The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 at Tam Chuc pagoda in Ha Nam province from May 12-14 has affirmed the core values of peace and wisdom in Buddhism which should be spread to build peace and spur sustainable development.  

Vesak 2019 was attended by more than 1,650 international delegates from 570 delegations of 112 countries and territories and more than 20,000 Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers. The delegates included Myanmar President Win Myint; Indian Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) Venkaiah Naidu;  Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli; and Chairman of the National Council (Upper House) of Bhutan Tashi Dorji.

"We are all here to honor the Lord Buddha and uphold Buddhist philosophy to reduce conflicts, sufferings and sorrows, establish peace, friendship, cooperation, and development among nations for the peace and prosperity of all people around the world," Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at the opening ceremony of the celebration on May 12.

Themed "Buddhist approach to global leadership and shared responsibilities for sustainable societies," the event expressed common viewpoints of the Vietnamese Government, the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam (BSV), UN, delegates and other Buddhist Sangha in mindful issues, such as conflicts, terrorism, wars, inequality, environmental crises and challenges brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution worldwide.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and delegates attend the opening ceremony of the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc performs the ritual of bathing the Buddha. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosts a banquet in honor of delegates to the UN Day of Vesak. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in a candle-lit procession to pray for world peace. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh addresses the closing ceremony of Vesak 2019. Photo: Duong Giang/VNP

Vesak 2019 also affirmed that Buddhism's values of tolerance, anatta, selflessness, harmony and peace contribute to dealing with global challenges and realizing the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

"Let's calm our mind and think of Buddha's teachings to find solutions and take joint action to protect and build a peaceful and better world." Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc

For Vietnam - a nation of diverse religions, Vietnamese Buddhism has a long history in the country, with Buddhist dignitaries, monks and nuns having stood by the nation through ups and downs. The Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam has continued to grow and prove its role in the nation's development.

This was the third time Vietnam had hosted the UN Vesak celebrations, helping improve the role of Vietnam's Buddhism in international integration and affirm Vietnam's position and responsibility for UN activities in all fields.

Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Center ready to welcome delegates to the UN Day of Vesak 2019. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP The event attracts more than 1,650 international delegates from 570 delegations of 112 countries and territories. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP  The ritual of bathing the Buddha bathing ritual at Tam The chamber, Tam Chuc pagoda. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP Thousands of Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers attend the Buddha bathing ritual. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP Monks perform the ritual of bathing the Buddha at Tam Chuc pagoda. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP Buddhist followers at the ritual of bathing the Buddha. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP Releasing doves to pray for world peace. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP Sparkling Tam Chuc pagoda at the candle-lit procession. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP Lighting candles in preparation for the candle-lit procession. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP Lanterns arranged in the shape of Vesak’s symbol. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP Numerous monks, nuns and followers attend the candle-lit procession. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP The candle-lit procession is attended by 50,000 Buddhist followers. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP A traditional art performance on Tam Chuc lake at the closing ceremony. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP Buddhist followers at Vesak 2019. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

 

"398 presentations in English and 110 in Vietnamese were presented by foreign and Vietnamese scholars in forums at the event." Deputy Chairman of the BSV Executive Council and Vesak 2019 General Sectary Thich Duc Thien.   "The  Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam has increasingly developed, contributing to the development of Buddhism in the world. The theme of this year's Day of Vesak has demonstrated Buddhism's contributions to the world's development." Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for Day of Vesak.

 

By VNA/VNP