United Nations Day of Vesak

The UN Day of Vesak 2019 will be held at the Tam Chuc Buddhist Culture Centre in Kim Bang district, the northern province of Ha Nam from May 12-14 (Photo: VNA)

'Vesak' is the year’s most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It was 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 it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his 80th year passed away (Photo: VNA)

The UN General Assembly internationally recognised the Day of Vesak in 1999, with the first being held in 2001, to acknowledge the contributions that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam has successfully hosted the event twice before in Hanoi in 2008 and in Ninh Binh province in 2014 (Photo: VNA)

Dove release ceremony to pray for peace at the 11th UN Day of Vesak, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh, May 8, 2014 (Photo: VNA)

Candle lighting ceremony to pray for peace at the 11th UN Day of Vesak, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh, May 10, 2014 (Photo: VNA)

(Photo: VNA)

Candle lighting ceremony to pray for peace the UN Day of Vesak 2008 held in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Pilgrims to Yen Tu, the Buddhist land at the UN Day of Vesak 2008, in the northern province of Quang Ninh (Photo: VNA)

Requiem for peace at the UN Day of Vesak 2008 held in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Delegates attend the UN Day of Vesak 2008 in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Procession of Buddha on Hanoi streets in the framework of the UN Day of Vesak 2014 (Photo: VNA)

Procession of Buddha on Hanoi streets in the framework of the UN Day of Vesak 2014 (Photo: VNA)

Buddha bathing ceremony and requiem for world peace and prosperity, Bai Dinh pagoda, Ninh Binh province, May 9, 2014 (Photo: VNA)