United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) celebrations 2008 kicks off in Ha Noi

The opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Celebration 2008 started on May 14 at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi with the attendance of nearly 2,000 delegates from over 60 countries and territories.

First image on the opening day (Credit: dantri.com.vn)

        It is the first time that the United Nations Vesak celebrations are being held in Vietnam since the United Nations in a resolution in 1999 decided to celebrate the thrice-sacred day of Vesak in the month of May. It is also an opportunity for Buddhist dignitaries and practitioners to gather and mark Buddha’s birthday, his attaining Enlightenment and his entry into Nirvana; and at the same time, to spread a message of love, peace, harmony, mercy, and progress to the world.

        The event will take place from May 14-15, 2008. At the event, there will be 7 discussions such speeches as “Buddhism’s Role in War Prevention” and “Buddhism for a Just, Democratic and Civil Society.” As scheduled, international delegates will visit some Buddhist relics of Vietnam like the Bai Dinh pagoda, the largest pagoda in Vietnam, in Ninh Binh province, Yen Tu in Quang Ninh and Ha Long Bay on May 17.

        Reportedly, the first Vesak celebrations were held back in the year 2001 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York with the participation of 34 countries. Subsequently, these celebrations were successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand since 2004. 

Flags, banners and multi-colored lanterns have been hung at the provincial pagodas

        In order to welcome the UNDV celebrations 2008, the Management Board of Dong Nai Buddhist’s Association will visited and offer gifts to 5 heroic Vietnamese mothers and 5 typical Buddhist families. On this occasion, Đức Quang pagoda and Ngoc Uyen Buddhist temple (Bien Hoa city) will give gifts to 3 heroic Vietnamese mothers, 24 fallen heroes’ families, 5 families with meritorious services to the revolution, and 32 former political prisoners in the province.

        In Dong Nai province, 497 places of worship have been decorated with flags, flowers, banners and multi-colored lanterns. Buddhist pennons, flags and banners welcoming UNDV celebrations 2008 have been hung along the streets in Bien Hoa city. Some Buddhist pagodas are urgently preparing for Vesak parade held on the evening of May 17 at districts and May 18 in Bien Hoa city. Buddhist monks and nuns of Giac Minh pagoda (Bien Hoa city) are making 3,000 lotus lanterns to float them on Dong Nai River on the evening of May 19.

        On May 15, Buddhist dignitaries of pagodas and temples in Bien Hoa city were given gifts and paid a visit by Bien Hoa People’s Committee.

Compiled by Thu Dung, Translated by THKC