This year’s Vatican message to Buddhists for Vesak is titled “Buddhists and Christians, together to counter modern slavery.” The message was delivered on 21 April by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and was inspired by Pope Francis’s “Message for the 2015 World Day of Peace.”
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The full moon day of Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing into parinirvana of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. The council’s president, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, commented that the occasion allowed one “to think of the unfortunate and all who suffer, and to rededicate ourselves to bringing them comfort and happiness through acts of love and compassion” (Vatican Radio). Cardinal Tauran had previously praised Buddhism in his 2012 Vesak message, saying that the teaching on refraining from harming others and encouraging generosity and compassion was “a precious gift to society” (The Daily Star Lebanon).
Religious leaders gathered at the Vatican with the goal of ending modern slavery on 2 December 2014. During the ceremony, Pope Francis, with eminent Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Jews, signed the Declaration of Religious Leaders against Slavery, following on from an earlier agreement to wipe out all modern forms of slavery and human trafficking by 2020.
In his “Message for the 2015 World Day of Peace,” titled “No Longer Slaves, but Brothers and Sisters,” the Pope gave various examples of modern-day slavery, such as men, women, and child laborers; migrants who endure physical, emotional, and sexual abuse while working in deplorable conditions; anyone forced into prostitution; male and female sex slaves; and people kidnapped by terrorists and forced into combat.
The Vesak message reads: “Dear friends, we share the conviction that modern slavery and human trafficking are grave crimes, open wounds on the body of contemporary society . . . In one section of the ‘Eightfold Path’—namely ‘Right Livelihood’—the Buddha declares that trading in live beings, including slaves and prostitutes, is one of five occupations that are not to be engaged in. He instructs that possessions are to be acquired peacefully, honestly and by legal means, without coercion, violence or deceit, and by means that do not cause harm or suffering. In this way, Buddhism promotes respect for the life and freedom of each person.”
The message goes on to urge Buddhists and Christians to “cooperate together to end this social plague,” overcoming apathy and ignorance by providing victims with assistance, facilitating their psychological and educational rehabilitation, and helping them reintegrate into society.
The message concludes: “We pray that your celebration of Vesakh [sic], which includes making special efforts to bring happiness to those less fortunate in our midst, may be a time of deepened consideration of the various ways in which we can work together so that there will no longer be slaves, but brothers and sisters living in fraternity, loving kindness and compassion for all” (Vatican Radio).
In this Vesak message, the Vatican is reaching out to Buddhists with both praise and encouragement, as well as an understanding of some of the most profound principles in the Buddha’s teachings.