A boat performance on Tam Chuc Lake in front of Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam province on July 14 to mark the conclusion of the UN Day of Vesak 2019 (Photo: VNA)Ha Nam (VNA) – Thesuccessful organisation of the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak earlier thisyear helped demonstrate Vietnam’s respect for the freedom of belief andreligion, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said at a meeting on July 29.
The meeting was held by the Government’s workinggroup and the People’s Committee of the northern province of Ha Nam to reviewthe organisation of the UN Day of Vesak 2019.
The UN Day of Vesak 2019 was hosted by theVietnam Buddhist Sangha at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Kim Bang district of Ha Nam fromMay 12 to 14. Themed “Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and SharedResponsibilities for Sustainable Societies”, it brought together 1,650delegates from 112 countries and territories worldwide.
Deputy PM Binh said thanks to efforts by theVietnam Buddhist Sangha, the Xuan Truong company, along with the support of theParty and State’s leaders and relevant ministries, sectors and localities, thecountry created a memorable UN Day of Vesak, leaving a good impression onforeign friends and delegates to the event.
He stressed that the successful organisationonce again affirmed Vietnam’s support for the UN’s activities and the ethicalvalues of religions, including Buddhism.
With the Ha Nam Declaration, the event furtherhighlighted Vietnam’s consistent respect for the people’s freedom of belief andreligion and the favourable conditions created for religions to be practiced inline with legal regulations. It also showed the country’s wish to be a friendand trustworthy partner of international friends, as well as a responsiblemember that always supports activities initiated and organised by the UN.
Through the UN Day of Vesak 2019, foreignfriends gained an insight into the improvements in the religious life inVietnam and learned more about the country’s land and people, he added.
At the meeting, 12 collectives and 13individuals with outstanding achievements in the organisation of the UN Day ofVesak 2019 were presented with merit certificates by the chairperson of the HaNam People’s Committee.
The UN’s commemoration of Vesak has been heldthree times in Vietnam so far. Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 andNinh Binh province in 2014.
The UN General Assembly on December 15, 1999recognised the Day of Vesak to celebrate the thrice-sacred event of the life ofthe Buddha Gautama (birth, enlightenment and death) and to acknowledge thecontributions that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has madeto humanity.
The UN Day of Vesak was first celebrated in2001. -VNA
