On 23 June 2023 H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, welcomed members of diplomatic corps and representatives from international organizations to the Special Talk by Phra Dhammaphacharayanamuni (Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro) in Commemoration of the 96th Birthday Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, at Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The event was also warmly attended by representatives from government agencies, private sector, as well as Thai and foreign media and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

The Supreme Patriarch has kindly bestowed upon the Ministry and the audience a message reflecting on time and peace specifically for this occasion. The message was read out by Phra Dhammaphacharayanamuni (Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro). The special talk was delivered in English and provided understanding on the teaching of the Buddha, the Buddhist monastic way of life as shown in over 70 years in monastic life of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch. The teachings on the Four Noble Truth, the Eightfold Path, mindfulness and wisdom were laid out in such a way that was comprehensible to the non-Buddhist audience. Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro emphasized on Buddhism as an educational system for one to learn and to practice,

In addition, the Ministry has organized a special exhibition in honour of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand on the auspicious occasion of his 96th Birthday Anniversary, displaying His Holiness’s biography and activities especially in the propagation of Buddhism as he was the first batch of Dhammaduta and was assigned as the pioneer team of Dhammaduta and went to Australia in 1973 and stayed there for a number of years. The exhibition also displayed His Holiness’s projects and activities in conserving nature and environment and fostering sustainable development as well as some of His Holiness’s messages delivered on various occasions regarding Buddhism and peace.

To commemorate the occasion of 96th Birthday Anniversary of the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Thai Embassies and Consulate-Generals together with the Thai communities around the world also held Buddhist ceremonies and various types of activity to celebrate this auspicious occasion.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand also broadcasted the event through its official facebook page. The event could be accessed via https://fb.watch/llZ9Gnmwkl/?mibextid=Nif5oz