The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations hosted a panel discussion at the UN in New York City on 15 May to mark Vesak, the Buddhist holiday commemorating the birth, awakening, and passing of the Buddha.
The event, titled “Teachings of Gautama Buddha – A Path to Internal and Global Peace,” was co-hosted by Thailand and Sri Lanka and took place in the UN’s Economic and Social Council chamber. Proceedings began with an invocation by monks and nuns in ochre and white robes asking for the Buddha’s blessing.
Participants in the discussion included spiritual leaders, scholars, and senior diplomats from around the world speaking about various ways in which the Buddha’s teachings can be useful in dealing with modern day challenges on the global stage.
Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, India’s permanent representative to the UN, described the importance of the event. “Lord Buddha’s message of compassion, non-violence, and wisdom offers a path to both inner peace and global harmony in a world plagued by crises and suffering,” Harish said, pointing to the need for deeper spiritual reflection in today’s geopolitics. (India New England News)
To honor the many contributions that Buddhism has made to world peace and global spirituality, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 54/115 in 1999, which officially recognized the International Day of Vesak.
Because Vesak occurs on the day of the full moon each May, the calendar date on which it is celebrated changes from one year to the next.
The interim vice-chancellor of Nalanda University, Prof. Abhay Kumar Singh, marked the occasion by explaining the timeless nature of the Buddha’s teaching as part of the panel discussion. Other contributors included Prof. Santosh Kumar Raut, who enumerated the many ways that Buddhist philosophy can help humanity navigate the 21st century.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the group via video message: “The Buddha’s teachings of compassion, tolerance, and selfless service resonate deeply with the values of the United Nations.” (International Business Times)
One major talking point during the discussions was the need for international leaders to work toward peaceful solutions to international problems that would be of benefit to their constituents.
This was epitomized by the words of Ambassador Harish, who added: “The transformative power of Buddhism is not limited to individuals, but it can change societies, it can change nations, and indeed the whole world.” (Punjab News Express)
Harish also stated that beginning with inner and communal peace, there was a path upward through stages that eventually led to “a practice of inter-group (peace), of what we call today as international peace, the peace between groups, between nations at an international level or a regional level. This is the last level representing cultivation of peace and compassion among societies and nations”. (Punjab News Express)
Harish completed his speech by reminding the attendees that India was the birthplace of Buddhism: “Vesak is an occasion for us to celebrate the shared heritage of Buddhism, an occasion to reaffirm and strengthen the cultural and civilizational ties that bind nations of our region.” (Deccan Herald)
He also commented on the shared heritage of all Buddhist-majority countries, which was honored by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visited shrines in Sri Lanka and Thailand in April.
The UN Vesak celebration highlighted the continuing relevance of the Buddha’s teachings in a time of global uncertainty. By drawing together diplomats, scholars, and monastics from across cultures, the event reinforced a shared commitment to peace, compassion, and dialogue—principles that could unite the approximately 500 million Buddhists worldwide to confront global problems in the 21st century.
Learn More
In world on fire, Buddha’s teachings hold key to answers (Punjab News Express)
Buddha’s principle of the middle path relevant in time of global uncertainty: India at UN (International Business Times)
India Hosts UN Panel on Lord Buddha’s Teachings to Mark International Day of Vesak (India New England News)
Buddha’s principle of the middle path relevant in time of global uncertainty: India at UN (Deccan Herald)
Related news reports from BDG
Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia Marks 10th Vesak Festival Anniversary with Record-Breaking Floating Buddha Statue
Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena Leads Week-long Vesak Celebration in Ladakh
Special Report: Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche Marks Vesak with First-Phase Consecration of New Monastery in Lumbini
White House Hosts Buddhist Representatives for Fourth Annual Vesak Observance
Light Up Peace: Vesak Day Celebration at Washington DC
Buddhists Welcomed to White House to Celebrate Vesak
