Vesak 2019: A testament to a peaceful and friendly Vietnam.

Representatives of the United Nations Vesak Organization read the Ha Nam-Vesak 2019 Declaration.

Venerable Brahmapundit shared that the hospitality of the Government, the Buddhist Church, and the people of Vietnam helped the delegates attending the Grand Ceremony have wonderful memories and experiences.

The grand ceremony was honored with the presence of leading political figures from various countries, including the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the President of Myanmar, the Prime Minister of Nepal, the Vice President and Chairman of the Upper House of India, the Chairman of the Upper House of Bhutan, and esteemed leaders of Buddhist monastic orders and organizations from across the continents. This gathering affirmed the enduring value of Buddhism's doctrine of dependent origination, harmony, and balance on the middle path.

Over the past few days, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Buddhists from both within and outside the country have come to attend the Grand Ceremony. Along with the involvement of the Government, ministries, departments, and local authorities, hundreds of volunteers have been mobilized to participate in welcoming guests and preparing logistics, contributing to the success of the Grand Ceremony.

In his message to this year's United Nations Vesak Day, the UN Secretary-General emphasized that in commemorating Vesak, we collectively generate inspiring energy to renew our commitment to building a world of peace and true values ​​for all.

In his opening address, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Secretary of the Economic and Social Committee of the United Nations outlined the commitment to the values ​​that the United Nations is striving for in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, with contributions from the Organizing Committee for the United Nations Vesak Celebration (ICDV).

Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and Vice Chairman of the International Organizing Committee of the 2019 United Nations Vesak Celebration, stated that the 2019 International Vesak Celebration Scientific Conference, a culmination of the wisdom and enthusiasm of over 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories, along with more than 3,000 venerable monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, has been summarized in the Ha Nam Declaration 2019, a commitment of the global Buddhist community to contribute to building peace for humanity.

The theme "Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibility for a Sustainable Society" speaks to the immense significance of the Vesak celebration commemorating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death, along with the affirmation of the core values ​​of peace and wisdom in the Buddha's teachings. More than ever, these values ​​need to be disseminated in today's society to build sustainable development and genuine peace for humanity.

According to Venerable Thich Nhat Tu, a member of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Organizing Committee for the 2019 United Nations Vesak Celebration, we are facing challenges worldwide, from armed conflicts and environmental degradation to changes in family and social relationships, mental illnesses, and social and economic inequalities.

These challenges compel us to collaborate and demonstrate responsibility in addressing global issues on a foundation of shared responsibility.

In this context, the Buddhist perspective on global leadership and social governance for a sustainable future plays a leading role, not only in addressing world problems but also in guiding the world on the right path, bringing benefits to humanity.

In addition to the main theme, the Grand Ceremony included five thematic workshops on (i) Mindful leadership for sustainable peace; (ii) Buddhist approaches to harmonious families, healthcare, and sustainable societies; (iii) Buddhist approaches to global moral education; (iv) Buddhism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution; and (v) Buddhist approaches to responsible consumption and sustainable development.

Nearly 400 papers from international scholars and 110 papers in Vietnamese were submitted to the conference and were discussed enthusiastically by scholars in the sessions, focusing on analyzing Buddhist teachings, guiding people towards peace, avoiding conflict, and working together towards a better society and a more sustainable world.

Venerable Thich Duc Thien read the Ha Nam-Vesak 2019 Declaration.

The grand ceremony issued the Ha Nam Declaration 2019, conveying a message of peace, sustainable society, and other related issues based on the Buddha's teachings on compassion and wisdom; and commitments to shared responsibility for a sustainable society.

In this Declaration, delegates pledged to assume increasingly active roles at the local and global levels; to share greater responsibility with society in supporting, building, maintaining, and developing sustainable societies amidst increasingly profound and complex social, political, economic, and cultural crises; and to revitalize the concept of "engaged Buddhism" by focusing on global activities and participating more actively in international organizations.

To promote the concept of shared responsibility, the delegates resolved to expand the idea of ​​compassion, good deeds, and support to help those outside the Buddhist community without any discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, and gender.

The delegates also emphasized the need for cooperation with international agencies to achieve the ultimate goal of Buddhism, which is the transformation of suffering; to disseminate the five precepts of Buddhism; and to promote the active participation of local communities in translating them into concrete goals as the foundation of shared responsibility for better living conditions worldwide.

To collectively create sustainable societies, delegates expressed their determination to foster compatibility among communities by recognizing the Buddha's teachings' ability to promote the sustainable development of human potential; and to revitalize the integration of the three pillars of Buddhist development: environmental protection, economic development, and social justice.

Panoramic view of Tam Chuc Pagoda (Kim Bang district, Ha Nam province)

Delivering a message of mindful leadership for sustainable peace, the Declaration emphasizes a dialogue-based and non-violent approach to peacebuilding, rejecting the old model of "the strong oppressing the weak"; it encourages concepts of compassion and wisdom as a foundation for avoiding and resolving disputes or conflicts.

Concluding a successful and fulfilling United Nations Vesak Celebration, as shared by Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh at the closing session, “We hope for a bright future for humanity and that social instabilities such as war, ethnic and religious conflicts, human suffering, the gap between rich and poor, poverty, and climate change… will be gradually overcome. The beautiful ideals of the United Nations Vesak Celebration will continue to yield profound and immense benefits, so that the Buddha’s message of peace and love will always shine brightly.”

The Vesak 2019 Buddhist celebration was a great success.

The 2019 Vesak Grand Celebration not only presented to international friends the image of a peaceful and friendly Vietnam, always seeking friendship with other countries, but also served as vivid evidence of the Government's commitment to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals; especially, it demonstrated the picture of religious freedom in Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh affirmed that Vietnam consistently implements a policy of respecting and guaranteeing the right to freedom of religion and belief, the right to follow or not follow any religion, and the right to normal religious activities as prescribed by law. Religions in Vietnam have always been closely associated with and accompanied the nation, making many contributions to the cause of national construction and defense, and actively participating in solving problems in social life such as charity, education, and healthcare.

"Vietnam will continue to strive and make greater efforts, implementing even better policies to constantly improve and enhance the lives of its people, especially the poor, those in remote areas, and ethnic minorities, gradually achieving social equality and building a democratic, just, and civilized Vietnam," according to the Deputy Prime Minister.