Themed “Buddhist Perspective towards Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals”, the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak was held in Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province from May 6-10, 2014.

The event attracted the participation of 600 Buddhist delegations and 20,000 domestic and foreign dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers from 95 countries and territories around the world.

In the context that the world is facing a series of emerging issues, such as the economic crisis, climate change, natural disasters, epidemics and political and religious conflicts, the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak (Buddha’s Birthday, Enlightenment and Passing Away) aimed to foster cooperation among Buddhist communities and institutions and develop Buddhist solutions to the global crisis and disseminate Buddhism through academic activities, religious ceremonies and ways of life.

According to the United Nations’ evaluation, among the United Nations Millennial Development Goals (MDGs), Vietnam has made the most impressive progresses in the goal of poverty reduction.

The success of Vietnam has partly been attributed to the contributions of millions of monks and nuns in the country. Over the years, Buddhism has brought into full play its strength in the aspects of charity and humanity, ethical education and lifestyle as well as resolutions to negative issues in society.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 2014 Vesak, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung called the 2014 Vesak an opportunity to tighten solidarity and friendship to make a better society and implement MDGs.

He said that freedom of religion and belief is enshrined in Vietnam’s Constitution and key laws. Vietnam plans to preserve and uphold its traditional cultural identities and absorb global cultural values.

He noted that Vietnam respects the noble values of religions, including Buddhism, built thousands of years ago, to promote human morality and dignity.

During this year’s biggest traditional Buddhist holiday, various activities were held featuring the Buddhist community’s contributions to peace and the implementation of MDGs.

They include a ceremony to chant and pray for national prosperity and world peace that left a lasting impression on attendees, a candle-lit ceremony, a Buddhist art exhibition, and a tour to see the cultural heritage site of Trang An in Vietnam.

The festival also included five symposiums which were successfully held, affirming the contributions of Vietnam and the nation’s Buddhism to values of interest to the UN such as sustainable development and social change, global warming and environmental protection, healthy living, and post-conflict recovery.

In his message sent to the 2014 Vesak, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon emphasised: “I particularly welcome the theme of your celebrations in Vietnam and your desire to explore the Buddhist perspective towards achieving MDGs.

While the Buddha’s teachings are eternal, the Buddhist perspective is also valuable now as we accelerate our efforts to achieve MDGs and steer the world onto a more sustainable and equitable path of development.”

“The Buddha’s message of peace, compassion and love for all living beings resonates strongly. It tells us to open our hearts and embrace our fellow human beings, especially those in need. The Buddha’s teachings can inspire our efforts to address many of the broader challenges confronting our planet, from conflict to inequality to climate change,” it said.

The 2014 Vesak successfully wrapped up with the approval of the Ninh Binh Statement that stresses tireless efforts to reach MDGs and urges world leaders to focus sustainable development on the three pillars of environmental protection, economic development and social equality.

In the context when China brazenly moved its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig escorted by armed and military vessels and many airplanes to Vietnamese waters and illegally installed the rig at a location which is 80 miles into the Vietnamese continental shelf and exclusive economic zone prescribed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the statement also calls on political leaders to resolve disputes related to sovereignty, sovereign right, territorial integrity and jurisdiction over exclusive economic zones and continental shelves through negotiations and other peaceful means, in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

It is said that the 2014 Vesak was an important international event that contributed to raising the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in international integration, asserting Vietnam’s position and responsibility to the United Nations.

It also helped popularise Vietnam’s image, culture, people and ecological and religious tourism development and increase foreign exchanges to partially devote to the comprehensive cooperation development with other countries in the world.

The UN Millennium Development Goals

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

VNP/VNN