Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (Photo: VNA)NewYork (VNA) - Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of Vietnam’s PermanentMission to the United Nations, praised the values of Buddhism during an eventto celebrate the International Day of Vesak held in New York on May 2.
“Traversing time and space, crossing national borders,the values of Buddhism have strengthened the bonds among nations, building afirm foundation for a more peaceful and compassionate world,” the Ambassadorsaid in her speech.
She stressed that in today's world where conflicts, inequalityand poverty still persist, Lord Buddha’s teachings guide us on the pathway toovercome challenges through kindness and mutual understanding. People areinspired by his teachings to keep up the aspiration and strong determination toachieve equality, sustainable peace and development for all.
Talkingabout the religion’s role in Vietnam, Nga said for more than 2000 years sinceBuddhism was introduced to Vietnam, Buddhism has always represented a strongforce for peace and harmony in the country’s society, making great contributionsto the course of national defence, construction and development.
Theambassador took the occasion to reiterate that Vietnam pursues the consistentpolicy of respecting and creating favourable conditions for the people toexercise their right to freedom of belief and religion, promoting mutualrespect, unity and harmony among religions as well as cultural and moral valuesof each and every religion.
“Allreligions, however diverse, converge in the common aspiration for thedevelopment of the whole nation and the betterment of peoples' lives,” she said.
In hisremark, President of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak underscored theimportance of “timeless principles” of Buddhism to the work of the UN, sayingthat they offer insights and ideals on improving the planet and show people theway to a more sustainable future.
UNSecretary General Antonio Guterres also highlighted Buddhism’s emphasis onnon-violence as a powerful call for peace and said the Buddhist world viewteaches people to see themselves as a part of this world and not as itsmatters.
Thefocus in Buddhism on the inherent dignity of life finds resonance today in the2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said, urging everyone commit toovercome differences, care for the most venerable and truly leave no onebehind.
In1999, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it recognised theDay of Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon, to acknowledge the contributions thatBuddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and ahalf millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity.-VNA
