Monks and delegates release balloons to pray for peace during the 2024 Buddha's Birthday (Photo: Hong Thai/VNA)
Vesak, also known as Buddha's Birthday , is a day to commemorate the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni in the 6th century BC. However, what is special is that this day is not only meaningful to the Buddhist community but also becomes a symbol of peace, compassion and wisdom for humanity.
Vesak - Global religious and cultural symbol
In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized Vesak as an international cultural and religious holiday, held annually at its headquarters in New York (USA) and regional offices. The reason is that Buddhist teachings promote peace, respect for life, liberate people from suffering, and contribute positively to the sustainable development of modern society.
The Buddha's teachings are not just for monks but for all people, with timeless teachings of love, compassion, renunciation and wisdom, helping to create a peaceful and harmonious world .
It is these humanistic values that have made Vesak the first and only religious event to date that has been officially recognized by the United Nations and celebrated on a global scale.
Origin and meaning of Buddha's birthday
According to Buddhist history, Buddha was born on the full moon day of Vesak, which is the fourth lunar month. However, because of differences in calendar calculation methods among Buddhist schools, Buddha's birthday is often celebrated at different times in different countries, but most commonly in April or May of the solar calendar.
Delegates and Buddhists perform the Buddha bathing ceremony (Moc Duc) at the 2024 Buddha's Birthday Ceremony (Photo: Anh Tuan/VNA)
Legend has it that when Buddha was born, he took 7 steps and at each step a lotus flower bloomed. According to Buddhist teachings, the lotus flower symbolizes purity, and the 7 steps symbolize the truth that transcends time, space and the six realms of samsara. It is a reminder for everyone to live a good life, to let go of greed, anger and delusion to find inner peace and the true meaning of life.
Vesak Day is not only a celebration of the Buddha, but also an opportunity to reflect on the profound teachings he taught. His ideals of peace, compassion, and freedom from suffering continue to influence millions of people around the world.
This event is also solemnly celebrated at pagodas, temples and Buddhist centers, with rituals such as Buddha procession, lighting lamps and offering flowers and fruits.
Buddha's Birthday in Vietnamese Cultural Life
In Vietnam, since 1950, the World Fellowship of Buddhists has officially chosen the 15th day of the fourth lunar month as the anniversary of Buddha's birth. Since then, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has organized the Buddha's birthday season from the 8th to the 15th day of the fourth lunar month every year with many Buddhist rituals and cultural activities.
Besides traditional rituals such as chanting, Buddha bathing ceremony, praying for national peace and prosperity, float parade..., Buddha's Birthday is also an occasion to organize many charity activities, helping the poor, people in difficult circumstances, orphans..., demonstrating the spirit of compassion, saving the suffering and helping the victims of Buddhism.
The 20th United Nations Vesak Celebration and Vietnam's Imprint
From May 6-8, the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak will take place at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City. This is the fourth time Vietnam has hosted this special international event, following previous events in Hanoi (2008), Ninh Binh (2014) and Ha Nam (2019).
Panoramic view of the opening ceremony of the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak - Vesak 2019 in Ha Nam (Photo: Nguyen Dan/VNA)
This year's Vesak Festival is expected to attract the participation of Buddhist representatives and international organizations from more than 80 countries and territories.
The main theme of the celebration is “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development.” This message not only promotes the values of compassion and wisdom of Buddhism, but also emphasizes the role of solidarity and tolerance in the turbulent modern world.
Vietnam's continued hosting of the 20th international cultural and spiritual event has many important meanings in the process of integration and globalization; it is a bridge of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and countries around the world; especially it affirms Vietnam's position and responsibility towards the United Nations, the consistent policy of our Party and State on freedom of belief and religion, contributing to firmly strengthening the great national unity bloc in the new period./.
According to Vietnam+
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/vi-sao-dai-le-vesak-duoc-lhq-cong-nhan-la-ngay-le-van-hoa-ton-giao-quoc-te-post1036018.vnp
Source: https://baolongan.vn/vi-sao-dai-le-vesak-duoc-lien-hop-quoc-cong-nhan-la-ngay-le-van-hoa-ton-giao-quoc-te-a194593.html
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