Vesak 2019: Flower-shaped lantern floated to pray for global peace

The Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in the northern province of Ha Nam was illuminated with tens of thousands of flower-shaped lanterns on May 13

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, leaders of ministries, branches and localities, and many domestic and foreign Buddhist followers.

In his remarks, Deputy PM Minh expressed his delight to welcome foreign delegates who come to honour the values of Buddhism during the Vesak 2019.

He stressed that Vesak 2019 is an important event in the religious life of Buddhist followers worldwide, and it offers an opportunity for them to meet and pervade Buddhism values of tolerance, altruism, harmony and peace.

As the world is facing grave risks of wars, conflicts, stability and natural disasters which drive millions of people to unhappy life, he called the Buddhist followers and people all around the world to intensify friendship, tighten cooperation and promote values of Buddhism to build peace, contributing to settling challenges and conflicts and alleviating poverty.

He hoped that Vietnamese people and Buddhist followers will continue enhancing Buddhism’s quintessence, enrich Vietnamese culture as well as well respect current regulations on religion, making contributions to building a peaceful Viet Nam with sustainable development.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the year’s most sacred day to the millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha passed away.

The UN’s commemoration of Vesak has been held for three times in Viet Nam so far. Previously, it took place in Ha Noi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014.

The Vesak 2019 brings together 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories worldwide.-VNA