The fifth United Nations Day of Vesak, the most holy time in the Buddhist calendar, officially opened here Wednesday with the participation of over 600 delegations from90 countries and regions.
"We celebrate the United Nations Day of Vesak -- Birth, Enlightenment and Nibbana of Buddha Gautama -- on the full moon of the fourth month of lunar calendar, which symbolizes the perfection and universe of these areas: compassion, wisdom, peace, education, culture and humanity of all beings which Buddha had passed down to us for over 25 centuries ago," Most Venerable Thich Tri Tinh, chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Executive Council, said at the opening ceremony of the international religious and cultural event.
The organization of the Vesak, the most widely celebrated of Buddhist festivals commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha and initiated by the United Nations, is aimed at spreading Buddha's messages about brainpower, mercifulness, conciliation, harmony, progress and development. The main theme of Vesak 2008 is Buddhist contribution to building a just, democratic and civilized society.
The Vesak 2008 would be a good opportunity for leaders of different Buddhist sects, scholars and Buddhists from around the world to enhance understanding, solidarity and cooperation for a better society, helping prevent conflicts, solve wars, and push back poverty and sufferings, and leading people to a happy and peaceful life, Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet said at the ceremony.
"Everybody should be a messenger of goodwill and peace for bright and fine future of the whole mankind," the president said.
At the ceremony, director of China's State Administration for Religious Affairs Ye Xiaowen said mankind is jointly building up a harmonious, just, democratic and civilized world and eternally pursuits peace and harmony.
China has over 100 million Buddhism followers, 2 million Buddhism bonzes and 40 Buddhism institutes, he said.
During the Vesak 2008 slated for May 14-17 in Vietnam's Hanoi capital for the first time, over 5,000 delegates are to attend seven workshops.
Source: Xinhua
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