Society

UN Day of Vesak 2019 wraps up, conversing compassion

The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 wrapped up at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Kim Bang district, northern Ha Nam province, on May 14, with the adoption of the Ha Nam Declaration that promotes world peace, harmony, and improvements for all people.
UN Day of Vesak 2019 wraps up, conversing compassion ảnh 1The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 wrapped up at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Kim Bang district, northern Ha Nam province, on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019wrapped up at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Kim Bang district, northern Ha Nam province,on May 14, with the adoption of the Ha Nam Declaration that promotes worldpeace, harmony, and improvements for all people.

International Buddhist leaders, delegates, scholars and leaders of VietnameseParty, State and Government attended the closing ceremony.

Addressing the event, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Vice Chairmanof the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha highlighted the themeof the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 -- “Buddhist approach to global leadership andshared responsibilities for sustainable societies”, saying the eventcontributes to realizing the UN’s goals to be achieved by 2030.

The success of the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 celebration will helpthe VBS strengthen cooperation and friendship with the world Buddhistcommunity, he said.

For his part, Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of theInternational Council for Day of Vesak called the three-day celebrations “awonderful time together” thanks to the hospitality and generosity of the Government,the VBS and people of Vietnam.
“Vesak 2019 celebration has been a great success. You have set ahigher standard of Vesak celebration this time, from our observation,” he said.

He took the opportunity to congratulate the VBS on hosting theevent and expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Government and people,saying “We all have a good time and good memory of Vietnam. I believe most ofus would like to come back again for the nation’s 4th host of Vesak in thefuture.”

According to Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, the host of the UNDay of Vesak in 2020 has yet been decided.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh addressed theclosing ceremony, speaking highly of the outcomes of the 16th UN Day of Vesak2019, including the adoption of the Ha Nam Declaration, presentations thatdealt with various topics, the contribution of encouraging comments, andexperience sharing from international and local scholars and Buddhist leaders.
“The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 is the rendezvous for us to shareour passion for promoting peace, happiness, and improvements,” the Deputy PMsaid.

Over the past 30 years of “Doi Moi”, Vietnam has continuouslyensured the freedom of religions, which has contributed to the nation buildingand development, he underlined.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May,is the year’s most sacred day to the millions of Buddhists around the world. Itwas on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago that the Buddha was born.It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and itwas on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha passed away.

The UN’s commemoration of Vesak has been held three times in Vietnam sofar. Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province ofNinh Binh in 2014.

The 16th United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 brought together 1,650international delegates from 112 countries and territories worldwide.-VNA
VNA
#16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 #Tam Chuc Pagoda #Ha Nam province #Ha Nam Declaration #Buddhist leaders #Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu #Day of the Full Moon #Vietnam #VietnamPlus #Viet Nam News
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