Dhammasamvega from the IATBU

The Secretariat for His Holiness Supreme Patriarch
Wat Bvornives
Bangkok
Thailand
Dear Venerable Sirs,

We, the International Association of Theravada Buddhist University (IATBU), have learnt with a profound shock that His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, has passed away on Thursday 24th October 2013 having just become a remarkable centenarian on 3 October 2013. We join the whole Buddhist followers of the Thai Kingdom in mourning the learned, ever-mindful and highly revered Supreme Patriarch.

We feel a great loss at the passing away of His Holiness, because the IATBU has received so much support from His Holiness’ spiritual guidance. From its inception in March 2007 the IATBU has its secretariat at Mahamakut Buddhist University (MBU), a great institution which has grown steadily under His Holiness’ able leadership. With the unconditional support of MBU, the IATBU has held a few successful conferences in Thailand, the last being the Association’s third conference in 16-18 May this year at the MBU’s Salaya Campus in Buddhamonthorn.

While in deep dhamma-samvega (spiritually shock) on the impermanent nature of life at this very moment in time, we, the Executive Council and all the twenty-four IATBU member-institutions from twelve nations, wish to take this opportunity to remember, reflect and rejoice (anussati) in the selfless and exemplary leadership as well as the numerous contributions in the fields of literature, culture, social advancement, healthcare, dhamma study and meditation practice by His Holiness spanning more than eight decades.

May His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, attain nirvana.
With utmost respects, humbleness and in the dhamma,

Venerable Dr. Khammai Dhammasami DPhil (Oxford)
Executive Secretary
29 October 2013

International Association of Theravada Buddhist Universities
Mahamakut Buddhist University Salaya Campus
Buddhamonthorn, Nakhon Pathom
Thailand

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