‘Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme’ launched

The ‘Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme’ has been initiated and launched by the Foreign Ministry together with Sri Lanka’s Missions in ASEAN countries and South Korea as well as the Department of Buddhist Affairs. This programme has been initiated based on a concept brought forth by the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry.

The ‘Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme’ has been initiated in order to connect temples and religious communities across Sri Lanka and ASEAN countries to promote mutual understanding and cultural and economic exchanges. This programme will involve exchange of visits by Buddhist monks between countries, creating forums for interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange, and providing opportunities for joint projects and initiatives.

A media conference with the Vietnamese delegation under the ‘Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme’ was held yesterday (8) at the Foreign Ministry with the participation of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, Ambassador of Vietnam in Colombo, Secretary All Island Sasanarakshaka Balamandala, Most Ven. Mugunuwela Anurudda Thera, Commissioner (Development) Department of Buddhist Affairs N.S. Jayakody, Director, Foreign Ministry Priyanga Nanayakkara and the Vietnamese delegation including Most Venerable Thich Thanh Cuong, Vice President of Pilgrim Tourism Association of Hai Duong Province in Vietnam, Ven. Phap Can and five travel agents.

As the first phase of this initiative, a nominated group of Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka who have received invitations from several Buddhist temples in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Korea and Vietnam through Sri Lanka Missions abroad, are travelling to these countries for a brief stay.

Further, the monks of these countries are expected to visit Sri Lankan temples as the next phase of the initiative.

Upon the successful conclusion of the first phase of the Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme in Vietnam, the Foreign Ministry welcomed the Buddhist monks from Cuong Xa and Long Hung pagodas to Sri Lanka along with travel agents from Vietnam for a Buddhist pilgrim tour of Sri Lanka, in order to promote and foster religious and cultural diplomacy between the countries.

A Vietnamese delegation consisting of two monks and five travel agents are currently in Sri Lanka to undertake a study visit on Sri Lankan pilgrim destinations aiming to enhance pilgrim tourism between the two countries under the Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme.

The six objectives of the Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme are firstly to connect 100 Sri Lankan temples to ASEAN Buddhist temples. The second objective is to promote greater understanding and appreciation of cultural and religious diversity among nations. Another objective is to facilitate interfaith dialogue and cooperation among different religious communities.

The fourth objective is to encourage joint initiatives and projects that promote peace, harmony, and mutual respect. Fifthly, the programme is initiated to foster closer diplomatic ties and cooperation between Sri Lanka and ASEAN countries. The final objective is to promote sustainable tourism, cultural exchange and economic cooperation between countries.

Furthermore, government funding for this programme is not required as the accommodation, food and other necessary expenses will be provided by the host temples. At present, nearly 50 temples in ASEAN countries have confirmed the willingness to host Sri Lankan Buddhist monks under the Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme. The monks who are participating for this initiative were selected by the All Island Buddha Sasana Council of Sri Lanka with the expectation of their utmost contribution in realizing the objectives of the Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme.

In order to expand this initiative, the Foreign Ministry aims to launch the Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme with Singapore, Japan, Thailand and Cambodia during the second phase of the programme.

As of December 6, five Sri Lankan Buddhist monks visited South Korea and four monks visited Indonesia in September 2023 while three monks visited Vietnam in October 2023, under this initiative as the first phase of the programme which has been concluded.

Furthermore, nine monks are due to visit Myanmar from December 15 to 31. Therefore, a total of 12 Sri Lankan Buddhist monks have already participated in the Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme initiative and nine will be travelling shortly. More Sri Lankan Buddhist monks will be participating in this programme in the months to come.

The next step of the Temple to Temple Diplomacy Programme is to focus on the enhancement of tourism, cultural ties, and people-to-people contact between Vietnam and Sri Lanka in the near future.

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