General Conference
31st General Conference
Date:
5-6 December B.E. 2568 (2025)
Venue:
Vajiravudh College, Bangkok.
Theme:
Cultivating Wisdom and Well-being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Buddhist Vision for the Future.
The 31st General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (The WFB) convened approximately 300 participants onsite, including members of the Sangha and lay delegates representing regional centres from across the world. The event was further enriched by the 22nd General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY), held in conjunction. The conference served as a dynamic platform for intercultural dialogue, highlighting the rich diversity of Buddhist traditions—Theravāda, Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna, and others.
This year’s gathering was especially significant, marking the 75th Anniversary of The WFB’s founding—an important milestone in its history. The conference took place from 5th–6th December B.E. 2568 (2025) at Vajiravudh College in Bangkok, Thailand. Its success was made possible through close collaboration with the Department of Religious Affairs of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy, and the strong support of The WFB regional centres in Thailand. During the conference, new executive committees for both The WFB and WFBY were elected to serve a two-year term.
Against the backdrop of rapid technological advancement, the conference also addressed the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on modern society. As AI continues to reshape communication, education, and the creation and dissemination of knowledge, it offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and global interconnectedness. At the same time, it presents complex ethical, social, and psychological challenges that require careful reflection and responsible engagement.
In response to these developments, the theme of the 31st General Conference was: “Cultivating Wisdom and Well-being in the AI Era: A Buddhist Vision for the Future.” The theme underscored the importance of aligning technological progress with enduring spiritual values ensuring that innovation contributes not only to material advancement but also to inner development, ethical awareness, and collective well-being.
From a Buddhist perspective, emerging technologies call for paññā (discernment)—the wisdom to evaluate what is wholesome, beneficial, and appropriate within specific contexts of time, place, and circumstance. Guided by this principle, the conference brought together an esteemed group of monastics and scholars to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and Buddhist thought. Discussions focused on integrating AI with ethical frameworks, mindfulness practices, and compassionate action.
Distinguished speakers included Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Medhivajarapundit (Hansa Dhammahaso), Venerable Asst. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Sompong Khunakaro, Reverend Yoshiharu Tomatsu, Reverend Prof. Dr. Park Kwangsoo, Associate Prof. Dr. Minseok S. Kim, and Dr. Nadnapang Phophichit, with Associate Prof. Dr. Konit Srithong serving as moderator. Their insights highlighted the potential of AI as a powerful tool for disseminating the Buddha’s teachings while supporting mental well-being, emotional resilience, and harmonious living in an increasingly complex world.
This year’s gathering was especially significant, marking the 75th Anniversary of The WFB’s founding—an important milestone in its history. The conference took place from 5th–6th December B.E. 2568 (2025) at Vajiravudh College in Bangkok, Thailand. Its success was made possible through close collaboration with the Department of Religious Affairs of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy, and the strong support of The WFB regional centres in Thailand. During the conference, new executive committees for both The WFB and WFBY were elected to serve a two-year term.
Against the backdrop of rapid technological advancement, the conference also addressed the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on modern society. As AI continues to reshape communication, education, and the creation and dissemination of knowledge, it offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and global interconnectedness. At the same time, it presents complex ethical, social, and psychological challenges that require careful reflection and responsible engagement.
In response to these developments, the theme of the 31st General Conference was: “Cultivating Wisdom and Well-being in the AI Era: A Buddhist Vision for the Future.” The theme underscored the importance of aligning technological progress with enduring spiritual values ensuring that innovation contributes not only to material advancement but also to inner development, ethical awareness, and collective well-being.
From a Buddhist perspective, emerging technologies call for paññā (discernment)—the wisdom to evaluate what is wholesome, beneficial, and appropriate within specific contexts of time, place, and circumstance. Guided by this principle, the conference brought together an esteemed group of monastics and scholars to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and Buddhist thought. Discussions focused on integrating AI with ethical frameworks, mindfulness practices, and compassionate action.
Distinguished speakers included Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Medhivajarapundit (Hansa Dhammahaso), Venerable Asst. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Sompong Khunakaro, Reverend Yoshiharu Tomatsu, Reverend Prof. Dr. Park Kwangsoo, Associate Prof. Dr. Minseok S. Kim, and Dr. Nadnapang Phophichit, with Associate Prof. Dr. Konit Srithong serving as moderator. Their insights highlighted the potential of AI as a powerful tool for disseminating the Buddha’s teachings while supporting mental well-being, emotional resilience, and harmonious living in an increasingly complex world.
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