On Wednesday 30 December 2009 from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., Ambassador Nopadol Gunavibool was invited to grace the opening of 5th International Buddha’s Relics Arts & Cultural Exhibition at Suntec Exhibition Centre. The Guest of Honour of the occasion was Dr. Teo Ho Pin, Member of Parlia,emt for Bukit Panjang Constituency and Mayor of North West District. Other distinguished guests included the Myanmar Ambassador, the Canadian High Commissioner and representatives of the embassies and high commissions such as the Philippines, India, China, Cambodia etc.

The Exhibition, which ran from 30 December 2009 until 3 January 2020 at Suntec, was organized by Kadhampa Buddhist Association and supported by many Buddhist monasteries and associations, particularly Wat Anand Metayarama. In this regard, the Venerable Phra Thep Siddhivides, Chief Abbot of Wat Anand and President of the Thai Sankha Council in Singapore, was invited as the most senior member of the participating sankha. He was also invited to lead the chanting of prayers and blessings during the opening ceremony.

Kadharnpa Buddhist Association is a non-profit organization, formed to propagate the teachings of the Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings, as well as to promote compassion and wisdom to all.

This year, the International Buddha’s Relics Arts & Cultural Exhibition was considered a large scale event since the first large scale exhibition in 2006. Its main objective was to promote racial and religious harmony in the society during the time of economic crisis and social instability. It also provided a platform for better understanding of Buddhism and promoted harmony among peoples from different races, religions and all walks of life not only locally but also internationally. This was to be achieved by focusing on arts and cultural activities rather than religious aspect and comprised various programmes suitable for all.

Apart from the largest and grandest Buddha’s relics and antique exhibition, the 5-day event also included an arts exhibition, which was jointly organized by Federation of Arts Societies (Singapore); a floral exhibition, with Floriculture Association Singapore and internationally renowned floral designers; photography competition, co-organized by Macpherson Community Centre Photographic Club; a 2010 Countdown Party; charity events, which included alms offerings, distribution of rations to the needy and a fund raising performance to help raise medical fund for a local hospital; and a Family Fiesta which comprised over 270 exhibition booths; talks by various professionals including parenting talks, targeted at new immigrants, family bonding activities and many more, which is co-organized by Aixin Arts & Cultural Development Association.