Viet Nam preps for Buddhist festival

Viet Nam is preparing to celebrate the United Nations Day of Vesak 2014 (the day of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death) at Bai Dinh Temple in the northern province of Ninh Binh from May 7-11.

"Preparation for the event is mainly complete," said Thich Thanh Nhieu, chairman of the United Nations Day of Vesak International Council, at a press conference yesterday.

The day will be an international event contributing to the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in international integration and promoting the country's culture and people," said Nhieu.

An organising board and 2,000 volunteers are ready to receive about 10,000 participants, including 1,500 guests from 100 countries and 8,500 local Buddhists and visitors.

The event, which is being organised in collaboration with the International Council for the Day of Vesak, will include Buddhist conferences, a film festival and photo exhibitions.

The event will focus activities on Buddhist responses to sustainable development and social change; global warming and environmental protection; healthy living; peace-building and post-conflict recovery; Buddhist education and university level curriculum.

This is the second time Viet Nam has hosted the event. In 2008, the fifth Vesak celebration was organised in Ha Noi with attendants from over 600 Buddhist delegations from around the world.

Source: vietnamnews.vn (Apr. 29, 2014)