'Organize the 2025 Vesak Festival solemnly and absolutely safely'

On the afternoon of April 16, chairing a meeting to review work related to the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival to be held in Vietnam next May, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh emphasized that, according to the direction of the Secretariat, the Festival must be organized solemnly, dignifiedly, and absolutely safely, leaving a good impression on the delegations and participating countries.

The meeting aims to review the work that has been, is being and will be done, to create favorable conditions to support the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to organize the Great Ceremony to meet the requirements and set goals.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that with the approval of the Secretariat to support the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to host the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak in Vietnam, the Government leaders held a meeting to deploy the work of guiding, supporting and assisting the Sangha and have directed the assignment and assignment of specific tasks to ministries, departments, branches, central and local agencies.

Vietnam has organized the Vesak Festival three times: 2008 in Hanoi, 2014 in Ninh Binh, 2019 in Ha Nam. This year, the Vesak Festival takes place in Ho Chi Minh City. The festival is an important Buddhist holiday, with the participation of delegates and high-ranking leaders of countries, having an important meaning in the process of international integration, honoring ethical values, culture, solidarity and friendship, contributing to building a peaceful and happy world .

Hosting the Vesak Festival in Vietnam contributes to introducing to international friends the image of the country and people of Vietnam as peace-loving, friendly, harmonious and united; affirming the consistent policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion of the Party and State of Vietnam, the practice of religious freedom, and introducing great achievements of historical significance after 50 years of liberation.

This is also an opportunity for world Buddhist scholars to exchange and discuss Buddhist issues, contribute to the development of world Buddhism, meet, exchange and share cooperation experiences, and affirm Vietnam's position and responsibility towards the United Nations and the international community.

The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts of ministries, branches, agencies, localities, and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the past time to actively implement the direction of the Secretariat and the Government regarding the organization of the 2025 Vesak Festival.

Emphasizing the significance of the Great Festival, the Deputy Prime Minister requested relevant ministries, branches and localities to continue to seriously implement plans and projects, effectively implement the directions of the Secretariat and the Prime Minister; ensure the completion of the work of guiding and supporting the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to organize the 2025 Vesak Festival according to assigned functions and tasks and on schedule.

At the meeting, leaders of the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions; representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, leaders of ministries, branches and localities reported on the work deployed for the Great Festival.

Deputy Minister of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Nguyen Hai Trung said that compared to the three previous times, the 2025 Vesak Festival hosted by Vietnam this time has a difference in that the Buddha's relics will be brought from India to Vietnam for enshrinement during and after the Festival.

The Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions regularly works with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, summarizes the situation, and closely coordinates with relevant ministries, branches, and localities in guiding and assisting the Sangha in implementing tasks related to the Great Festival according to the set goals and requirements./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/to-chuc-dai-le-vesak-2025-trang-nghiem-tuyet-doi-an-toan-post1033188.vnp