Joint Communiqué International Conference on Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism
" Working As One: Buddhist Unity and Cooperation "
July 16- 20, 2004 (B.E. 2547)

At Buddhamonthon, Nakhon Pathom and the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, The Kingdom of Thailand

We, the participants at the International Conference on Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, having met from July 16 to July 20, 2004 (B.E.2547), at Buddhamonthon Main Hall, Nakhon Pathom and at the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand,

Have agreed, in accordance with the resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations that the Day of Vesak be celebrated each year in the month of May at the UN Headquarters in New York and at regional offices around the world, that Vesak 2005 be celebrated at the UN ESCAP in Bangkok Thailand; That a second International Conference on Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism be held at the same venue in conjunction with that event with the aim of promoting dialogue between Buddhist Leaders and Scholars;

And that a Working Committee be established to determine the actual date of both events and the nature of the activities to be pursued at those meetings.

It was further decided that the second Conference carry over the spirit of the first meeting and, although held in conjunction with the Vesak celebrations, that it should nonetheless form a separate entity.

It is hoped that the second conference will allow us to maintain the friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation already developed in the first meeting, and to continue to cooperate in the same pursuit of unity in diversity through the shared concepts of action and speech, and shared views and unity in outlook.

The next meeting should provide a unique platform for further dialog between Buddhist Leaders and Scholars from both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, in which they can deepen their insight into both their own tradition, and that of their counterparts, at both an academic and practical level. It should also allow us to continue the work already commenced at this meeting under the five headings of:

1. The relationship between Buddhist organizations and state bodies.

2. Future plans for Buddhist Education.

3. The propagation and protection of Buddhism.

4. Buddhism and its role in matters of social welfare.

5. Further collaboration on the international recognition of the day of Vesak.