Buddhists around the world regard Vesak, the day of the full moon in May, as the most sacred.
The United Nations:
The United Nations has commemorated International Vesak Day, which marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha. This year was May 7, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed. The Buddha’s message of solidarity and service to others is more important than ever, said UN chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday, adding that only global cooperation can cope with the terrible economic and social fallout from the pandemic.
“It is only by combining our energies and our know-how that we will be able to face the enormous fragilities of our world today. It is only thanks to international cooperation that we will mitigate the economic and social consequences of the crisis, which are ubiquitous but place a particular burden on the world‘s poorest. vulnerable people, “said Mr. Guterres.
The UN chief said it is only by building bridges “that we will recover and build a healthier, more inclusive, sustainable, resilient and equitable world“.
The Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti, said: “We must now, more than ever, remember the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, which teach us to end the cycle of suffering. Buddha said, “No one saves us but ourselves.” Mr. Tirumurti was speaking during the virtual commemoration of the event. Sri Lanka and Thailand were also among the participating countries. Mr. Tirumurti recalled the occasion where he oversaw the making and donation of a replica of the Sarnath Buddha in Sri Lanka.
“We are facing a global health crisis unparalleled in the 75 years of United Nations history and it affects us all. In these times of great anxiety, faith can be an important source of comfort and community resilience”, a said the President of the General Assembly, said Tijjani Muhammad-Bande. The Buddhist teaching of “give, even if you have a little”, can serve as a balm for those struggling with the pandemic.
Millions of Buddhists around the world consider Vesak, the day of the full moon in May, to be the most sacred. It was Vesak’s day, in the year 623 BC, that the Buddha was born. It was also on this day that the Buddha attained enlightenment and died in his 80th year. In 1999, it one day became designated by the UN, to recognize the contribution of Buddhism to society.
