Messages from Malaysia
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Dr. Victor Wee, Malaysia
24 March 2014
Most Venerable Professor Dr. Phra Brahmapundit
President, International Council for Day of Vesak Rector, Mahachulalongkorn Raja Vidyalaya University President, International Association of Buddhist Universities
Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu
Chairman ICDV-UNDV 2014 International Organizing Committee Standing Vice President of NVBS, Vietnam
With Deep Respect for the Most Venerables,
Please allow me to extend our warmest felicitation and heartiest congratulations on the most auspicious occasion of the “11th United Nations Day of Vesak and International Buddhist Conference 2014” hosted by the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for the second time in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam from 7-11 May 2014. By bringing together 10,000 participants, this event provides a fitting opportunity to recognize the rich Buddhist cultural heritage and tradition of Vietnam, which stands out as an attractive destination for Buddhist religious tourism.
The Buddha often encourages us to meet from time to time for the healthy and intelligent discussion of the Dhamma. The august congregation of Buddhist leaders, scholars and practitioners from the Buddhist world will enrich understanding of how Buddhists should respond to current global issues relating to sustainable development, climate change and environmental protection, as well as building a strong foundation for world peace and understanding.
On behalf of all Buddhist in Malaysia, we convey our highest regards of good health and success to the organizing team. May this meaningful event be blessed with success and further the understanding and cooperation among Buddhists across the world.
With Metta,
Datuk Seri Dr Victor Wee President
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Mr. Goh Seng Chai, PJK, PBB, Malaysia
It is a pleasure for me to be invited to write a Congratulatory Message for this auspicious United Nations Day of Vesak 2014 which is to be celebrated in Bai Diinh Temple, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam on 7 – 11 May 2014.
This is the second time Vietnam is hosting the Celebration. The first celebration was held in 2008 of which I was also involved. The Local Organizing Committee is working very hard to make this international event a success.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartiest Congratulations to International Council for the Day Vesak (ICDV) for being admitted and recognized by the Economic and Social Council of United Nations as a special Consultative. As a recognition.
ICDV declared that the main Theme for this UNDV 2014 as Buddhist Perspective towards Achieving the UN Millennium Goals and the sub-Theme of 1. Buddhist Response to Sustainable Development and Social Change, 2. Buddhist Response to Global Warming and Environment Protection, 3. Buddhist Contribution to Healthy Living, 4. Peace-building and Post-Conflict Recovery and 5. Buddhist Education and University Level Curriculum.
On behalf of Loka Mitta Buddhist Fellowship Malaysia, we would like send our best wishes and greetings to National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for taking such a bold steps to organize this gigantic Buddhist event – United Nations Day of Vesak 2014. We wish the 2014 UNDV Celebration and International Buddhist Conference a great successful.
On the occasion of the thrice-sacred Day of Vesak 2014 which falls on 13 May 2014, we wish extend our best wishes, warmest greetings and a blessed Happy and Joyous Vesak to all the Buddhists all over the world.
The main Theme and sub-Theme for the 11th Anniversary Celebration of the United Nations Day of Vesak which is most appropriate and timely.
We should translate what discuss at the Workshops into Action Plans and all these Action Plans should be put into motion. Buddhist education is most important in our live, we should always encourage all our Buddhist Brothers and Sisters to put into practice on the threefold Buddhist education i.e. Sila, Samadhi and Panna.
The Thrice-sacred day of Vesak is a day where we should devout our time and energy for the practice of Metta and Karuna (Loving-kindness and Compassion) as foundation of our true awakening. It is not just a day for the Buddhist to get together and meet to celebrate the 11th Anniversary of the United Nations Day of Vesak but it is also the day for us as Buddhists to remember the Teachings of our Great Master, The Buddha.
Today the world is faced with various kinds of global problems and disturbances such as suicides, drugs among the young, terrorism, wars, political and religious conflicts and many other issues due to lack of practice of the noble Teaching of Lord Gautama Buddha. It is time for us to reflect on our individual weaknesses such as ego and jealousy. I called upon everyone not to delay in starting practice of Metta and Karuna. If we not have the Dhamma of the Buddha in us, we will always feel miserable in leading our daily life. Not only that, we should start practicing the virtues of the Lord Buddha in order to improve spiritual life.
In conclusion I wish this celebration a great success! With Buddha-Dhamma as the guiding energy, let us all work together to help this world become a better place to live in. Sukhi Hotu!
With the blessings of the noble Triple Gem, may all Beings be well and happy.
Goh Seng Chai, PJK, PBB
President, Loka Mitta Buddhist Fellowship Malaysia
Assistant Secretary-General, International Council for United Nations Day of Vesak (ICDV)
Consultant, Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM)
Member of Advisory Board, International Association of Buddhist
Universities (IABU)
Lay Advisor, Setenang Buddhist Society Selangor & Kuala Lumpur.
Lay Advisor, Selangor Khamgar Druk Dharmakara Buddhist Association
Consultant/Special Advisor to Buddhist Federation of Australia
Consultant/Special Advisor to United Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation of Australia & New Zealand
