Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)'s Patronage Council and Executive Council held a ceremony at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi on May 12 to celebrate Lord Buddha’s 2569th birthday.
In his speech, Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice President of the VBS’s Executive Council and Chairman of the VBS’s Information and Communications Committee, affirmed that the UN Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025 was a global spiritual and cultural gathering, where humanity embrace the universal values of Buddhist insights – compassion, wisdom, and peace for today’s world. This marked the fourth time Vietnam hosted the celebrations, with major events held at the Vietnam Buddhist University in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6-8.
He said this year’s theme “Solidarity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development” delivered a timely message with profound humanistic significance that the Buddhist community wishes to convey to the world.
Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang noted Vietnam's pride in hosting the 2025 Vesak amidst the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification. He highlighted Buddhism's historical contributions to Vietnam's victory, with the sacrifices of many Buddhist followers, while stressing how the nation's half-century journey demonstrates that solidarity and tolerance have fostered peace and propelling the nation to a new era – that of the nation’s rise.
The VBS took the occasion to call on the global Buddhist community diligently practice Buddhism, nurture inner peace, spread compassion and wisdom, and make meaningful contributions to world peace and human happiness.
The same day, a delegation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Central Committee came to Quan Su Pagoda and extended congratulations on the Buddha's birthday celebrations./.
20th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations wraps up with landmark declaration
Underlining Buddhism’s response to pressing global challenges, the declaration features contents about solidarity and tolerance for human dignity, cultivation of inner peace for global peace, healing through mindfulness and reconciliation, and promotion of solidarity and cooperation efforts for global harmony, among others.
