Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuchas inspected the preparations for the United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak 2019 at the Tam Chuc Buddhist CulturalCentre in Ba Sao commune, Kim Bang district of the northern Ha Nam province,the host of the event.
The constructionof the Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre has been stepped up recently so thatthe facility can be completed before the UN Day of Vesak 2019, which is slatedfor May 12-14.
The UN Day ofVesak 2019 expects over 10,000 participants, including 1,500 dignitaries, monks,leaders of Buddhist organisations, scientists, and researchers; as well asBuddhist followers from 90-100 countries and territories all over the globe;along with 10,000 Buddhist followers and locals of Vietnam.
PM Phuc asked HaNam and the project’s investor to ensure the project’s progress.
Although Vietnamhas successfully hosted the event twice before in 2008 and 2014, the countryshould be careful in preparation work, ensuring the success of the UN Day ofVesak 2019 and in leaving a positive impression among foreign friends, theGovernment leader stressed.
"Vesak", the Day of theFull Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to the millions ofBuddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millenniaago that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddhaattained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his 80thyear passed away.
The UN General Assembly recognisedinternationally the Day of Vesak in 1999 to acknowledge the contributions thatBuddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and ahalf millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity.
The UN Day of Vesak was first held in 2001.–VNA
VNA