General Meeting Of Thai Buddhist Monks 2009

Thai Buddhist monks all over the UK came together, totaling 29, to meet at the Buddhapadipa Temple. It was a good environment for hosting the annual meeting. The meeting also represents a special day for sharing experiences and being supportive of each other, with wisdom, peace, unity and harmony being demonstrated by all to represent this.

In the morning session, the monks introduced themselves and talked about the mission, that they had to help others. After that, all the monks had lunch together and again just like any other day of the year; there was full support from the lay-people who brought food to the monks. Everybody did their part to make the day so far then, run smoothly. It was such a good example of the term ‘community’; a day of giving and sharing.

In the afternoon session, there were some government officials from Thailand and the Royal Thai Embassy who came to listen to the monks and formally take into account how they would be able to help the monks achieve their aims. In addition, among the problems that were mentioned, some positive developments were identified that are good for the many as the saying in Buddhism: ‘Work without expectation, and then you can enjoy your working experience’.

It is true that working without expectation, we can have a real experience. It is like the words of the Buddha when he encouraged his disciples to convey his words: ‘neither insult other faiths nor people, neither harm living beings nor anything and teach those who want to understand.