'Each person should be a messenger of Buddha'

On May 12-14, the United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 was held at Tam Chuc Pagoda, Ha Nam Province with the theme: Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the opening ceremony with Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, Chairman of the International Organizing Committee of the United Nations Day of Vesak; Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Vice Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Council, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Vesak 2019 in Vietnam... Former Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Van An and former Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan were also present.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the opening ceremony on May 12. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

After chanting Buddha's name together to commemorate the merits of the Buddha, the delegates listened to the message of Most Venerable Elder Thich Pho Tue (Sect Leader of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha). Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue emphasized that Vesak 2019 is a precious opportunity to promote the value of the heritage that the Buddha left for humanity, including the values ​​of wisdom, compassion, the philosophy of selflessness, and the spirit of non-violence.

The Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist Sangha recalled the 2,000-year history of Vietnamese Buddhism, which through the Dinh, Tien Le, Ly, and Tran dynasties has become the ideological foundation of life. Since then, Buddhism has continued to promote its quintessence, accompanying the nation.

"The golden age of Buddhism is also the prosperous period of the nation," wrote Supreme Patriarch Thich Pho Tue, hoping that delegates attending Vesak 2019 will discuss and "put forth the most fundamental solutions originating from the human heart to successfully implement the global sustainable development goals that the United Nations is aiming for."

Venerable Thich Thien Nhon. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Chairman of the Vesak 2019 Organizing Committee, affirmed that the middle path, combining compassion and wisdom that the Buddha proposed, is still the truth and the guiding principle that brings meaning to the lives of millions of people around the world.

He stated that the world is facing many conflicts, terrorism, war, inequality, and environmental crisis. The rapid development of science and technology is changing all aspects of social life and traditional structures, so it is even more necessary to promote the core values ​​of Buddhism. That is the spirit of tolerance, selflessness, altruism, harmony, and peace.

Therefore, he called on world Buddhism to unite, engage in worldly action, and share therapeutic solutions to social challenges in the present era.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that Vesak is an opportunity for everyone to meditate and contemplate the Buddha's teachings, together find solutions, and build a better world.

"Let us commemorate and honor the Buddha, reflect on the truth of peace, tolerance, and compassion, and promote that truth in life, resolve conflicts, and contribute to the development of nations and peoples," the Prime Minister said, calling on each person to be the Buddha's messenger to realize the message of peace and love in life, and contribute to resolving conflicts and suffering.

More than 1,600 international delegates attended Vesak 2019. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also said that the ultimate goal of Buddhism is to achieve a harmonious society based on justice, friendship and peaceful coexistence.

According to him, the world is getting richer but one-fifth of the world's population is extremely poor. The United Nations' development goals are facing many challenges. The environment is increasingly polluted. Terrorism continues to occur, threatening peace and social order. In the midst of such turmoil, the concept of balance in the Buddhist middle path is increasingly asserting its value.

"Find a middle way to save the world from chaos. The Buddha's message emphasized the balance between man and nature, matter and spirit, daily work and the future. Buddhism does not support greed, anger and ignorance because these are the causes of world crisis," he said, adding that peace can be achieved if determined.

Vesak 2019 held at Tam Chuc Pagoda, Ha Nam.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Vesak 2019 at 11:00 a.m., Mr. Tran Thanh Man, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, said that when the world is facing many great challenges such as conflict, poverty, and climate change, promoting the Buddha's thoughts will multiply good values; for a world of peace, cooperation, and progress.

He hopes that Vesak is an opportunity for everyone to understand the value of Buddhism and act towards a fair, democratic and sustainable society.