About

Due to the General Assambly of the United Nations, the United Nations at its 54 meeting in December 1999 designated the Day of Vesak as the United Nations Day of Vesak and scheduled the celebration on UN Day of Vesak at the head office and branch offices in May every year. Thailand by the Sangha, the government and the people have consecutively organized activities to celebrate UN Day of Vesak every year from that year until now both at the national and local levels as well as internationally. At the international level, the International Organizing Committee (IOC) met on 12^th September 2008 at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University had unanimous resolution to set up International Council of UN Day of Vesak to carry out the celebration of unity and efficiency.

For the organizing of the 17^th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration 2022, Members of International Council for the Day of Vesak had unanimous resolution to organize the 17^th celebration of UN Day of Vesak on the theme “Compassion in Times of Crises: Buddhist Practices in Healing Global Community” to carry out the celebrating activities on UN Day of Vesak 2022, with the targeted participants comprised 3,000 religious leaders and Buddhists from 85 countries with the following events:

1. On 11^th May 2022, an international seminar on the subheading “Buddhist Methods for Mental, Physical and Social Healing in an Epidemic Situation” organized by Mahamakut Buddhist University;
2. On 12^th May 2022, an international seminars on “Compassion in Times of Crises : Buddhist Practices in Healing Global Community” organized by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in the form of online meeting via electronic media (Zoom) Link: https://zoom.us/j/9989933546, getting started at 8:00 a.m.;
3. On 13^th May 2022, the United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration 2022 at United Nations Conference Centre, Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, Bangkok, Thailand and online via electronic media (Zoom) Link: https://zoom.us/j/9989933546, getting started at 8:00 a.m.

OBJECTIVES

1. To celebrate UN Day of Vesak;
2. To create good cooperation between the Buddhist communities and Buddhist organizations from national to international level in accordance with government policy;
3. To jointly create alternatives for applying Buddhism for the benefit of the happiness of mankind; and
4. To jointly proclaim the principles of Buddhism as an important civilization of the world through academic activities, religious ceremonies and community life.

EVENTS

11^th May 2022

-The inauguration ceremony of the the 17^th UN Day of Vesak Celebration 2022;

-A keynote speech on “Vesak Day: Buddhist Wisdom to World Peace”;

-A keynote speech on “Dhamma, Disruption, and Defense: COVID-19 in Buddhist Perspective and Practice”;

-A group seminar on “Post-COVID-19Thoughts: Buddhism and Sustainable Development”; and

         -Learning lessons and sharing experiences of peace in the community and society

12^th May 2022

-The inauguration ceremony of the 17^th UN Day of Vesak Celebration 2022;

-A keynote speech on “How do Buddhists handle COVID-19?”;

-A group seminar on “Buddhist Practices for Peace and Solidarity in Times of Conflict”; and

         -Learning lessons and sharing experiences of peace in the community and society

13^th May 2022

-Organizing the 17^th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration at United Nations Conference Centre, Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, Bangkok, Thailand and online via electronic media (Zoom);

– The inauguration ceremony of the international celebration and Buddhist activities, international academic seminar on “Compassion in Times of Crises: Buddhist Practices in Healing Global Community”;

–Messages from Thai and International Supreme Patriarchs, Buddhist Leaders, and

Political Leaders;

-An international seminar on “Buddhist Approaches to Health of Mind, Body and

Communities during Pandemic and Buddhist Practices for Peace and Solidarity in Times of Conflict”; and

–2022 Bangkok Declaration.

PRODUCTIVITY GOALS

1. Qualitative Goals

To join the celebration of the UN Day of Vesak together with United Nations

Headquarters and to commemorate the good cooperation of the Buddhist community and Buddhist organizations around the world from national to international level in accordance with government policy, to jointly create alternatives to apply the Buddha’s teachings to the world’s crises, and to jointly proclaim the principles of Buddhism as an important civilization of the world through academic activities, religious rituals and community ways to the world stage.

 

2. Quantitative Goals

3,000 participants in international Buddhism events and conferences from 85

Countries as follows:

• Leaders, academics and scholars of both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism from abroad;
• Foreign participants;
• Representatives of Thai Sangha Supreme Council, Sangha and Sangha Leaders;
• Cabinet, diplomats, and Buddhist scholars;
• Thai Buddhists;
• Media from Thailand and abroad;
• Administrators, lecturers, support staff and students from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and Mahamakut Buddhist University.

3. Time Goals

The duration of the event is 3 days, from 11^th to 13^th May 2022 as follows:

1. On 11^th May 2022, an international seminar on “Buddhist healing of Mental, Physical and Social Health in an Epidemic Situation” organized by Mahamakut Buddhist University;
2. On 12^th May 2022, a group seminar on “Buddhist Practices for Peace and Solidarity in Times of Conflict” organized by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University; and
3. On 13th May 2022, the 17^th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration at United Nations Conference Centre, Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, Bangkok, Thailand and online via electronic media (Zoom).

EVENT SPONSORS

1. Government of Thailand;
2. Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture;
3. National Office of Buddhism;
4. Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University;
5. International Council of UN Day of Vesak and International Association of Buddhist Universities;
6. Wat Prayurawongsawasworavihan; and

7.Private sector and general believers.

EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Having joined the celebration of UN Day of Vesak together with the United Nations Headquarters;
2. Having got a good cooperation between the Buddhist communities and Buddhist organizations from national to international level in accordance with government policy;
3. Having jointly created alternatives for applying Buddhism for the benefit of the happiness of mankind; and
4. Having jointly proclaimed the principles of Buddhism as an important civilization of the world through academic activities, religious ceremonies and community life.