UN Vesak Day events in Vietnam

Three days of national Buddhist rituals and discussions for the fifth international United Nations Day of Vesak 2008 ended at the My Dinh National Convention Centre in Vietnam yesterday with a declaration on the environment, world peace and human rights.

The declaration made special reference to protecting the environment and the over-exploitation of natural resources, especially at a time of climate change; the promotion of world peace through mutual trust and respect; preventing conflict through disarmament and banning tests on nuclear weapons; and acknowledging that social and economic development cannot be secured without peace and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The declaration also stressed the growing importance of information technology to serve social interests. Representing one of three organisers of the celebrations, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem said the noble ideals of Buddhism had been reiterated in a spirit of harmony and friendship.

Khiem said tens of millions of Vietnamese Buddhists had celebrated the Buddha's birthday, enlightenment and passing into Nirvana. "Vesak is not only an international religious and cultural festival, but an opportunity for the world to understand Viet Nam's policy of religious freedom," Khiem said.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, vice president of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha, said the deep exchanges between Buddhist delegations from 74 countries and territories had made the philosophy more meaningful.

VNS