DDM Sangha attended 16th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration in 2019
On May 12, 2019, the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration was held at Tam Chuc, Vietnam by the Executive Council of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, NVBS, in corporation with the International Council of the United Nations Day of Vesak, ICDV, as well as the Government of Vietnam.
Over 1,600 participants from 112 countries worldwide experienced Vietnamese Buddhist culture amidst the scenic lakes and mountains. On top of the lake surface, a Lighting Ceremony and a Dharma assembly were conducted to pray for blessings, commemorating the Buddha for revealing the true wisdom that brings peace and blissfulness to the world.
On behalf of DDM Sangha, Venerable Chang Sui (常隨法師), the Deputy Secretary of DDM Social Welfare & Charity Foundation, attended the conference and presented a paper titled “Enrichment of the Spirit from The Six Ethics of the Mind.”
Venerable Chang Sui , first on the left, attended the International Conference of United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration in Vietnam. With “Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies” as its theme, the Academic Conference of the Day of Vesak covered several sub-topics, such as “Mindful Leadership for Sustainable Peace”, “Buddhist Approach to Global Education in Ethics”, as well as “Harmonious Families, Healthcare System and Sustainable Development”, providing an opportunity for in-depth and multi-dimensional discussion on the issue of Buddhists’ social participation and responsibilities in response to the global trends and needs.
Incorporating late Master Sheng Yen’s interpretation of the Platform Sutra with “The Six Ethics of the Mind” campaign, Venerable Chang Sui presented an in-depth introduction on how to apply the Buddhist practices of “no-form(無相), no- thought (無念), non-abiding (無住)” and the ideals of “The Six Ethics of the Mind” in daily life. Drawing from the Theravada and traditions as represented by the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh, other scholars also put forth their own perspectives on Global Ethics Education, generating enthusiastic responses from the audience.
In the closing ceremony, Truong Hoa Binh, the current First Deputy Prime Minister of The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, along with Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, Chairman of the United Nations Day of Vesak, exhorted continuing communications among the participants so as to put the reviewed programs into practice and promote a better future for humankind.
Apart from the events in Vietnam, UNVC also organized celebrations at Mahachulalongkornraja-vidyalaya University in Bangkok, including a “Mindfulness Forum” at the Asian and Pacific offices of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission, as well as a prayer ceremony to circumambulate the Buddha at Buddhamonthon. Venerable Yan Yi (演義法師) and Venerable Yan Hua (演化法師) attended the celebrations on behalf of DDM Sangha.
While in New York, the commemorative events and forums held at the UN Headquarters saw Venerable Chang Hwa (常華法師), the Director of the DDM Chan Meditation Center, along with Venerable Chang Xun (常勳法師) as the representatives for DDM.
Texts: Venerable Chang Sui (常隨法師)
Photos: Dharma Drum Monthly
More info Translation: Elenda Huang
Editing: Christine Huang; John Wu (吳俊宏); DDM Editorial Team