United Nations Day of Vesak 2025: Long-term vision, great aspirations

The strength that makes the Vietnamese people love peace in the era of integration and development has an important contribution from the philosophy of life.

On May 7, activities within the framework of the United Nations (UN) Vesak 2025 continued to take place in Ho Chi Minh City.

Unity and tolerance

At the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, the scientific workshop to clarify the theme of this year's UN Vesak Celebration "Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insight for World Peace and Sustainable Development" attracted the participation of about 1,000 scholars from more than 80 countries and territories.

International Conference on United Nations Vesak 2025. Photo: DANG HUY

Introducing the main theme of the conference, which is also the main theme of the 2025 UN Day of Vesak, Most Venerable, Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, Chairman of the International Committee for the Day of Vesak (ICDV), said that this is to honor the great contributions of the Buddha to human history, while respecting the achievements of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of national reunification. This theme reflects the vision of the UN and the aspiration of the Vietnamese Government in creating peace and sustainable development under the light of the Buddha's teachings.

Delegates present their papers. Photo: LE VINH

Most Venerable Thich Giac Duyen, Director of the Center for Religious Studies under the Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute, said that Buddhist wisdom with core values ​​such as compassion, solidarity, tolerance and wisdom plays a key role in building a peaceful and sustainable society. When the spirit of solidarity and tolerance is widely practiced, people will live in love and understanding, thereby achieving inner peace - reducing anxiety and sadness as well as nurturing wisdom and compassion.

Most Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, shares the view that the values ​​of solidarity, tolerance, compassion, and respect for human dignity can help build a society free of conflict and injustice, while protecting and developing the living environment to serve the common good of all humanity. When these are achieved, Buddhism not only helps solve current problems but also creates a solid foundation for a bright, peaceful, and sustainable future.

Power in the New Era

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Cong Thuong (Saigon University), with the ideology of tolerance, peace, encouraging good, preventing evil, the humanistic ideology of Buddhism contributes to awakening conscience, gradually reducing the bad part in each person, and developing and spreading the good part.

"To maintain lasting happiness and peace, each person needs to practice according to the Buddha's teachings. Applying the spirit of Buddhist teachings in the community will create harmony, happiness and contribute to maintaining peace and sustainable development for humanity" - Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Cong Thuong expressed his opinion.

Most Venerable, Dr. Thich Phuoc Dat, Permanent Deputy Director of the Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute, shared that compassion combined with wisdom, love coupled with reason is the foundation of the philosophy of life of Vietnamese Buddhists throughout the ages. Vietnamese Buddhists, or more broadly, the Vietnamese people, depending on the historical needs of the nation, have expressed their philosophy of life and action. At the same time, they have achieved heroic and glorious feats in the flow of national history. That is also the strength that makes the Vietnamese people love peace in the era of striving for integration and development.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thi Tinh (People's Public Security Academy) stated that Buddhism is the religion of compassion, wisdom, and the light that guides the masses and Buddhists to enlightenment and liberation. Arousing compassion and practicing the Noble Eightfold Path is the true path to building a peaceful world. In it, people treat each other and all living beings with boundless love and altruism. This is an effective way to handle the relationship between religion and politics, especially in the lesson of promoting spiritual resources. The value of compassion and Buddhist philosophy of life helps stabilize the government, create harmony and joy in society, and bring happiness to the people.

Focus of joint efforts

Venerable Dr. Jinwol Lee, member of ICDV, emphasized that to build a culture of peace and love, people need to learn to understand and treat each other well in their daily lives. This does not only come from individual efforts but also requires systemic changes to create more equitable and inclusive societies. "By promoting policies and activities that prioritize the well-being of all people, we can create a world where compassion is at the heart of our collective efforts," Venerable Dr. Jinwol Lee said.

According to Venerable Thich Nu Hang Lien, PhD, Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, cultivating a peaceful mind not only benefits each individual but also contributes to creating a peaceful world. Peace begins with each awakened and loving heart with inner peace. When each person in society lives with peace of mind, generosity and tolerance, they will not only help themselves achieve happiness but also contribute to building a world where people live in mutual respect and harmony.

Professor Nguyen Hung Hau (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics) shares the view that tolerance is the foundation for lasting peace and sustainable development, and is also the path to enlightenment in Buddhism. According to him, tolerance towards all beings is a path towards enlightenment and when leaders practice tolerance, the world will move closer to sustainable peace.

"According to the latest plan, the time to worship Buddha's relics at Thanh Tam Pagoda, Binh Chanh District will last until 10:00 a.m. on May 8. After that, the relics will be invited to Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh) before being enshrined at Quan Su Pagoda, Tam Chuc Pagoda in the North and then returned to India.

Strong link

Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, shared that the spirit of solidarity in Buddhism is not only the connection between individuals, but also the connection between people in a larger community - the human community. When individuals truly understand and practice this value, they will become a solid link in the long chain of efforts for solidarity, harmony and global prosperity.

Feel more clearly a peaceful, profound and creative Vietnam

In Thu Duc City on the evening of May 7, more than 3,000 delegates and international guests attended the international Buddhist music and art exchange program.

The concert featured many famous names such as People's Artist My Hang, Meritorious Artist Van Khanh, Meritorious Artist Dang Duong, singer Duc Tuan, singer Ho Quynh Huong, singer Ung Hoang Phuc. Along with that were many art troupes from India, China, Korea, Cambodia, Thailand...

With the theme of honoring spiritual values, love and peace, the performances were elaborately staged, harmoniously combining symphonic music, folk music and contemporary style with modern stage effects and unique fine arts. The program brought a deep artistic space, leading the audience into the world of Buddhism through the language of music.

The event is considered a convergence of multinational Buddhist culture, bringing rich artistic experiences and strengthening solidarity among Buddhist communities around the world.

The organizers emphasized that the program is an opportunity for international friends to better perceive a peaceful, profound and creative Vietnam - where religion and life blend together, where each melody carries a message of awareness and love.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/dai-le-vesak-lien-hop-quoc-2025-tam-nhin-xa-khat-vong-lon-1018636.html