Many Buddhist cultural activities within the framework of the United Nations Vesak Festival 2025

Many Buddhist cultural activities within the framework of the United Nations Vesak Festival 2025 - Photo 1.

Opening of the Press Center serving the United Nations Vesak 2025 - Photo: Ngoc Hang

At the press conference, Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac, Head of the Cultural Committee - Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that Vesak 2025 will take place from May 6 to 8, at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City.

Specifically, the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival opened on the morning of May 6, followed by a presentation program on the main theme; on May 7, the International Scientific Conference of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival took place and the Closing Ceremony was held on the morning of May 8.

Within the framework of Vesak 2025, there will also be activities: Enshrinement and worship of Buddha Shakyamuni's relics at Thanh Tam Pagoda (Binh Chanh) from May 2 to May 8; enshrinement and worship of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's heart relics at Viet Nam Quoc Tu (District 10); a grand ceremony to pay tribute to heroic martyrs on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification; an international flower lantern festival to pray for national peace and world peace; an international Buddhist art performance night at Sa La Theater, Thu Duc City; a Buddhist cultural exhibition introducing 87 national treasures of Buddhism and a culinary festival at Lang Le Park, Binh Chanh; a traditional Buddha bathing ceremony; a Buddhist flag raising ceremony, etc.

This is the fourth time Vietnam has hosted the Vesak Festival and the first time it has been held in Ho Chi Minh City. The event was attended by delegates from 85 countries and territories.

With the main theme: "Solidarity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development", Vesak 2025 is an opportunity to introduce the image of the country and people of Vietnam as peace-loving, friendly, united and harmonious.

At the same time, the event is also an opportunity to affirm to the international community the consistent policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion of the Party and State of Vietnam; about the reality of religious freedom in Vietnam...

To date, the Organizing Committee has received 620 papers in English and 330 papers in Vietnamese. The papers focus on topics of peace, sustainable development and the application of Buddhist teachings in modern society.

It is expected that there will be more than 2,700 delegates attending. Of these, there will be about 1,250 international delegates from 85 countries and territories; and about 1,500 domestic delegates.

On the same afternoon, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha held the opening ceremony of the Press Center serving the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak.

The Press Center, located at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, is equipped with a large LED screen to broadcast live events of the Great Ceremony. The Center is also equipped with computers and high-speed internet access for reporters and journalists to work.

Nguyen Tran

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/nhieu-hoat-dong-van-hoa-phat-giao-trong-khuon-kho-dai-le-vesak-lien-hop-quoc-2025-102250503022105246.htm