Buddhism Today
　In modern days, people’s morals have been declined and their minds have been devastated. Also, countless human lives have been taken by terrorism or during battles, caused by the confrontations and conflicts among religions.

　Buddhism is the religion based on the principle of nonviolence taught by Lord Buddha 2,500 years ago and it has been spread in a peaceful way all over the world. Buddhism guides each person to inner peace. Thus, Buddhism can bring about true peace in the world.
 
　Yet in the olden days, Buddhism was split into 3 major traditions, that is, Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism. And they did not compromise with one another, shutting themselves up in their own traditions, and then it gradually followed the course of decline.
 

The Tripartite Meeting
　On April 5, 1998, a historic meeting was held at Toriimoto Monastery in Kyoto, Japan.　H.H. Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, representing Theravada Buddhism, H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, representing Vajrayana Buddhism, and Most Ven. Dr. Kyuse Enshinjoh, Founder High Priest of Nenbutsushu, representing Mahayana Buddhism, got together, overcoming differences in their traditions. They unanimously concluded that “The responsibility for the decline of Buddhism lies in high priests” and agreed to join hands and act together for propagating Buddhism.

　Thus, under the banner of “Revert to the original teachings of Lord Buddha,” Buddhist Summit was established to realize world peace and serenity for humanity through the propagation of Buddhism.

The First Buddhist Summit
　Most Ven. Dr. Mapalagama Wipulasara Maha Thero, President of Maha Bodhi Society of India, His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, together with Nenbutsushu, made a great effort to establish Buddhist Summit with the aim of realizing world peace and serenity for humanity.

　Impressed by this ideal, the supreme Buddhist leaders of the 13 countries and 1 region, including Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Lao PDR, and India, assembled in one hall, which was the first time in the long history of Buddhism.

　H.H. Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara highly revered as a “Living Buddha,” in whom H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej took refuge, came to Japan all the way from Thailand despite his advanced age of 84. The First Buddhist Summit was thus convened at Kyoto International Conference Center in Japan. The attendance of His Holiness surprised Thai people and caused them to say, “The big mountain moved!” The world Buddhist communities never imagined his attendance.

　Thus, the First Buddhist Summit surely became an epoch-making event in the long history of Buddhism.

Toward the Propagation of Buddhism
　More than two decades have passed since the First Buddhist Summit. With the support from Royal Families and governments, Buddhist Summit has become an organization that the supreme Buddhist leaders from more than 50 countries unite for the lofty ideal, the propagation of Buddhism in the whole world. It has a high responsibility toward all Buddhists in the world.