The Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in the northern province of Ha Nam was illuminated with tens of thousands of flower-shaped lanterns on May 13. (Photo: VNA)
Ha Nam (VNA) – The Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in the northernprovince of Ha Nam was illuminated with tens of thousands of flower-shapedlanterns on May 13 night during the 16th United Nations Day forVesak (Vesak 2019) to pray for global peace.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign AffairsPham Binh Minh, leaders of ministries, branches and localities, and manydomestic and foreign Buddhist followers.
In his remarks, Deputy PM Minh expressed his delight to welcome foreigndelegates who come to honour the values of Buddhism during the Vesak 2019.
He stressed that Vesak 2019 is an important event in the religious life ofBuddhist followers worldwide, and it offers an opportunity for them to meet andpervade Buddhism values of tolerance, altruism, harmony and peace.
As the world is facing grave risks of wars, conflicts, stability and naturaldisasters which drive millions of people to unhappy life, he called theBuddhist followers and people all around the world to intensify friendship,tighten cooperation and promote values of Buddhism to build peace, contributingto settling challenges and conflicts and alleviating poverty.
He hoped that Vietnamese people and Buddhist followers will continue enhancing Buddhism’squintessence, enrich Vietnamese culture as well as well respect currentregulations on religion, making contributions to building a peaceful Vietnamwith sustainable development.
"Vesak",the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the year’s most sacred day tothe millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two anda half millennia ago that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak thatthe Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that theBuddha passed away.
The UN’s commemoration of Vesak has been held for three times in Vietnam sofar. Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of NinhBinh in 2014.
The Vesak 2019 brings together 1,650 international delegates from 112 countriesand territories worldwide.-VNA
VNA
