Ha Nam shows active coordination in hosting UN Vesak Day 2019

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 The People’s Committee of Ha Nam held a conference on March 5 to launch the plan to coordinate with and support the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to organise the UN Day of Vesak 2019, which is slated for May 10-15 at the Tam Chuc Buddhist Culture Centre in Kim Bang district.

The provincial People’s Committee directed departments, sectors, and agencies to assist the sub-committees of the organisation board of the UN Day of Vesak in preparation works, including security, transport safety, healthcare services, power supply, environmental sanitation, and food safety.

The province will also organise a peace-praying ceremony for volunteers to join, while carrying out activities of the UN Day of Vesak across several districts and cities.

Addressing the event, Chairman of the Ha Nam People’s Committee Nguyen Xuan Dong said that supporting the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in hosting the UN Day of Vesak 2019 is among important tasks of the province in the year.

He asked the investor of the Tam Chuc Buddhist Culture Centre to ensure the project’s progress, as well as safety for visitors.

The UN Day of Vesak 2019 expects over 10,000 participants, including 1,500 dignitaries, monks, leaders of Buddhist organisations, scientists, and researchers; as well as Buddhist followers from over 100 countries and territories all over the globe.

The event is a chance for Vietnam to promote its nation, people, and culture, as well as the solidarity across its various regions, affirming the Party and State’s policy of ensuring religious freedom.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the year’s most sacred day to the millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his 80th year passed away.

The UN General Assembly internationally recognised the Day of Vesak in 1999 to acknowledge the contributions that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity.

The UN Day of Vesak was first held in 2001.