Hanoi (VNA) – Preparations for the United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) 2008 are complete thanks to the joint efforts of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Central Committee, the International Organising Committee (IOC) and Vietnamese Government agencies.
Nguyen The Doanh, head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs and head of the National Coordinating Committee for the Organisation of the UNDV 2008 in Hanoi from May 14-17, made the affirmation at an international press briefing in Hanoi on May 12.
The official said the UNDV 2008, a significant event for Buddhist followers in Vietnam and throughout the world to honour Gautama Buddha and Buddhist cultural, spiritual and ethical values, will convey a message of peace, solidarity and friendship.
With a theme “Buddhist contribution to building an equal, democratic and civilised society” and subthemes about world climate change, family conflict, war and healing, social changes, Buddhist education and Buddhism in the digital age, the UNDV 2008 reflects Buddhist followers’ commitment to settling global issues for the world peace and contentment.
He went on to say that the UNDV 2008 will help foreign friends and Buddhist followers around the world better understand Vietnam, its people, its Buddhist traditions and the VBS, an official organisation representing Vietnamese Buddhist followers.
IOC Chairperson Prof. Le Manh That told the press that his organising committee has made good preparations to welcome 4,500 delegates, including 1,500 foreign delegates. In addition, many monks, nuns and Buddhist followers will take part in fine arts exhibitions, fairs and other activities on the sidelines of the Vesak festival. Almost 500 international guests from around 70 countries and territories have come to Vietnam .
Vice Chairman of the VBS’s Executive Council Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu said he was very happy to welcome the UNDV 2008 and international delegates to the significant event.
International IOC representatives Most Venerable Dharmaratana from France and Most Venerable Dhammasami from the UK said it was a pleasure to attend the UNDV 2008 in a beautiful and hospitable Vietnam .
They took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Government for organising such an important event and for its commitment to holding a successful UNDV celebration.
The international delegates approved the theme of the UNDV 2008, saying that as the world faces ecological deterioration, security instability, poverty, underdevelopment and natural calamities, the UNDV 2008 is an opportunity for Buddhist followers worldwide to unite and join efforts to seek solutions for a happy and peaceful world.-Enditem
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