On the sideline of the 16^th UN Day of Vesak 2019, Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng hosted on May 13 a reception for a Buddhist delegation from the Republic of Korea (RoK).

As part of the 16th United Nations Day for Vesak (Vesak 2019), a lantern festival was held on May 13 night to pray for global peace.

International and Vietnamese delegates to the UN Day of Vesak 2019 discussed together on May 13 the main theme “Buddhism’s approaches to Buddhism's Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies.”

An Egyptian court on Sunday sentenced two men to death and eight others to between three years and life in prison over an attack on a church and Christian-owned shop in Cairo that killed 10 people.

The celebration of the Buddha’s Birthday 2019 is taking place in Da Nang city from May 9 until May 20.

French lawmakers on May 10 approved a controversial law for restoring Notre Dame within five years, after the famous Paris cathedral sustained major fire damage last month.

The Vietnam Pure-Land Buddhist Association successfully convened on May 11-12 its 3^rd congress for the 2019-2024 term in Ho Chi Minh city.

Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng hosted on May 12 separate receptions for foreign delegations to the 16^th UN Day of Vesak 2019 from China, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.

The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 has solemnly opened on May 12 at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Kim Bang district of northern Ha Nam province.

Hanoi (VNA) - More than 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories across the world and over 20,000 Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers attended the opening ceremony of the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 on May 12 at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Kim Bang district of northern Ha Nam province.

This year’s full moon season, Việt Nam is honoured to host the United Nations Vesak Festival – a celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and entrance to nirvana. In addition to a diverse programme of activities including seminars, cultural events, rituals and sacred services, Việt Nam also aims to spread meaningful messages of compassion and wisdom in global leadership and knowledge on a sustainable society through the Vesak 2019 logo.

A postage stamp was launched by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on May 11 to celebrate the UN Day of Vesak 2019.

Pope Francis has issued new rules obligating priests and nuns to report incidents of abuse or cover-ups to church authorities, saying, "The crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful."

Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Vũ Chiến Thắng on May 10 visited Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex to inspect preparations for the UN Day of Vesak 2019, just two days ahead of the UN Buddhist event.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University hosted an international conference on Buddhist chaplaincy and faith-based social services from 4–5 May. The conference was co-sponsored by the International Center of Chinese Buddhist Culture and Education in the US and the International Center for Buddhist Studies at Renmin University in Beijing.