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| Delegates at the 2023 International Vesak Day Celebration. |
On May 18, the International Vesak Day celebration was solemnly held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York.
Speaking at the ceremony were the President of the UN General Assembly; the UN Secretary General; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, along with many Ambassadors, Heads of Delegations of UN member countries, and a number of international monks, nuns, and Buddhists.
The statements emphasized that in the current challenging and complex international context, the Buddha's teachings on tolerance, compassion, and service to humanity are a source of comfort and strength for nations to overcome differences to build a better future.
The great ideals of Buddha celebrated in this sacred event are also the goals of the United Nations, which are to promote understanding among peoples, harmony, peace and progress.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador and Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the UN Dang Hoang Giang emphasized that the Buddha's great and humane thoughts on non-discrimination of social classes are the source and principles of equality, freedom and peace. Therefore, he is always honored as one of the greatest thinkers of humanity and a "messenger of peace".
The Ambassador said that the Buddha's teachings are a scientific and intellectual philosophical system, a compass to solve difficult problems of the modern world such as war, poverty, epidemics, climate change, environmental pollution, etc. These are also the goals and principles that the United Nations strives to pursue.
To contribute to world peace and human happiness, and at the same time to honor and preserve the Buddha's legacy, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang called for learning and following his example, striving to overcome selfish interests, aiming for the greater benefit of all humanity, and respecting and protecting the natural environment.
This has been an annual event of the United Nations since 1999 when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/115 on the annual celebration of the International Day of Vesak, to recognize the contribution of Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, to the spiritual life of people, as well as to the common efforts of the international community for peace, cooperation, harmony and development.
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