On April, 28, 2014, at Quan Su pagoda, Ha Noi city, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha held the press meeting on the United Nations Day of Vesak 2014 (UNDV 2014) in Vietnam. The meeting was chaired by Most Ven. Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Chairman of ICDV and UNDV2014 International Organizing Committee.
UNDV 2014 with the theme “Buddhist perspective towards achieving the UN millennium developments goals” is hosted by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in collaboration with ICDV and UNDV2014 International Organizing Committee, and with support from the Vietnam Government. This is the second time the UNDV held in Vietnam.
The press meeting attracts the attention of more than 130 national and international press agencies
The Organizing Committee informs that preparations for United Nation Day of Vesak 2014 basically completed
Addressing at the press meeting, the Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu, Chairman of the UNDV 2014 International Organizing Committee emphasized that Vesak 2014 is an important external events, significantly contributing to enhance the role and the position of Vietnamese Buddhism in the international integration. This event will also demonstrate the position and responsibilities of Vietnam in the international community as well as the interest of the Vietnam Party and State for freedom of religion and belief, contribute to introduce Vietnam's traditional culture, history and its people as well as the Vietnam Buddhist culture to friends overseas. Simultaneously, develop spiritual tourism potentials and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and other countries in the world. This is also an opportunity for Trang An Buddhist Centre to be accredited as a world heritage by UNESCO.
Currently all the preparations for the celebration have basically been completed. All sub-committees including content, international protocols, logistics, security, decorating, reception ... are urgently checking and completing all final work to serve the upcoming celebration. The Organizing Committee and more than 2,000 well-trained student volunteers are ready to welcome international delegations to attend the ceremony. The Organizing Committee scheduled plans to ensure safety and order for Buddhists joining all activities in UN Day of Vesak 2014.
Besides a number of academic and doctrine seminars, UNDV 2014 will hold many spiritual and cultural festivals with the motto "peaceful mind – peaceful world ", with activities such as Buddhist Fairs, Buddhist Film Festival, Buddhist contemporary art exhibition, artistic performances, Buddhist cultures with the participants from many countries; Buddha bathing ceremony, candles lightening to pray for world peace ...
The opening and closing ceremonies of the the UNDV 2014 will be live broadcast on television in the morning of May 8 and in the afternoon of May 10 on VTV1 and AVG channels./.
Phương Thủy
