejoice in your merit.


Translated by Chadawee Chaipooripat