Hanoi (VNA) –President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran ThanhMan has sent a message of congratulation to Buddhist dignitaries and followerson the occasion of the UN Day of Vesak 2019 to be held in Vietnam.

The VFF leader highlighted thatthe UN Day of Vesak is an international cultural and religious festival organisedby the UN to honour the deep ethical, cultural and ideological values of the Buddha’steachings. He said the UN Day of Vesak, with the participation of many Buddhistsects all over the world, offers an opportunity and a friendship bridge for allpeople to gain better understanding of Buddhism’s values.

In the context of the worldfacing big challenges posed by terrorism, violence, ethnic and religiousconflict, environmental pollution, climate change and poverty, the practice ofBuddhist teachings is one of the ways to help society address those problemsand multiply good values of human kind for a world of peace and progress, Mansaid in the message.

“The VFF, as a grouping ofpolitical, socio-political and social organisations as well as outstandingindividuals from all classes, walks of life, ethnic groups, religions andoverseas Vietnamese on a voluntary basis, always respect and uphold the goodspiritual and ethical values of religions and the right to freedom of religionand belief in line with the Constitution and the law,” he wrote.

The UN Day of Vesak 2019, to be held in Vietnam underthe theme “Buddhist approach to globalleadership and shared responsibilities for sustainable cities,” will bean opportunity for Buddhist followers to honour and spread the humane values ofBuddhist teachings in society, contributing to realising the millennium goalsof the UN, Man said.

He expressed his wish that thefine values of the Buddha’s teachings will be preserved, inherited and spreadin various forms, demonstrating the spirit of the UN Day of Vesak.

The VFF leader wished the UN Dayof Vesak 2019 a great success.

Up to 1,500 internationaldelegates from 106 countries and territories and the United Nations (UN) willattend the UN Day of Vesak Celebrations 2019 slated for May 12-14 at Tam ChucBuddhist Culture Centre in the northern province of Ha Nam.

The event is also expected to bring together 1,500 domesticdelegates, including Party and State leaders, representatives of ministries,agencies and localities, and monks, nuns and Buddhist followers. 

This will be the third timethe UN’s commemoration of Vesak is held in Vietnam. Previously, it took placein Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month ofMay, is the year’s most sacred day to the millions of Buddhists around theworld. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago that the Buddhawas 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 General Assembly internationally recognised the Day ofVesak in 1999 to acknowledge the contributions Buddhism, one of the oldestreligions in the world, has made to humanity. 

The UN Day of Vesak was first held in 2001.-VNA