HCM City (VNA) - Overseas Vietnamese Buddhists participating in the UN Day of Vesak 2008 have commended Vietnam’s hosting of the celebration as a vivid exhibition of the country’s respect for freedom of belief and religion.

Head of the Wellcom pagoda in California in the US Venerable Thich Phap Chau said by providing favourable conditions for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the International Organisation Committee to organise the UN Day of Vesak, Vietnam demonstrates itself as a peace and justice-loving nation that honours the teachings of Buddha.

The Venerable noted the multi-religious nature of the country, saying he believes Vietnam treats both established and emerging religions equally.

“I am confident that seeing the organisation of the UN Day of Vesak in Vietnam, those with prejudice on the country would recognise their false judgement on the situation of religious freedom here,” Venerable Thich Phap Chau said.

Buddhist Nguyen Thi Bao from Poland, who has been living abroad for almost 20 years, said the UN Day of Vesak in Vietnam was a clear response to false assumptions about religious freedom in Vietnam.

Bao said she was impressed with the current array of pagodas and places of worship in her homeland Vietnam, commenting Buddhism seemed to thriving and people’s right to belief was well respected.

Buddhist Do Dinh Chieu, who is presently working in France as an atomic physics professor, said he was proud of the homeland’s hosting of such a large international religious event.

“This is a good opportunity for the world to have a better understanding of Vietnam’s policies on freedom of religion and belief, national unity and religious unity,” Chieu said.

Highlighting the role and values of Buddhism in the Vietnamese society, the Buddhist intellectual said he will make further contributions to the country through cooperative programmes with the Ministry of Education and Training.

The UN Day of Vesak 2008 in Hanoi is being attended by close to 2,000 delegates from 60 countries and territories. The celebrations began on May 14 and the event is scheduled to wrap up on May 17.-Enditem