'Bringing compassion into policy, bringing wisdom into development orientation'

President Luong Cuong and Supreme Patriarch Thich Tri Quang at the opening ceremony of Vesak 2025 - Photo: Organizing Committee

The 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak is even more meaningful as it is held on the occasion of Vietnam celebrating the 50th anniversary of national reunification and moving towards the 80th anniversary of National Day.

At the opening ceremony, Vesak messages from the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang and from United Nations Secretary General António Guterres were sent to Buddhists and people. Along with that were congratulatory messages from Sri Lanka, India, China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos...

The core value of conscious compassion is solidarity, the ability to perceive and empathize with others. Solidarity arises from the recognition of the fundamental unity of all people, the understanding that all human beings desire well-being, happiness, and safety.

Venerable Bodhi (President of the Buddhist Association of America)

Vietnamese Buddhism protects the country and its people

In his welcoming speech, President Luong Cuong welcomed and highly appreciated the theme of the ceremony.

He said this is a message of profound significance in the context of the world facing many challenges such as conflict, inequality, climate change and social and ethical crisis.

The President said: "Vietnamese Buddhism always upholds the spirit of "protecting the nation and bringing peace to the people", and the Dharma always accompanies the nation.

Tens of thousands of monks, nuns, and Buddhists across the country not only diligently practice and propagate the Dharma, but also take the lead in many activities that benefit the country and the people, such as through charity work, social security, poverty reduction, disaster relief, environmental protection, and community health care.

The Party and State of Vietnam always appreciate and create favorable conditions for religions, including Buddhism, to operate within the legal framework, consistently implement the policy of respecting and protecting the freedom of belief and religion of all people, and consider it an important foundation for building great national unity."

The President said: "Buddha taught that true peace comes from inner peace, so peace can only be cultivated through transforming the beliefs of each individual, which in turn leads to transforming the beliefs of the whole society."

He suggested that it is necessary to put compassion into policy, bring wisdom into development orientation, and promote the spirit of selflessness and altruism, that is, doing everything not for oneself but always thinking of the interests of the masses.

The President and the delegation visited Thanh Tam Pagoda to pay homage to Buddha's relics - Photo: Organizing Committee of Vesak 2025

Buddhists around the world unite and be in harmony

In the message of the grand ceremony, Venerable Thich Tri Quang praised the great fortune of being invited to pay homage to the Buddha's relics - the crystallization of the spirit of compassion - wisdom - courage, the embodiment of selfless and altruistic vows.

At the same time, there is enough affinity to welcome and pay homage to the immortal heart of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc - a symbol of the noble sacrifice for the happiness of the nation and for the longevity of Buddhism.

Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang reads the message of the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak - Photo: GIAC NGO ONLINE

He also thanked the papers for contributing to making the Buddha's teachings clearer and more realistic in today's turbulent and hateful world.

The Venerable calls on every Buddhist to always diligently practice, enter into the Samadhi of Compassion, spread love to all living beings, light up this world with the light of compassion and wisdom, unite, be harmonious and actively work with humanity to create a truly peaceful and happy world.

Attending the Vesak Festival, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka spoke at the opening ceremony, praising Vietnam as a country that, despite suffering many serious historical injustices, has bravely paved its own path forward.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Celebration on the morning of May 6 - Photo: UN VESAK CELEBRATION 2025 Organizing Committee

Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka shared: "We are proud of the great achievements your country has made. I would like to call your country the land of resilience. I am also proud that Vietnam was chosen to host Vesak this year.

Equality occupies a high position in the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. Based on that spirit, Vietnam can be seen as a living witness of a nation that has courageously risen up thanks to the idea of ​​equality."

Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, read out the congratulatory message and stressed: "The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path taught by the Buddha have left an everlasting mark on spiritual thought not only in India but also across the world.

The Buddha's timeless teachings offer profound insights and solutions to many of the pressing challenges facing our world today - from war, violence, social unrest to climate change. The Buddha's path is one of compassion rather than conflict, harmony rather than division, and mindful sustainability rather than unbridled consumption."

The Buddha's teachings of compassion, tolerance and selfless service have deep resonance with the values ​​of the United Nations.

In an age when the world is facing many serious challenges, these timeless principles must continue to illuminate humanity's common path.

As we celebrate this sacred day, may we all be inspired to work together to heal divisions, foster solidarity, and build a more peaceful, sustainable, and harmonious world.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

Opening ceremony to pray for heroes and martyrs

Memorial service for heroes and martyrs - Photo: GIAC NGO ONLINE

The opening ceremony of the memorial service for heroes and martyrs took place at Thanh Tam Pagoda (Phat Co Don Pagoda) on May 6. Before that, the church's ritual committee invited the souls of the martyrs at the Mau Than Martyrs Memorial (Nhat Tan Commune, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) to be placed at the altar.

After the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang lit incense and prayed, the ceremony of chanting the pure altar and raising the great altar was held.

According to the plan, on May 6 and 7, the organizing committee will pray for national peace and prosperity and for the souls of heroes and martyrs twice a day, in the morning and afternoon.

The ceremony to pray for the souls of heroes and martyrs who died for independence and freedom shows the spirit of gratitude towards the tradition of "protecting the country and bringing peace to the people" of today's generation towards the previous generation. The ceremonies in the great vegetarian ceremony are conducted according to the Buddhist rituals of the three regions North - Central - South.

Worshiping the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

Many monks, nuns and Buddhists did not mind the hot weather as they lined up to worship - Photo: THANH HIEP

From 2pm on May 6, the ceremony to pay homage to the relics of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc will begin at Viet Nam Quoc Tu Pagoda (HCMC). The ceremony will last until May 10, from 8am to 11am in the morning and from 1:30pm to 5:30pm in the afternoon.

On the first day, a large number of people from all over the country arrived very early to await the important moment, the hot weather did not stop the growing crowd. Security inside and outside the main hall was tightened.

The organizers note that visitors should not bring personal belongings, cell phones, cameras, video cameras, weapons, explosives, food, drinks, or items that may disrupt order or affect the safety and solemnity of the temple.

The event of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc burning himself to protect the truth of Buddhism, demanding religious equality and freedom of belief in 1963 shocked the world. Venerable Thich Le Trang commented: "Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc burned himself to death on June 11, 1963, leaving behind an immortal heart relic, symbolizing the spirit of compassion and wisdom of Buddhism and the tradition of the Vietnamese people."

HOAI PHUONG - HO LAM - NGOC DUC

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dua-tam-tu-bi-vao-chinh-sach-mang-tri-tue-vao-dinh-huong-phat-trien-20250507090126078.htm