The National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will host the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) celebrations and international Buddhist conference in Hà Nam Province from May 12 to May 14 next year.— Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

HÀ NỘI — The National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will host the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) celebrations and international Buddhist conference in Hà Nam Province from May 12 to May 14 next year.

The information was released on Thursday in the first preparatory meeting for the UNDV, which was held in Hà Nội. The meeting was attended by representatives from India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, the US, Norway, Hungary, South Korea, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia and Việt Nam.

The theme of the 2019 UNDV conference is ‘Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies’.

“We are happy to announce that the Government of Việt Nam and the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha expect to welcome more than 10,000 participants to the event,” said Most Venerable Thích Thiện Nhơn, Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council.

The participants are set to include heads of states, Buddhist leaders, scholars and Buddhists from about 100 countries and territories across the world.

“The UNDV conference is an important foreign affairs event which helps enhance Việt Nam Buddhism’s role in international integration, and confirms the country’s position and responsibility with the UN,” said Most Venerable Nhơn.

It would also foster ties among Buddhist communities and institutions at national and international levels, and develop Buddhist solutions to global crises, he said.

The UN General Assembly on December 15, 1999 recognised the Day of Vesak to celebrate the thrice-sacred event of the life of the Buddha Gautama. The Buddhist community in different countries have organised activities to celebrate this day every year.

Việt Nam hosted the Fifth and the Eleventh United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations in 2008 and 2014. Since then, Vietnamese Buddhism has witnessed great development in education, culture, social engagement and spiritual practices, said Most Venerable Nhơn.

Next year, the event will be held at the Tam Chúc Pagoda in Kim Bảng District in Hà Nam.

Tam Chúc Pagoda covers nearly 5,000ha, including a lake of 1,000ha, natural mountain and forest of 3,000ha, and the valley of 1,000ha.

Most Venerable Thích Đức Thiện, Deputy Chairman and General Secretary of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said the construction of a huge garden of sutra pillars in the pagoda is underway.

“Upon its completion, this garden of sutra pillars will be the world’s largest of its kind,” said Most Venerable Thiện. — VNS