HCM City Hosts 20th UN Day of Vesak, Calls for Unity and Global Peace
HCM City Hosts 20th UN Day of Vesak, Calls for Unity and Global Peace
Ho Chi Minh City, May 6 — The 20th United Nations Day of Vesak opened in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, bringing together global Buddhist leaders, political figures, and international delegates under the theme “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong reaffirmed the country’s commitment to upholding freedom of belief and religion, calling it a crucial foundation for fostering national unity. He emphasized that the Vietnamese Party and State always create favorable conditions for religions, including Buddhism, to operate within the law.
Delivering the Vesak 2025 message, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), highlighted the spiritual and historical significance of this year’s celebration. For the first time, the UN Day of Vesak is being hosted in HCM City, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification. He urged Buddhists worldwide to practice diligently and embody compassion and wisdom to help build a peaceful and happy world.
Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Vice Supreme Patriarch and Chairman of the Vesak 2025 National Organising Committee, noted that Vesak is not only a commemoration of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing, but also a global occasion to uphold universal Buddhist values amid today’s challenges. He called for unity among all religious and cultural communities to overcome differences and foster mutual understanding and global harmony.
Attending the event, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka expressed admiration for Vietnam’s resilience and achievements, emphasizing that the Buddha’s message of peace and compassion is more vital than ever in a world still marked by conflict and inequality.
Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV), praised the support of the Vietnamese Government and the VBS, stating that Vesak 2025 addresses urgent global concerns. He underscored the importance of Buddhist teachings in promoting solidarity, sustainability, and human well-being in today’s volatile world.
Messages from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and leaders from India, Russia, Cambodia, Thailand, Buryatia, China, Laos, and Myanmar were also presented, reaffirming the global significance of Vesak and the enduring relevance of Buddhist philosophy in fostering peace, compassion, and sustainable development.
This year’s Vesak celebrations mark a milestone for Vietnamese Buddhism and serve as a reminder of the transformative power of spiritual unity in shaping a more inclusive and peaceful world.
