Vesak 2025 - spreading Buddhist wisdom for peace and sustainable development

From May 6 to 8, 2025, the United Nations Vesak 2025 - the largest cultural, spiritual and academic event of global Buddhism - will officially take place at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City.

With the theme "Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development", this year's event marks the fourth time Vietnam has hosted the United Nations Day of Vesak and the first time it was held in Ho Chi Minh City.

The meeting point of the global Buddhist community

The 2025 Vesak Festival takes place in a special context when Vietnam has just solemnly celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and is looking forward to the 80th Anniversary of National Day September 2 (1945 - 2025). Therefore, the Festival has a sacred and profound meaning, an opportunity to affirm the historical and current role of Vietnamese Buddhism in the cause of peace , national development and international integration.

The 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival was solemnly held in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Organizing Committee said that the 2025 Vesak Festival will welcome about 2,700 delegates, including 1,250 international delegates from 85 countries and territories. The event will be attended by many heads of state, leaders of international Buddhist organizations, and world-renowned scholars and researchers. The 2025 Vesak Festival is not only an occasion to celebrate three important events in the life of the Buddha (Birth, Enlightenment, and Nirvana), but also a bridge for cultural, academic and spiritual exchanges between Buddhists around the world.

Sharing about the significance of the Vesak Festival at the recent press conference, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Council of Patriarchs, Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Organizing Committee of the United Nations Vesak Festival 2025 emphasized: “This is a precious opportunity for the world Buddhist community to understand each other and share Buddhist values, traditions, and spiritual ideals in Buddhism. The wisdom that the Buddha enlightened has the ability to help the world become more harmonious, peaceful, socially sustainable, safe, and livable.”

Vietnam - country of peace and integration

Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Executive Council, Vice President and General Secretary of the National Organizing Committee said: “This is the first time the Vesak Festival has been held in Ho Chi Minh City, a dynamic, creative and prosperous city after 50 years of national reunification. The festival is an opportunity to introduce the image of Vietnam as a peaceful, friendly, united and sustainably developed country with the companionship of Buddhism.”

In particular, with this year's theme focusing on peace and sustainable development, Vesak 2025 is also an opportunity to affirm the role of Buddhism in contributing to the implementation of the United Nations' sustainable development goals, while highlighting Vietnam's active role in the international community.

Most Venerable Dr. Tampalawela Dhammaratana, Vice President of the International Organizing Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak (ICDV), expressed his admiration for Vietnam's preparations: “Today, when I come here, I see that the promises have come true. I am very impressed with the professionalism in the preparation work of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. The Vietnamese Government has provided all its support for the success of the Vesak Festival. Millions of people who cannot come here this time will look to the media, through the lens of you - journalists, to feel the atmosphere of Vesak 2025”.

Not only is it of international stature, Vesak 2025 is also an academic forum that brings together many renowned researchers and scholars. The seminars revolve around topics of ethics, education, environment, sustainable development and peace, contributing to enriching the treasure of human knowledge from the foundation of Buddhist thought.

Venerable Phra Medhivajarapundit, Deputy Secretary General of ICDV, commented: “Vietnam is a country with a long-standing Buddhist tradition, making significant contributions to global Buddhism. Through three successful hostings of Vesak, Vietnam has affirmed its capacity and prestige. We expect that Vesak 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City will be a bright spot for harmony and development, while contributing to enhancing the position of Vietnamese Buddhism in the international arena.”

In addition to academic activities, the spiritual and cultural festival program at Vesak 2025 is also rich and unique. These include the Buddha Relic Worship Ceremony; the Gratitude Ceremony to Commemorate the Heroes and Martyrs on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification; the 500m2 Great Buddha Flag Raising Ceremony ^; the International Lantern Festival to Pray for National Peace and Prosperity, expected to light 35,000 lanterns with 12,000 participants; an Exhibition of national treasures in the field of Buddhism; an international Buddhist music and art exchange program with the participation of many domestic and foreign artists...

Vietnam’s hosting of Vesak 2025 is also a clear demonstration of the Party and State’s policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion. Through this event, international friends can witness with their own eyes the rich and harmonious religious life in Vietnam, as well as the achievements that the religious community in general, and Buddhism in particular, have achieved over the past half century.

Vesak 2025 is not only a festival for Buddhists but also an event to spread the message of solidarity, tolerance, peace and cooperation among peoples and religions around the world. Through that, Vietnam continues to affirm itself as a trustworthy destination, a country rich in identity, peaceful, developed, integrated and always accompanying global progressive values.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Tieu-diem-van-hoa/dai-le-vesak-2025-lan-toa-tue-giac-phat-giao-vi-hoa-binh-va-phat-trien-ben-vung-i767267/