Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to extend my congratulations to all of you celebrating Vesak Day, says a press release received here today from New York.
The sacred Day of Vesak offers an opportunity to reflect on the timeless wisdom of Buddha.
It is indeed a day to commemorate his teachings of peace, compassion, humility, and wisdom which are more relevant today as they were over 2,500 years ago.
Born a prince, he rose above self-interest and went out into the world to help overcome human suffering and an “inner” peace as the path to harmony and peace among individuals, communities and nations.
The central teachings of Buddha on the fundamental equality of all people regardless of status, or circumstances, or characteristics - are fully aligned with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.
His core message remains that of tolerance, empathy and compassion.
These virtues can serve as an inspiration to us all as we confront the global pandemic and multiple global challenges.
Lord Buddha also taught us the Four Sublime States which are Kindness or Metta, Compassion or Karuna, Sympathetic Joy or Mudita and Equanimity or Upekha.
In other words, we should learn to live peacefully, to sympathize, to share, to help, to forgive, to love, and to bring joy and happiness to others.
Peace, understanding and a vision of humanity that supersedes national and other international differences are essential if we are to cope with the complexities of our times.
This philosophy lies at the heart of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On this Day of Vesak, let us renew our commitment to stand together as One Humanity, show kindness and compassion to the most vulnerable and truly leave no one behind as we face those turbulent and difficult times together.
Happy Vesak Day.
