(VOVWORLD) - An international conference was held at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday as part of the ongoing UN Vesak, the most important Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
 The plenary session of the UN Vesak Conference (Photo: Tien Luc/ VNA) |
The Organizing Committee received 950 presentations from representatives of Buddhist Sanghas and organizations of over 100 countries.
Most Venerable Thich Nhat Tu, Standing Member of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Vice President of the International Vesak Committee 2025, said the presentations focused on the Buddha’s teachings on patriotism, war, and environmental issues, as well as ways to amplify the voice of Buddhism on international platforms.
 Most Venerable Thich Nhat Tu (Photo: Vinh Phong) |
“Two main themes of the conference are ‘Dignity’ and ‘Inclusivity.’ Inclusivity teaches us to respect differences and open our hearts to connect with the global community, despite political, religious, or cultural differences. Vietnam’s rising era, initiated by Party General Secretary To Lam and Vietnam’s ‘bamboo diplomacy,’ are aligned with what the Buddha taught in the sutras 26 centuries ago. Tolerance encompasses inclusivity. It means everyone is cared for, supported, accompanied, and that they share a collective responsibility. This is a common value upheld by the United Nations, Buddhism, and Vietnam,” said Most Venerable Thich Nhat Tu
Following the plenary session, there were five panel discussions on Nurturing inner peace for world peace; Healing through mindfulness: The path to reconciliation; Buddhist compassion: A shared responsibility for human development; Mindfulness in education for a compassionate and sustainable future; and Promoting solidarity: Collaborative efforts for global harmony.
 Dr. Ta Minh Hoa, President of the US University of the West (3rd from left) (Photo: Vinh Phong) |
Dr. Ta Minh Hoa, President of the US University of the West (UWest), said: “Vietnam has moved past wars, forgiven hatred, and embraced a spirit of building the nation and the future for its younger generations. Vietnam is my homeland. I’m proud to return and witness the development of Ho Chi Minh City and the overall improvement in the people’s living standards and happiness across the country. At Vesak, I discuss peace and offer ideas to improve people's lives and help build a stronger Vietnam.”
On Tuesday evening, over 35,000 lanterns were lit by venerable monks and nuns at the Buddhist Academy campus to pray for national prosperity, global peace, and well-being for all sentient beings.