The robot, named Enlightened Novice 4.0, was introduced at the Giác Ngộ Pagoda in HCM City, which employed AI and latest robotic technology to help spread Buddhist wisdom through its capacity to chant 100 sutras and answer some 3,000 questions about Buddhism.

International and Vietnamese scholars and Buddhist dignitaries shared ideas on how Buddhism has adapted to Industry 4.0 and utilised digitalisation to preserve Buddhist values and promote the religion.

Simerjit Kaur, a lecturer from the Department of Buddhist Studies, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, India highlighted the drastic changes Industry 4.0 has brought in all aspects of life.

He noted the scope and scale of benefits that people have gained from the Fourth Industrial Revolution while pointing out social challenges, such as growth of cities, slums, frustration, fear of security and emotional discrimination.

“The result of this impact is more or less marked as an atmosphere of unrest, inequality, unhappiness, stressful life, violence, conflict, mistrust etc. all over the world,” he said, adding in such a scenario, the principles and values in Buddhism could help.

“As we know Buddhism, with its ethical norms and values, deals mainly with existential problems of human being and strives to establish the regime of happiness and peace in the world. Applying Buddhist approach helps resolve the human-created problems along with the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Simerjit Kaur.

William Beaumont Edwards from Vipassana Buddhist Church, Centre for Buddhist Development, US, also acknowledged the massive shift in human civilisation in Industry 4.0.

He expressed his belief on how well-prepared Buddhism is to accept Industry 4.0’s civilisation changing dynamics.

“I think we can all agree that the resiliency of Buddhism, unlike many of the world religious traditions, has had the ability to obligingly adapt and easily survive any change in those dynamics with which it is presented.”

Meanwhile, Alex Amies from Google talked about how the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s achievements should be used for serving Buddhist communities, such as software and web applications to help broaden access to Buddhist resources.

He said he hopes evolving technologies can bring more improvements to Buddhist resources, including large-scale translations of Buddhist texts.

Mindful leadership for world peace

Also yesterday, the scholars, delegates and Buddhist dignitaries discussed different approaches to mindful political leadership to strengthen peace under a Buddhist perspective.

During a seminar participants shared their knowledge and international studies on how to train and master mindful leadership for world peace and happiness.

Professor Biman Chandra Barua from the Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies at the Bangladeshi University of Dhaka said Buddhism was considered one of the major religions in the universe. It is not only a religion but also provides guidelines for people to lead a decent and peaceful way of life.

He attached significance to good governance in every state, region and country in order to bring happiness and peace, particularly amidst contemporary social injustice, wars and conflicts.

“Transparency, equity, equality, rules and regulations need to be exercised in every aspect of life for ensuring good governance,” he said.

According to the professor, political leaders who exercised the ten royal virtues of Buddhism could deliver peaceful and happy governance, thus making a prosperous, happy and healthy society.

“Mutual respect, relationships, accountability and transparency can be achieved through practicing the ten Buddhist royal virtues. These virtues bring happiness, peace and spiritual development which are essential for a nation,” he said. “A country or state could not be corrupted or unhappy if these royal ten virtues are practiced and applied in every sector of life guided by Lord Buddha,” he added.

In his presentation, Can Dong Guo from the Canadian Academy of Wisdom and Enlightenment underlined the complexities of global conflicts, saying global leadership for sustainable peace was a colossal task for great minds.

“Traditional Buddhist mindfulness training such as various meditation techniques are designed to discipline the mind to concentrate and focus,” he said.

He described the Buddhist logic as a gold mine which was unearthed to serve as a critical thinking tool, providing political leaders the necessary mindset to comprehend complex problems.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Joseph Goldstein, M.A. in Religious Studies from the US Naropa University, expressed his belief that leadership informed by Buddhist principles could be applied to deliver sustainable peace.

“There is a great deal that may be learned through applying some of the insights of Buddhist teachings to the cause of promoting healthy leadership,” he underscored.

During the event, participants also heard discussions about Buddhist orientation for leadership and sustainable peace, a Buddhist approach to universal ethnics through good governance, as well as the logic and correct mindset that peacemaking leaders must acquire.

Vesak 2019: Flower-shaped lantern floated to pray for global peace

The Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in the northern province of Ha Nam was illuminated with tens of thousands of flower-shaped lanterns on May 13.

The Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in the northern province of Ha Nam was illuminated with tens of thousands of flower-shaped lanterns on May 13 night during the 16th United Nations Day for Vesak (Vesak 2019) to pray for global peace.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, leaders of ministries, branches and localities, and many domestic and foreign Buddhist followers.

In his remarks, Deputy PM Minh expressed his delight to welcome foreign delegates who come to honour the values of Buddhism during the Vesak 2019.

He stressed that Vesak 2019 is an important event in the religious life of Buddhist followers worldwide, and it offers an opportunity for them to meet and pervade Buddhism values of tolerance, altruism, harmony and peace.

As the world is facing grave risks of wars, conflicts, stability and natural disasters which drive millions of people to unhappy life, he called the Buddhist followers and people all around the world to intensify friendship, tighten cooperation and promote values of Buddhism to build peace, contributing to settling challenges and conflicts and alleviating poverty.

He hoped that Vietnamese people and Buddhist followers will continue enhancing Buddhism’s quintessence, enrich Vietnamese culture as well as well respect current regulations on religion, making contributions to building a peaceful Vietnam with sustainable development.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the year’s most sacred day to the millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago that the Buddha was 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’s commemoration of Vesak has been held for three times in Vietnam so far. Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014.

The Vesak 2019 brings together 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories worldwide.

Vesak 2019: Myanmar President visits Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

President of Myanmar Win Myint, his spouse, and a Myanmar delegation toured the World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on May 13 as part of their visit to Vietnam to attend the UN Day of Vesak.

Welcoming the delegation at Tuan Chau International port, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Thang briefed the guests on local socio-economic achievements and the outstanding geological value of Ha Long Bay.

He wished the delegation a successful trip in Vietnam.

Myanmar President Win Myint, for his part, thanked the warm welcome of Quang Ninh province, and expressed his hope that it will reap further achievements in the time ahead.

The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 is currently taking place at the Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre in Kim Bang district of northern Ha Nam province, lasting from May 12-14.

Vesak 2019: Buddhism moves to adapt to FIR

The impacts made by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) on Buddhism was among the topics for discussions on May 13 as part of the ongoing 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 in Ha Nam province.

International and Vietnamese scholars and Buddhist dignitaries shared their ideas on how Buddhism has adapted to IR 4.0 and utilised the digitalisation era to preserve Buddhist values and further promote the religion worldwide.

Simerjit Kaur Lecturer from the Department of Buddhist Studies, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, India highlighted the drastic changes FIR has brought forth in all aspects of life.

He showed his agreement on the scope and scale of benefits that people have gained from FIR while pointing out social challenges, such as growth of cities, urban slums, frustration, fear of security, emotional discriminations, in the era.

“The result of this impact is more or less marked as an atmosphere of unrest, inequality, unhappiness, stressful life, violence, conflict, mistrust etc. all over the world,” he said, adding in such as scenario, the principles and values in Buddhism could be of immense help to the world.

“As we know Buddhism, with its ethical norms and values, deals mainly with existential problems of human being and strives to establish the regime of happiness and peace in the world. Applying Buddhist approach helps resolve the human created problems along with the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Simerjit Kaur.

Rev. William Beaumont Edwards from Vipassana Buddhist Church, Centre for Buddhist Development, USA, also acknowledged the massive shift in human civilization in FIR.

He expressed his belief on how well-prepared Buddhism is to accept FIR’s civilization changing dynamics.

“I think we can all agree that the resiliency of Buddhism, unlike many of the world religious traditions, has had the ability to obligingly adapt and easily survive any change in those dynamics with which it is presented.”

Meanwhile, Alex Amies from US’ Google Inc., talked about how FIR achievements should be used for serving Buddhist communities, such as software and web application be developed to help broaden access to Buddhist resources.

He said he hopes that the evolving technologies can bring more improvements to Buddhist resources, including large scale translation of Buddhist texts.

The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 is taking place in Vietnam under the theme “Buddhist approach to global leadership and shared responsibilities for sustainable societies”.

Five sub-themes are being discussed in groups on May 13, namely “Mindful leadership for sustainable peace”, “Buddhist approach to harmonious families, healthcare and sustainable society”, “Buddhist approach to global education in Ethics”, “Buddhism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”, and “Buddhist approach to responsible consumption and sustainable development.”

This year marks the third time Vietnam has hosted the UN Vesak celebration. It brings together more than 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories across the world and over 20,000 Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers.

Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014.

Vesak 2019: Seminar talks mindful leadership for world peace

International and Vietnamese scholars, delegates and Buddhist dignitaries talked approaches to mindful political leadership to strengthen peace under Buddhist perspective at a seminar on May 13 in Ha Nam province.

During the event that took place as part of the ongoing UN Day of Vesak celebration at Tam Chuc Pagoda, participants shared their knowledge and international studies on how to train and master mindful leadership for world peace and happiness of people.

Prof. Biman Chandra Barua from Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, Bangladeshi University of Dhaka, said Buddhism is considered one of the major religions in the universe. It is not only a religion but also provides guidelines for people to lead a decent and peaceful way of life.

He attached significance to good governance role in every state, regions and country in order to bring happiness and peace, particularly among contemporary social injustice, wars and conflicts.

“Transparency, equity, equality, rules, and regulations need to be exercised in every aspect of life for ensuring good governance,” he said.

According to the Bangladeshi professor, political leaders who exercise ten royal virtues of Buddhism can deliver peaceful and happy governance, thus making a prosperous, happy, and healthy society of the state, regions, and countries.

“Mutual respects, relationship, accountability and transparency can be achieved through practicing ten Buddhist royal virtues. These virtues bring happiness, peace and spiritual development which are very essential for a nation,” said Prof. Biman Chandra Barua. “A country or a state could not be corrupted or unhappy if these royal ten virtues are practiced and applied in every sector of life guided by the Lord Buddha,” he added.

In his presentation, Can Dong Guo from Canadian Academy of Wisdom and Enlightenment, underlined the complexities of global conflicts, saying global leadership for sustainable peace is a colossal task for great minds.

“Traditional Buddhist mindfulness training such as various meditation techniques are designed to discipline the mind to concentrate and focus,” he said.

He described the Buddhist logic as a gold mine which is unearthed to serve as critical thinking tools, providing political leaders the necessary mindset to comprehend complex problems.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Joseph Goldstein, M.A. in Religious Studies from the US’ Naropa University, expressed his belief that leadership informed by Buddhist principles can be applied in service to deliver sustainable peace.

“There is a great deal that may be learned through applying some of the insights of Buddhist teachings to the cause of promoting healthy leadership,” he underscored.

During the event, participants also heard discussions about Buddhist orientation for leadership and sustainable peace, Buddhist approach to universal ethnics through good governance, as well as the logic and correct mindset that peace-making leaders must acquire.

The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 is taking place in Vietnam from May 12-14 under the theme “Buddhist approach to global leadership and shared responsibilities for sustainable societies”.

Five sub-themes are being discussed in groups on May 13, namely “Mindful leadership for sustainable peace”, “Buddhist approach to harmonious families, healthcare and sustainable society”, “Buddhist approach to global education in Ethics”, “Buddhism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”, and “Buddhist approach to responsible consumption and sustainable development.”

This year marks the third time Vietnam has hosted the UN Vesak celebration. It brings together more than 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories across the world and over 20,000 Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers.

Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014.

VN Government official hopes for RoK support for Buddhist activities

Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Chien Thang has expressed his wish that the Republic of Korea (RoK) would continue supporting Vietnamese followers living and working in the country with Buddhist activities.

During a reception in the northern province of Ha Nam on May 13 for Most Venerable You Franhk Jeean, head of the RoK’s delegation to the ongoing United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 celebration, Thang said Vietnam and the RoK have achieved great progress in a diverse range of areas, with Vietnam’s major Buddhist events receiving support from the RoK.

Jeean, for his part, spoke highly of Vietnam’s preparations for the UN Day of Vesak 2019 and bilateral Buddhism relations, especially the establishment of Vietnamese Buddhist associations in the RoK.

He highly valued the Vietnamese Government’s support for Buddhism and its activities.

During a meeting with overseas Vietnamese attending the UN Day of Vesak, Thang lauded them for their contributions to social welfares and socio-economic development at home, adding that the establishment of Buddhist chapters abroad also contributes to popularising Vietnam’s spiritual culture.

Thang vowed to work closely with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to heed the spiritual lives of Vietnamese Buddhists abroad.

Representatives of overseas Vietnamese communities shared some of the advantages and disadvantages in conducting Buddhist activities abroad, adding that spiritual cultural activities help introduce Vietnamese life to international friends.

VNS/VNA