National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha meeting for organizing UN Vesak 2014
In the morning of 7th May 2013, at VBS Southern Office , ( Quang Duc Meditation Monastery in Dist No 3, Ho Chi Minh City ), Monks and nuns from Standing Board of VBS Executive Council, National Committee on International Buddhism joined the meeting about the organization of UN Day of Vesak 2014 in Bai Dinh Temple, Ninh Binh, which is hosted by VSB under the endorsement of Vietnam government
HT.Thích Trí Quảng phát biểu khai mạc
Giving opening speech , Most Ven. Thich Tri Quang, Vice President of VBS Executive Council cum Head of National Committee on International Buddhism , went over the Vietnam negotiating process with International Council for the Day of Vesak ( ICDV ) in Thailand to become the host of UN Vesak 2014
Most Ven Thich Tri Quang emphasized that UN Vesak 2014 would be the first international event to be hosted by VBS on a large scale. In the UN Vesak 2008 held by Vietnam Government, VBS worked in collaboration with other units in National Operating Committee including various ministries. As there is not much time left for Vesak Celebrations 2014, VBS should hurry to make good preparation for the success and smoothness of the celebrations. Therefore, Most Ven Thich Tri Quang proposed Most Ven Thich Thanh Nhieu- the present abbot of Bai Dinh Temple to take the place of Honoured President of Vesak 2014 Organizing Committee in Vietnam
As for the coming clelebration, Ven Thich Nhat Tu, Deputy Head of Committee on International Buddhism reported to other monks, nuns and delegates about the process and the result of handing over the hosting right of Vesak 2014 in ICDV Meetings in the last Sep, 2013
Accordingly, VBS Delegation led by Most Ven Thich Thanh Nhieu, came to the agreement with ICDV about Vesak Terms. This year topic is “ Buddhism perspective towards achieving UN Millennium Development Goals” and there are 5 English conferences concerning theme topic and one panel in Vietnamese for Vietnam scholars and researcher. Those conferences are expectedly held in Bai Dinh Temple, Ninh Binh from 9th – 12th May, 2014
Ven Thich Duc Thien, Deputy Secret General of VBS Northern Office gave a report of first-look investigation on facilities especially Bai Dinh Temple and a tentative financial statement for organizing this event. Under the wish of government and Ninh Binh province to campaign for the UN recognition of Trang An landscape complex as the world’s natural heritage, UN Day of Vesak 2014 is believed to be outstanding and marvelous
In the meeting, on behalf of sponsoring enterprises , Mr Nguyen Xuan Truong ( Xuan Truong Corporation ) gave presentation about constructing process of facilities for the celebration. Besides, he made commitment that Xuan Truong corporation would pay all organizing costs as an offering ( 40 billion thousand Dong as estimated )
HT.Thích Thiện Nhơn trình bày về cơ cấu nhân sự dự kiến Ủy ban Tổ chức tại VN
After other reports, Most Ven Thich Thien Nhon, Standing Vice President cum Secretary General of VBS Executive Council, discussed expected members of ICDV in Vietnam.Meanwhile, Most Ven Thich Tri Quang refused to be the Head of Organizing committee, Vice President of committee on foreign affairs and proposed Most Ven Thich Thanh Nhieu , Ven Thich Duc Thien and Ven Thich Nhat Tu to take that place respectively. His decision also got agreement of Prof Le Manh Thanh that young generation should be paved the way to inherit from the old
Moreover, Most Ven Thich Thien Nhon had few words about procedures for VBS to host UN Vesak 2014. The meeting gathered a lot of opinions and proposals to increase the number of Secretary on foreign affairs ( Ven Thich Quang Thanh, Thich Giac Hoang ) and members of subcommittee. Organizing committee ‘s official members would be declared on the of Most Ven of VBS Executive Council
UN Day of Vesak 2014 was commenced and held in Thailand by key members of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) whose founder is Most Ven Prof Brahamapundit –rector of MCU. From that on, Vesak has been held for 10 times among which 9 celebration are held in Thailand and only Vesak 2008 took place in Vietnam. This university has changed its name and charter many times and is now recognized by UN as a member
This is the second time that UN Vesak has been held in VietNam and our country is the only nation besides Thai Lan to host this auspicious event
HT.Thích Thanh Nhiễu phát biểu
News: Hoàng Độ - Pic: Bảo Toàn
Translator : Nguyen Ngoc Anh
