On 5 June 2015, H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, and Dr. Amrith Rohan Perera, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, co-chaired the celebration of the Day of Vesak event held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event was attend by H.E. Mrs. Lyutha S. Al-Mughairy, Acting President of the 69th Session of the General Assembly, together with Permanent Representatives and representatives from 16 other countries who delivered statements on the occasion. In addition, the event was participated by monks and over 400 participants from local Buddhist communities in and around New York.

 

            During the event, H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, reiterated the importance of the Day of Vesak as one of the most important days for Buddhism and Buddhists. It is the day that marks the birth, the enlightenment and the passing of Lord Buddha. On this day, Buddhists around the world would gather to commemorate and reflect on the three jewels of Buddhism namely the Lord Buddha, His teachings or Dhamma and the community of monks or the Sangha. This year’s celebration of the Day of Vesak marks the 16th anniversary of the adoption by the 54th Session of the United Nations General Assembly a resolution that recognized Buddhism’s continued contribution to the spirituality of humanity. One of Buddha’s main messages to humanity is to adopt good conduct through the avoidance of unwholesome actions. Buddha’s timeless teaching can inspire and guide the international community to overcome modern day challenges through stronger global partnership and leadership based on reason, knowledge and spirit of brotherhood that respect human dignity. The event also reflected the inter-faith nature of the celebration as there were participants from both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Eventhough the majority of Thailand’s population profess Buddhisms, nevertheless, Thailand attaches utmost importance to values of tolerance, solidarity and understanding amongst different religions and civilizations. 

 

            Earlier the same morning, H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, also co-hosted a food offering ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Nations. The ceremony was attended by monks from various Buddhist communities namely Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia and Japan.