Themed "Buddhist Perspective towards Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals", the event has attracted thousands of Buddhist dignitaries, monks and nuns from nearly 100 countries and territories around the globe.
In his address, Most Venerable Thich Duc Nghiep conveyed the message by the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to the meeting, saying the event creates a good chance for monastic members and lay-followers to share intellectual and spiritual experiences among distinguished scholars and practitioners from all over the world.
The Supreme Patriarch invites delegates to participate in a number of activities of the celebrations such as chanting and prayer for world peace, candle-lit procession, Buddhist cultural performances, Buddhist art exhibition and ecological tour to see cultural heritage of Buddhism in Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung noted since Buddhism entered Vietnam nearly 2,000 years ago, it has stood shoulder to shoulder with the nation, striving for national independence, freedom, and happiness for all.
In Vietnam, freedom of religion and belief is fully enshrined in the Constitution and key laws, he said.
Hung affirmed that during national construction and defence, the Party and State of Vietnam want to expand friendship and cooperation with other countries and international communities on the basis of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, and interests of all countries, looking towards sustainable development.
“Vietnam respects the noble values of religions, including Buddhism, built thousands of years ago, to promote human morality and dignity……. It will work closer together with other countries to build a better world of peace, friendship and cooperation, and look to sustainable development,” he said.
Five seminars on Buddhist contributions to fulfilling UN millennium development goals (MDGs) will be held during the event due to end on May 11.
This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the UN Vesak Day. The first celebration was held in Hanoi in 2008 with the participation of 600 Buddhist delegations from around the world.
Some images taken before the opening ceremony:
