New Zealand marked a historic milestone for Buddhist unity on 21 March 2026, as more than 50 monks and nuns from the Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna traditions gathered at Oneness Temple in Auckland for the inaugural national meeting themed “Unity in Dhamma: A Gathering of NZ-Based Sangha.” The event was organised by the New Zealand Buddhist Sangha Society to strengthen cooperation among Buddhist communities across the country.

The opening ceremony was presided over by three senior monastic leaders:

• Kathog Rigzin Chenpo Rinpoche, President of the New Zealand Buddhist Sangha Society (Vajrayāna)
• Venerable Metteyya, Sri Lankan Theravāda tradition
• Venerable Thich Phuoc An, Vietnamese Mahāyāna tradition

All three leaders emphasised the importance of unity in sharing the Dhamma within New Zealand’s multicultural society. Rinpoche also reflected warmly on his visits to Thailand and his encounter with the Dhammakaya community, expressing that wherever he meets monks or novices, he feels they are “spiritual brothers.”

Representatives from Wat Phra Dhammakaya Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin participated in the meeting on behalf of Phramaha Sutham Surattano, Pali Scholar Grade 9, PhD, who serves as President of the Dhammakaya Oceania Region. During the assembly, Phra Maha Sutham Surattano was appointed Vice-President of the New Zealand Buddhist Sangha Society, reflecting the collaborative spirit across traditions.

A new organisational structure was formally established, comprising a Chairman, four Vice-Presidents, a Director General, a General Secretary, and seven Senior Consultants. The meeting also introduced a comprehensive survey of Buddhist temples and centres across New Zealand, revealing 32 active centres across six regions, demonstrating the steady growth of Buddhism nationwide.

The Society also launched its new national website, buddhistsangha.org.nz, featuring an “Explore Temples” directory with maps and contact information for Buddhist centres throughout the country.

Participants unanimously endorsed three key initiatives:

1. An annual Sangha offering ceremony
2. Joint celebrations of major Buddhist holy days, beginning with Vesak Day on 16 May at Tsi Ming Temple, Auckland
3. Resource-sharing and training workshops, including Dhamma studies, legal knowledge, and accounting

The meeting concluded in a warm and harmonious atmosphere, with participants gathering for a commemorative photograph and paying respects to senior monastics. This landmark event represents a significant step forward for Buddhism in New Zealand, demonstrating the power of unity, shared purpose, and collective vision in sustaining the Dhamma for future generations.