The 20th United Nations Day of Vesak in 2025, hosted by Vietnam, will take place from May 6-8 at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City. The event is not only dedicated to the Buddhist community but also has global significance, emphasizing the values of compassion, peace and solidarity among nations.
Speaking at a press conference on the afternoon of April 22, Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice President of the Executive Council and Head of the Central Information and Communications Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that the main theme of the 2025 Vesak Festival is "Solidarity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development."
This theme not only aims to popularize Buddhist values but also celebrates sustainable development in modern society.
The United Nations Day of Vesak is expected to attract about 2,000 delegates, including delegations from more than 80 countries and 5 territories. The event is held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, National Reunification and towards the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Central Information and Communications Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)
“This is not only an opportunity to learn and share, but also an opportunity to connect Buddhists around the world,” said Venerable Thich Gia Quang.
Within the framework of the Great Festival program, there will be a series of seminars with 5 topics including: Nurturing inner peace for world peace; Healing with mindfulness: The path of reconciliation; Buddhist compassion in action: Shared responsibility for human development; Mindfulness in education for a compassionate and sustainable future; and Promoting solidarity: Collaborative efforts for global harmony.
In particular, the Festival will feature special art performances such as: the performance of the opera "The Life of Buddha," the art program "Sacred Vesak"; Buddhist art exhibition; display of Buddhist cultural products and a culinary festival.
The anticipated activities are the opening of the worship of Buddha's relics - the National Treasure of India - at Thanh Tam Pagoda, Vietnam Buddhist Academy, Le Minh Xuan campus, Binh Chanh district and the heart relics of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc at Vietnam National Temple.
The programs engage attendees in rich spiritual activities, chanting and praying for peace.
Venerable Thich Gia Quang added: "The 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival is also an opportunity for international friends to come to Ho Chi Minh City. This is also an opportunity to introduce the image of the country and people of Vietnam who love peace, friendliness, solidarity and harmony; witness a dynamic, creative, prosperous and thriving Ho Chi Minh City after 50 years of national reunification..."
Through the program content, seminar, cultural and social activities of the Great Festival, international friends will have a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism over more than 2,000 years of accompanying the nation; the unique spirit of engagement of Vietnamese Buddhism, the great contributions of Buddhism in the cause of building and defending the country, and in the achievement of national unification./.
The 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 15, 1999 decided that Vesak or the Three-Day Festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni is a cultural and religious festival for peace. Since 2000, the United Nations Vesak Festival has been held 19 times at the United Nations Headquarters and in countries around the world.
Vietnam has successfully hosted and organized three Vesak celebrations in 2008 at the My Dinh National Convention Center, Hanoi; 2014 at Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh; and 2019 at Tam Chuc Pagoda, Ha Nam.
(Vietnam+)
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dai-le-vesak-2025-nhan-manh-gia-tri-cua-hoa-binh-va-doan-ket-cac-dan-toc-post1034334.vnp
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