THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam’s President Luong Cuong emphasized the importance of selflessness and compassion in policymaking for the greater good during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City, May 6–8, 2025.
President Luong Cuong and Most. Ven. Thich Tri Quang at the opening of the 20th UN Day of Vesak 2025. Photo: The Organizers
“In our pursuit of progress, we must prioritize compassion and wisdom in our policies and strategies,” President Cuong stated. “We should always act with the well-being of others in mind, rather than being driven by self-interest.”
According to President Cuong, the Buddha’s teachings of compassion and wisdom remain as relevant today as they were over 2,600 years ago, providing a source of inspiration for those striving for peace, harmony, and sustainability worldwide.
He highlighted the Buddha’s message that true peace originates from inner tranquility, and thus, peace in society can only be achieved by transforming individuals’ beliefs and shaping a collective mindset.
International guests at Vesak 2025. Photo: The Organizers
The theme of Vesak 2025, “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” was praised by President Cuong as a powerful message in a world grappling with conflict, inequality, climate change, and declining social ethics.
This year’s theme aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and emphasizes the organization’s commitment to fostering tolerance, compassion, and harmony—values inspired by the Buddha.
Holding Vesak in Ho Chi Minh City this year is especially significant, as it coincides with Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of reunification, symbolizing the country’s journey toward peace, reconciliation, unity, harmony, and prosperity.
Vesak commemorates three pivotal events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Nirvana. It is a time when people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate the enduring values of Buddhism: compassion, wisdom, and peace.
Vietnam has had the honor of hosting the UN Day of Vesak on four occasions: 2008, 2014, 2019, and now in 2025.
Flag-raising ceremony on May 5. Photo: VOV
Buddhism’s Role in Vietnam
For Vietnam, Vesak is more than just a religious event; it is a significant occasion for Buddhist practitioners and those with a deep connection to Buddhism, including the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha and the nation as a whole.
Buddhism has been an integral part of Vietnamese culture and history for over two millennia, promoting values of patriotism, tolerance, and goodness that have shaped the country’s national identity.
The Vietnam Buddhist Shangha continues to play a vital role in the country’s development by providing charity and social welfare services, contributing to poverty alleviation, disaster relief, environmental protection, and public health initiatives, all of which support the nation’s sustainable development goals.
President Cuong affirmed the state’s support for all religions, including Buddhism, as long as they operate within the framework of the law. He emphasized that religious freedom is a cornerstone of national unity.
Buddhists at Vesak 2025. Photo: VOV
Vesak 2025: A Global Gathering
The 20th United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations, hosted at the Vietnam Buddhist University, brought together nearly 3,000 delegates, including over 1,200 international participants.
Among the distinguished guests were Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, India’s Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju, and Most Ven. Phra Brahmapundit from the International Council for Day of Vesak.
Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), emphasized the principles of unity and tolerance in Buddhist teachings. He highlighted how these values promote compassion, wisdom, and the pursuit of collective peace, happiness, and sustainable development for all nations.
The global Buddhist community, including the Vietnam Sangha, is founded on the principle of the Six Harmonies, fostering a pure monastic order and a united, resilient, and joyful society.
Most. Ven. Thich Tri Quang encouraged all Buddhists to embody compassion and spread love, wisdom, and tolerance to illuminate the world.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent a special message to Buddhists worldwide on the occasion of Vesak 2025, noting the deep resonance between the Buddha’s teachings and the values of the United Nations. He emphasized that in an era of global challenges, these timeless principles must guide our path forward.
The Day of Vesak 2025 featured a range of activities, including the raising of a 500-square-meter Buddhist flag—the largest in the world—at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy. This flag symbolizes 2,569 years of Buddhism and global unity, reflecting the themes of peace and compassion.
The Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Exhibition also opened, showcasing 87 national treasures and providing a glimpse into the rich heritage of Vietnamese Buddhism.
The sarira of Buddha. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of India in Vietnam
Additionally, the sacred heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, a Vietnamese venerable who self-immolated in 1963, found its permanent home at the Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda, where it will be open for public viewing.
One of the highlights of Vesak 2025 is the procession and veneration of the sarira of Buddha, brought to Vietnam from India. This sacred relic, usually stored at the National Museum in New Delhi, will be on veneration at four prominent pagodas across Vietnam, attracting millions of devotees.
The sarira of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc. Photo: Giacngo Newspaper
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