Vietnam hosts the United Nations Vesak for the third time

Representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and representatives of the International Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak held a press conference to provide information about Vesak 2019. Photo: Quy Doan

The Chairman of the International Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak, Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Brahmapundit said: "The United Nations Day of Vesak is the largest and most important event of world Buddhism. This is not simply an occasion for Buddhists to pray together for the best things to come to this planet, but also an international forum, where national leaders from all over the world gather to discuss and analyze issues related to religion, society... to aim for harmony, solidarity, and contribute to the common peace and prosperity of the world."

Taking place from May 12-14, 2019 at Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Center in Ba Sao commune (Kim Bang district, Ha Nam province), the 2019 United Nations Vesak Celebration chooses the theme "Buddhist approach to global leadership and shared responsibilities for sustainable societies".

The event is expected to welcome more than 10,000 participants, including 1,500 dignitaries and leaders of Buddhist churches and sects, professors, doctors, researchers, Buddhist scholars as well as Buddhist practitioners of many Buddhist traditions from about 90-100 countries and territories around the world and 10,000 Buddhists and Vietnamese people.

In addition to the main theme-based seminars, the 2019 Vesak Festival will focus on analyzing and discussing five sub-themes: Mindful leadership and sustainable society; Buddhist approaches to harmonious families, health care and sustainable society; Buddhist approaches to global education on ethics; Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Buddhism; Buddhist approaches to responsible consumption and sustainable development.

According to Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Co-Head of the 2019 Vesak Organizing Committee, Vietnam has previously hosted the United Nations Vesak Festival twice, in 2008 in Hanoi and 2014 in Ninh Binh, leaving a deep impression on international friends about the image of the country, people, culture and religious life in Vietnam.

The United Nations Day of Vesak is one of the international cultural activities of the United Nations to honor the humanistic values ​​and peace of humanity. On December 15, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized the Day of Vesak, also known as the Day of the Three Harmonies (commemorating the birth of the Buddha, the Buddha's enlightenment and the Buddha's passing into Nirvana). Accordingly, the International Organizing Committee of the United Nations Day of Vesak has officially become an organization under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission since 2013.

This important event is considered by the world Buddhist community as a precious opportunity to spread the Buddha's message of compassion, peace, and non-violence throughout the world.