May 6, 2025 – First Day of the 20th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations
Hello everyone. Starting today, Sunim will be attending the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025 in Vietnam for two days. Vesak is an international Buddhist event commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, designated by the United Nations as an official observance.
After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday at dawn and getting about an hour of sleep, Sunim woke up again at 5:00 AM today. He had a simple breakfast at the accommodation and greeted the participants. At 6:00 AM, he boarded a bus heading to the “Ho Chi Minh Buddhist University” where the event was being held, accompanied by members of the Ho Chi Minh Jungto Society.
The bus waited for all participants to board before departing at 6:30 AM. Thanks to special traffic control by Vietnamese police, they were able to reach the Ho Chi Minh Buddhist University without any delays in just an hour.
Upon arriving at the campus parking area, Sunim joined the large crowd and moved toward the venue where the event at Ho Chi Minh University was being held. Vietnamese citizens and monks dressed in traditional attire warmly welcomed the attendees.
At 8:00 AM, when Sunim arrived at the hall prepared for the event, a traditional performance had just ended, and the introduction of distinguished guests was in progress. Soon after, the official opening ceremony of the 20th UN Day of Vesak began. This year’s event was themed “Human Dignity through Solidarity and Inclusiveness: Buddhist Insights for Global Peace and Sustainable Development,” with approximately 2,700 delegates from 85 countries in attendance. Sunim took his seat among them.
The opening ceremony began with a welcome address by Most Venerable Thích Thiện Nhơn, the representative of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
“The UN Day of Vesak is not only a day to honor the Buddha’s life but also a festival for Buddhists to spread the message of compassion and peace to the world.”
Most Venerable Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, Chairman of the ICDV (International Council for Day of Vesak), stated that “The spirit of inclusiveness where no one is left behind is precisely the Buddhist teaching that humanity needs today,” defining this year’s theme as “a commitment to solidarity for global peace and sustainable development.”
The event brought together top Vietnamese government and Buddhist officials along with numerous foreign dignitaries. Attendees included the President of Vietnam, along with Politburo members such as the Head of the Party’s Propaganda Department and the Party Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City, as well as representatives from various government ministries, former party and state leaders, and delegates from Ho Chi Minh City and other provincial governments.
Taking the podium, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong delivered a welcome speech, noting that “Vietnam has a Buddhist tradition spanning over two thousand years, and throughout history, Buddhism has always accompanied the nation with a spirit of protecting the country and bringing peace to its people.” He also mentioned that “Even today, numerous monks and Buddhists are leading charitable efforts such as poverty eradication, disaster relief, environmental protection, and medical services, greatly contributing to national development and community welfare.” President Luong Cuong stated that “The Vietnamese government is committed to ensuring freedom of religious activities within the rule of law and building solidarity among religions,” adding that “As the host country, we will contribute to building a more compassionate and sustainable peaceful world through the Buddha’s wisdom.”
Throughout the proceedings, various Buddhist figures with connections to Sunim came to greet him. Dr. Ashish Bahve, Director of the International Institute of Indian Culture, was also in attendance at today’s event.
The Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University and a professor from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) recognized Sunim and approached him first to extend their greetings. The Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University respectfully requested that Sunim visit the university to give a lecture.
Most Venerable Thích Nhật Từ, Vice-Rector of Vietnam Buddhist University, Chairman of the International Buddhist Committee, and a member of the Vesak Day Preparatory Committee, also came to greet Sunim.
“Sunim, thank you so much for coming. I’m sorry we couldn’t properly accommodate you.”
“Not at all. You must have worked so hard preparing for this event.”
The two smiled and shook hands, and Most Venerable Thích Nhật Từ guided Sunim to a more comfortable seat.
The event also featured congratulatory speeches from various international leaders. Speeches continued from representatives including Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, delegates from neighboring Buddhist countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, the Indian delegation, representatives from the Republic of Buryatia in Russia, and the Cambodian Minister of Religion, among other leaders.
The opening ceremony concluded at 11:30 AM. The ceremony served as a reminder that Buddhism is not merely a tradition or ritual, but a direction for life toward compassion, peace, and a sustainable future. After the opening ceremony, all participants gathered outside on the circular staircase for a commemorative photo.
Right next to the auditorium, four large tents were set up with spaces for meals and tea. About 1,200 volunteers had prepared meals with great care in Vietnamese style.
After finishing the meal, Sunim returned to the auditorium to attend the afternoon session. Most Venerable Sovichea, Rector of the Battambang Branch of the Royal University of Buddhist Studies in Cambodia, was also attending the event. JTS had supported the construction of a women’s dormitory there last year. Sunim greeted him warmly.
“How are the dormitory students doing?”
“They’re doing very well. They clean every evening. When there are school events, the dormitory students help out. They treat each other like family. We’re constantly thinking about how we can live together more harmoniously.”
“At the opening ceremony, I promised that if the dormitory was successfully managed, an additional one would be built for you.”
“Yes, there’s a piece of land in front of the dormitory that’s for sale.”
“Good. Let’s discuss it in more detail when you come to the INEB event in Korea.”
The afternoon session resumed at 1:15 PM. First, young novice monks performed a gentle dance while singing a song for peace. Then, monks from various countries came forward to offer prayers for peace.
This was followed by congratulatory speeches from Buddhist leaders from around the world. Representatives from various countries including Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Uganda, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia took turns congratulating Buddha’s Birthday and sharing their Buddhist activities and aspirations for peace in their respective countries.
Among them, Bhikkhu Buddharakkhita from Uganda took the podium and said, “Africa is now embracing the Dharma,” sharing how the Buddha’s teachings are permeating the lives of Ugandan people.
He introduced that he had recently established a “Bright Peace School” in Uganda, where he practices Buddhist teachings with 240 children. This year, they also opened a high school and are running a practice program centered on the Eightfold Path. He shared a story about inviting 100 children to the temple for a week-long meditation retreat, after which he suggested they return home, but the children themselves refused to leave.
“The children continue to meditate morning and evening even after returning home, and they create their own Dharma halls to continue their practice. It was a ‘small revolution.'”
The audience applauded in appreciation of his efforts. The vivid example from Uganda demonstrated that Buddhism is not limited to specific regions or cultures but can blossom into peace of mind anywhere.
At 2:30 PM, Bhikkhu Bodhi, President of the Buddhist Association of America, delivered the keynote address. The topic was “How to Protect Human Dignity in Modern Society.” Bhikkhu Bodhi explained that the concept of human dignity is understood intuitively rather than through clear definitions, and that Buddhist precepts inherently contain teachings to respect humans. He emphasized that “the attitude of not harming the vulnerable and bestowing dignity on all living beings” is the core of Buddhist life.
He identified unlimited capitalism, surveillance technology, far-right politics, and war as threats to human dignity in modern society. He pointed out that “economic inequality, data abuse, and hate politics objectify and instrumentalize humans, ultimately destroying dignity.” He also mentioned the ongoing wars and civilian massacres as examples, specifically referencing the tragedy in Gaza, firmly stating that “we must not remain silent to protect human dignity.”
Bhikkhu Bodhi explained that the society Buddhism aspires to is one founded on equality and a just social order. A society where all citizens are guaranteed basic living conditions, education and health rights are ensured, and gender equality is achieved. He said that what we need to create such a society is not simple compassion but “conscientious compassion.” This is compassion that speaks out and acts with the oppressed, compassion that stands in solidarity.
He also emphasized the importance of gender equality in Buddhism and society at large. Women should be able to fully realize their potential, and gender equality should be implemented in all social structures, especially within Buddhist orders, where the female monastic community, the Bhikkhuni Sangha, should be officially recognized and respected. This was a clear challenge to the gender-discriminatory structures that still exist within Buddhist traditions.
Additionally, he mentioned that most of the main speakers at today’s presentation were men, expressing hope that in the future, there would be more balanced representation of men and women. He conveyed a strong message that substantive gender equality should be implemented across religions and society, beyond mere formal equality.
