Spreading the spirit of solidarity, peace and humanity

On May 6, the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 solemnly opened at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: VGP

Vesak is the most important event of the world Buddhist community, commemorating three sacred milestones in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni: his birth, enlightenment and nirvana (the Buddha's trinity). This is not only an occasion to honor the profound spiritual values ​​of Buddhism, but also a time for humanity to reflect, spread the spirit of compassion, wisdom and act together for a world of peace, harmonious and sustainable development.

This year, Vietnam is honored to be chosen for the fourth time to host the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak, with the theme: "Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights on World Peace and Human Development." The event demonstrates the pride of Vietnamese Buddhism, while affirming the country's increasingly prominent position in the international arena - as a symbol of peace, humanity and the spirit of deep integration.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Council - Photo: Giac Ngo

Buddhism – A stream that runs through the history of the nation

According to Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Council, history has recorded the great companionship and contributions of Buddhism throughout the nation's journey of building and defending the country. Buddhism not only blends with the national cultural identity, but also fosters the foundation of morality, patriotism and compassion in the souls of the Vietnamese people.

The Buddhist philosophy of solidarity and tolerance has become a core part of Vietnamese identity - where the values ​​of love, sharing and "helping each other" have been nurtured through many generations. The Venerable Elder emphasized: "Solidarity is a priceless heritage, a precious tradition of every Vietnamese person; it is the strength that helps the nation overcome all challenges, achieving glorious victories throughout history."

The 2025 Vesak Festival is an opportunity for the world to better understand the image of a peaceful, friendly and tolerant Vietnam. This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm to the international community its consistent policy on freedom of belief and respect for the ethical and humanistic values ​​of religions, including Buddhism - which is deeply attached to the spiritual life of the people.

The event is also a place for spiritual convergence, a vivid demonstration of the active integration of Vietnamese Buddhism into the world. Through this, the good values ​​of religion and national traditions will continue to spread, contributing to building a prosperous future and sustainable development.

The harmonious combination of religion and nation helps spread the wise teachings of Buddha to create peace and happiness - Photo: VGP

Accompanying the nation in the era of development

Minister of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Dao Ngoc Dung said: "Within the framework of the 2025 Vesak Festival, activities to pay tribute to and commemorate heroes and martyrs; visit and give gifts to children in difficult circumstances at social protection centers; international lantern festival to pray for national peace, world peace... contribute to spreading the humanistic and benevolent values ​​of Buddhism. At the same time, it is an opportunity to demonstrate the harmony between international Buddhism and Vietnamese Buddhism, joining hands to cultivate a civilized world, sustainable development, harmony between material and spiritual values; in line with the policy of the Party and State of Vietnam - always caring, ensuring that no one is left behind."

Through the Great Ceremony, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha continues to promote its role in charitable, humanitarian and social welfare activities – practical actions imbued with the spirit of compassion of Buddhism. Through this, Buddhism affirms its social function in the new era, when the Dharma is not only limited to the individual journey, but also spreads into actions for the community.

The spirit of solidarity and joint efforts of monks, nuns and Buddhists at home and abroad is a solid foundation for building the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to develop more and more stably, solemnly and strongly. Promoting the spirit of accompanying the nation, Buddhism makes an important contribution to the country's development, especially in the period when the Vietnamese people are strongly rising and affirming the country's position in the international arena, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung emphasized.

The harmonious combination of religion and nation not only helps Vietnamese Buddhism affirm its important role in social life but also spreads the wise teachings of Buddha to create peace and happiness for humanity. This is also the strength that connects the community, all classes of people, all eras, contributing to building and promoting traditional cultural awareness, consolidating the great national unity bloc.

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly (UN) passed Resolution 54/115, officially recognizing Vesak as an international holiday. Since then, Vesak has been celebrated annually at the UN headquarters in New York and offices around the world, attracting the participation of dozens of countries.

By 2024, the United Nations had organized 25 Vesak celebrations at the UN headquarters in New York since 2000, while the world Buddhist community through the International Committee for the Day of Vesak (ICDV) had organized 20 UN Vesak celebrations, including 15 in Thailand, 1 in Sri Lanka in 2017 and 4 in Vietnam: UN Vesak 2008 in Hanoi with 87 countries; UN Vesak 2014 in Ninh Binh province with 95 countries; UN Vesak 2019 in Ha Nam province with 112 countries. Vietnam has the honor of continuing to organize UN Vesak in 2025 with more than 80 countries and territories participating.

Son Hao

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/lan-toa-tinh-than-doan-ket-hoa-binh-va-nhan-van-102250506195953607.htm