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Buddha's message of compassion "timeless", UN chief says on Day of Vesak

Xinhua, May 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on the global community to draw inspiration from the journey of Lord Buddha and embrace his message of compassion, saying that Buddha's message is "timeless."

In his message to mark the Day of Vesak, Guterres said that the message of compassion of Lord Buddha is "timeless," and "in our interconnected world, there can be no peace as long as others are in peril; no security as long as others suffer deprivation; no sustainable future until all members of our human family enjoy their human rights."

Millions of people around the world are celebrating the Day of Vesak, which falls on May 10. The day acknowledges the contribution that Buddhism has made for over two and a half millennia to the spirituality of humanity.

Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world.

It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., 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 eightieth year passed away.

The UN General Assembly, by adopting a resolution in 1999, recognized internationally the Day of Vesak to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world. This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices, in consultation with the relevant UN offices and with permanent missions, which also wish to be consulted. Endit