November 25-- HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam will host the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak (Buddha's Birthday, Enlightenment and Passing Away) and an international Buddhism conference at Bai Dinh Temple in the northern province of Ninh Binh from 7-11 May 2014.
Bai Dinh Temple | Viet Nam News
With the theme Buddhist Perspective towards Cchieving the UN Millennium Development Goals, the event is being organised by the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in collaboration with the International Council for the Day of Vesak.
The event aims to celebrate the thrice-sacred day of Vesak internationally, and foster co-operation among Buddhist communities and institutions. It also aims to develop Buddhist solutions to the global crisis and disseminate Buddhism through academic activities, religious ceremonies and ways of life.
The 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak would be an important event contributing to the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in international integration and to affirm Viet Nam's position and responsibility towards the UN, said Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Standing Vice President of the VBS, at a press conference yesterday.
The event will focus activities on Buddhists response to sustainable development and social change; global warming and environmental protection; healthy living; peace-building and post-conflict recovery; Buddhist education and university level curriculum.
It also aims to popularise Viet Nam's image, culture, people and ecological and religious tourism development.
The event is expected to welcome around 10,000 participants, including 1,500 international guests from some 100 countries and territories worldwide and 8,500 local Buddhists and visitors.
This will be the second time Viet Nam has hosted the event. In 2008, the Vesak celebration in Ha Noi was attended by over 600 Buddhist delegations from around the world. — VNS