Bhante Buddharakkhita was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the Mitra Conference Buddhist Youth Network in Sydney, Australia. The conference was attended by Buddhist leaders from the three Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. The conference was held at The Underground on Level 3 of Building 1 – University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Tower from November 30 – December 1, 2019.

Drawing from the Pāli canon, commentaries and other Buddhist literary works, Bhante’s talk explored the Buddhist solutions to the causes of disharmony in the current world. He categorizes disharmony into political, socioeconomic, and religious disharmonies.

Also, Bhante made a stopover in Melbourne at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV), where he met some of his old friends.

After participating in the celebrations of the United Nations Day of Vesak, Bhante paid a courtesy visit to the Most Ven. Dr. Ashin Nyanissara (Sitagu Sayadaw) at Sitagu International Vipassana Academy (where Sitagu Sayadaw resides) in Sagaing, Myanmar. Bhante delivered copies of a book that highlights Sitagu Sayadaw’s visit to Uganda in April 2017.

The visit also intended to once again invite Most Ven. Sitagu to Uganda in the year 2020, and to update Sitagya Sayadaw on the construction plans at UBC. Construction of decent accommodation for both monastics and laities was postponed as there was a timely need to acquire more land for UBC. Resources were used to purchase land adjacent to the Centre for expansion. The price of land in Garuga area (where the temple is situated) keeps skyrocketing every day, so buying it now is timely and an indispensable investment. Construction is expected to start as soon as funds are available.

Furthermore, 5 children are expected to travel to Myanmar to train as novice Buddhist monks under the guidance of Most Ven. Dr. Sitagu Sayadaw.

Bhante later witness a convocation of Diploma graduates at SItagu International Buddhist Academy (SIBA). During the convocation, Sitagu Sayadaw asked his audience to repeat after him 3 times:

• Ethical conduct supports wisdom; wisdom support Ethical conduct
• Ethical conduct supports wisdom; wisdom support Ethical conduct
• Ethical conduct supports wisdom; wisdom support Ethical conduct.

He added that,

To achieve wisdom we have to practice Vipassana (insight meditation) in order to uproot greed, hatred and delusion. Insight meditation is the way to peace. Without insight meditation we cannot achieve peace!

He established Sitagu International Vipassana Academy to training people in Vipassana meditation.

Thousands of delegates attended the 16^th United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) celebrations held in Ha Nam Province in Vietnam from May 12-14, 2019.

Bhante Buddharakkhita participated in this year’s celebrations and represented Uganda at this auspicious occasion.

In his speech, Bhante invited celebrants to take a moment of silence to remember and pray for people who perished in the recent series of bombings in Sri Lanka. “I would like us to spend one minute in silence to remember the tragedy that happened in Sri Lanka just recently. Death is certain, life is uncertain”

Given the big mess happening all around the world, this year’s main discussions centered on “Buddhist Approaches to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibility for a Sustainable Society. Delegates extensively discussed solutions to the UN’s sustainable development goals, placing emphasis on mindful leadership for sustainable peace, global education in ethics, harmonious families, healthcare and sustainable society, and responsible consumption.

Bhante said that “The world is a global village. What happens in Africa, or another continent affects Asia, America and other parts of the world probably the whole universe. What happened in Sri Lanka is affecting all societies in the world.”

The Buddha’s timeless message is a message of “peace and ultimate happiness”, Bhante said. It is this message that inspired Bhante to go forth as a Buddhist monk.

Bhante also spent a few minutes of his speech to invite Buddhist monks, nuns and others to join him in Africa to spread the noble teachings of the Lord Buddha for the happiness and wellbeing of all.

“I am alone. Please come join me in Africa to spread the Dhamma”, Bhante cried out.

He expressed that there is a greater need for Buddhist monks in Africa, and less of them in traditional Buddhist countries. He reminded his audience that “Buddhism is very powerful, but we are weakening it by only focusing on traditional Buddhist countries. There are bigger parts of the world where Buddhism is not established such as Eastern Europe, South America, and Africa.

Bhante also invited the next United Nations Day of Vesak to be conducted in Africa.

Bhante also recognized the coming and support of the Most Ven. Dr. Ashin Nyanissara (in presence) to Uganda in 2017, and other Sri Lankan monks who came in 2016. There were also other monks who came from Germany, Myanmar, India and Bangladesh.

During the event, Bhante met with Most Ven. Dr. Ashin Nyanissara (Sitagu Sayadaw).

To listen to Bhante’s speech during the 16^th UNDV, please follow this link

In the last two months, Bhante has taught in various places including the Yale University, Howard University School of Divinity and Newark Center for Meditative Culture in the USA.

Bhante was also interviewed by Tricycle Magazine. The interview was about what inspired him to become a Buddhist monk and his experiences introducing Buddhism in his home country Uganda, Africa.

Bhante was also interviewed by BBC radio on ‘Buddhism with an African Flavor’. To listen to the interview, follow the link (www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06ptt2x)