Celebration of International Vesak Day 2023 (Photo: VOV-Washington)

This has been an annual UN event since 1999 when the UN General Assembly passed a resolution on the yearly celebration of the Day of Vesak, in recognition of contributions of Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, for people’s spiritual life, and the joint efforts of the international community for peace, cooperation, harmony, and development.

Speakers at the celebration ceremony insisted that amid the current challenges in the world, the Buddha’s great ideals are also the goals of the United Nations. That is to enhance understanding among peoples, harmonize, and promote peace and progress.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations, said that the Buddha's teachings are a scientific and intellectual philosophical system, a guideline for solving difficult problems of the modern world including war, poverty, epidemics, climate change, and environmental pollution.

These are also the goals and principles that the United Nations has pursued.