He concluded his speech by emphasizing, “We must support peace and justice for the Palestinian people. Standing in solidarity with them is the way to protect the dignity of all humanity.”
At 3:10 PM, the plenary presentations began. Following Ambassador Pham San Chau’s keynote speech, six Buddhist scholars and leaders gave in-depth presentations on the social realities of their countries and the role of Buddhism, under this year’s UN Vesak Day theme, “Human Dignity through Solidarity and Inclusiveness.”
The first presenter, Most Venerable Thích Nhật Từ (Vice-Rector of Vietnam Buddhist University), introduced the wisdom of living harmoniously with local communities within traditional Vietnamese Buddhism, stating that religious tolerance can also contribute to national integration.
The second presenter, Dr. Phra Brahmapundit (President of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand), introduced case studies from Thai Buddhist education, explaining how compassion and inclusivity can be institutionalized through education. He emphasized, “Teaching must be alive in daily life, and all education should begin with compassion.”
The third presenter, Professor Karam Tej Singh Sarao (former Head of the Buddhist Studies Department at Delhi University, India), addressed inequality and exploitation, noting that “it is difficult to change adults.” He emphasized the importance of early education, stating, “We need to teach children from elementary and middle school to use only what they need and share with others.” The audience nodded deeply when he said, “It is time for the Sangha to focus on education and enlightenment rather than rituals.”
The fourth presenter, Dr. Thich Minh Hoa (President of West University, USA), reflected on Vietnam’s history of war and poverty, stating that education should not merely transfer knowledge but should be “education of the mind.” He particularly emphasized that future generations must embody compassion in their daily lives to create peace.
The fifth presenter, Carlo Luyckx (Vice President of the European Buddhist Union), discussed the possibility of combining European politics with Buddhist values.
“Buddhism is not a religion but a philosophy of life, and politics can also be practiced with awareness, meditation, and moderation.”
Based on his experience as a European politician, he introduced six Buddhist practice virtues to avoid the traps of power, receiving a strong response from the audience.
The sixth presenter, Dr. Sanat Mahawithanage (Director of the Mindfulness Research Institute at Jayawardenepura University, Sri Lanka), presented scientific research showing positive changes in the human brain through mindfulness practice, improved educational achievement, and increased recovery rates among cancer patients.
“Mindfulness is a universal practice beyond Buddhism. I hope it will be specified as a ‘practice of transformation’ in the Vesak Declaration.”
The audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
Venerable Yorn Sena, President of the Royal University of Buddhist Studies in Cambodia, began his presentation by sharing his recent experience in Myanmar. He explained that two weeks ago, he visited Shan State in Myanmar with small donations collected from Cambodian Buddhists. Initially, he was skeptical about whether such a modest contribution could make a significant impact, but after meeting directly with victims, he realized that even small acts of compassion could be turning points in someone’s life.
Reflecting on his experience during Cambodia’s civil war when temples became centers of compassion and community, he emphasized the importance of Buddhism’s social engagement and practical implementation. He particularly urged young monks, “Don’t just stay in the temple; go to where people are suffering,” and appealed with these words:
“Buddhism is not a religion of fantasy. It becomes living teaching only when we are with those who suffer in reality. The real temple should be the battlefield, refugee camps, and slums.”
He mentioned that the older generation is stepping back, emphasizing that the future of Buddhism lies in the hands of young practitioners. His sincere story and practical suggestions resonated deeply, and many participants responded with applause.
During the open discussion that followed the presentations, audience members from Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, and other countries asked questions about Buddhist practice, social engagement, education, and poverty issues. The presenters responded earnestly based on their expertise and experiences.
The presentations and discussions concluded at 5:30 PM. Sunim approached the presenters to greet them.
First, he met Venerable Yorn Sena, President of the Royal University of Buddhist Studies in Cambodia. They already knew each other through a project to build a women’s dormitory for a branch of the Royal University.
“I enjoyed your presentation.”
“Thank you, Sunim. You have become a very influential figure in Cambodia.”
“This book is about Buddha’s life from a socially engaged perspective. It’s a gift for you.”
“Thank you.”
