In the early morning of May 8, 2014, at the main hall of Bai Dinh pagoda in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, the opening ceremony was solemnly held for the UN Day of Vesak 2014. The event's message is “Buddhist Perspective towards Achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals”.
Attending the ceremony were high-ranking state leaders and Buddhist dignitaries including Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Sinh Hùng, Most Venerable Thích Đức Nghiệp, Deputy Partriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Discernment Council, and large numbers of state officials, Buddhis monks and nuns and Buddhist followers in the country.
On international guests, the opening ceremony saw the Prime Minister of Shri Lanka, embassies’ representatives and more than 1,000 delegates who are Buddhist leaders of Buddhist churches and schools, Buddhist scholars and a large number of Buddhist followers from 95 countries and territories.
The opening ceremony was started with art performances to welcome delegates and international guests, then followed with opening speeches by Chairman of International Organizing Committee for UN Day of Vesak 2014 and founding Chairman of International Committee for UN Day of Vesak, and messages from Most Venerable Thích Phổ Tuệ - Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and countries’ state leaders.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Sinh Hùng said, "The organization of UN Day of Vesak 2014 aims at honoring the Buddha’s profound values on equality, altruism and compassion that have been in existence for more than 2,500 years. Via this event we hope to strengthen friendship and unity throughout the world, to push back hunger and poverty, relieve human sufferings and lead people to peaceful and happy life”.
Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu, Chairman of the International Organizing Committee for the UN Day of Vesak 2014 stated: “Our world is facing a wide range of unexpected crisis and natural calamities. In that context, the UN Day of Vesak 2014’s millennium development goals has profound significance more than ever. Buddhism with heritage of compassion, love, tolerance and nonviolence can make great contributions to world’s peace and harmony nowadays”.
Delegates at the opening ceremony also heard the message by Most Venerable Thích Phổ Tuệ - Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha , delivered by Most Venerable Thích Đức Nghiệp. His message stated: "Celebrating Vesak 2014 is a good opportunity for our country as well as the Vietnamese Buddhist community to work in collaboration with the international Buddhist community for spreading Buddhist dharma and promoting Buddhist studies for the sake of all human beings.”
The UN General Secretary's message, delivered by UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Pratibha Mehta, said: "I particularly welcome the theme of your celebrations in
Assoc. Prof., Dr. Phạm Dũng, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs cum Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs delivered a welcoming speech and said “The UN Day of Vesak celebration is a cultural and religious festival held within the UN framework, aimed at honoring values of culture, ethics and unity for peace in order to build a life of peace and happiness according to Buddhist perspectives. This is the second UN Day of Vesak celebration held in
The opening ceremony ended with a Buddha-bathing ceremony, and the release of birds and balloons to pray for the world peace.
The celebrations will continue with international conferences, meetings, and activities such as chanting and prayer for world peace, a candle-lit procession, parades, Buddhist cultural performances, Buddhist art exhibition and an ecological tour to visit the cultural heritage of Buddhism in Viet Nam./
PV