Next, Sunim greeted Venerable Bodhi, President of the American Buddhist Association.
“Venerable, it’s been an honor to meet you here. I will practice well as you suggested.” 
Sunim also presented the book “Buddha the Revolutionary” to Venerable Bodhi. Next, Sunim greeted Venerable Buddharakkhita from Uganda.
“I enjoyed hearing about your activities in Uganda.”
“Oh, you’re from Korea. I really like Korea. Thank you.”
Sunim also gave a book to Venerable Buddharakkhita. Then Sunim greeted Professor Karam, former Head of the Buddhist Studies Department at Delhi University, India, and presented him with a book as well.
After dinner, at 6:30 PM, the final event of the day, “Lantern Lighting Ceremony for World Peace,” began at Lumbini Cultural Park in front of the main temple. About 12,000 participants, including 1,300 international representatives from 85 countries, attended the ceremony.
The lighting ceremony began with cultural performances, followed by meditation and sutra recitation.
Seven large lotus decorations were installed in the lake at Lumbini Cultural Park, adding solemnity to the event. Participants also lit small lanterns, praying for personal and global peace.
Sunim and the Ho Chi Minh Jungto Society members left the venue early and boarded the bus at 8 PM. They waited for all participants to board and departed for their accommodation at 9 PM.
After an hour’s drive, they arrived at their accommodation after 10 PM. Ms. Phuong, who had previously visited Jungto Society through INEB (International Network of Engaged Buddhists), was waiting to greet Sunim.
After warmly greeting Ms. Phuong, Sunim briefly shared impressions of today’s event with the Jungto Society members.
“Thank you all for your hard work today. Since it’s late, let’s briefly share our impressions of today.”
The Jungto Society members took turns sharing their impressions in one or two sentences.
“It was good to see such a large international event and compare it with how Jungto Society organizes events.”
“I’m very tired, but it was good.”
“Thank you, Sunim, for allowing us to participate in such a major international event.”
“Even though I couldn’t understand the content properly, just seeing Sunim’s face was wonderful.”
Finally, Sunim shared his impressions.
“This is the first time I’ve seen so many monks gathered at once. Although many presentations in the morning and afternoon repeated similar ideas, at international events like this, it’s impossible to let some dignitaries speak while excluding others. When organizing events, there are practical difficulties. Your presence alone was a great help. Just by filling seats and listening, you played an important role. Not every participant can go on stage and speak. Thank you all for your hard work.”
Since they needed to depart at 6 AM tomorrow, they quickly concluded the sharing and returned to their rooms. Ms. Phuong waited until the sharing was over to have a conversation with Sunim.
Ms. Phuong is preparing for her doctoral studies and researching the relationship between the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha and the government, as well as how Buddhism can contribute to social development. They discussed various topics, including her study abroad preparations and research concerns. After a serious conversation, Ms. Phuong expressed her sincere gratitude to Venerable Pomnyun Sunim.
“Sunim, I wanted to tell you that I’m following your teachings. Although I had difficulty understanding Korean, thanks to the English version of ‘A Day in the Life of Sunim,’ I’ve been able to access and deeply understand your Dharma talks every day. Recently, I’ve started bowing. Not 108 bows, but I practice for 30 minutes every day. Your Dharma talks, which explain social issues through a Buddhist perspective, have been a great source of strength for me. Especially your words that ‘Buddha was not a god but a human who found and showed us the way out of suffering,’ and your teachings on how to overcome social discrimination and injustice have changed the direction of my activities. Thank you so much.”
After about an hour of conversation, it was past 11:30 PM. Sunim organized gifts for the senior Vietnamese monks he would meet tomorrow and went to bed.
Tomorrow, he will wake up at 5 AM, participate in the UN Vesak Day events all day, and then return to Korea on a night flight.
Since there was no Dharma talk today, I’ll conclude with a conversation between Sunim and a questioner from last month’s Friday Dharma Q&A session on the 25th.
How Should I Handle My Daughter Who Wants to Cut Ties with Me?
“Your eldest daughter is currently in a psychologically unstable state. The best approach now would be for her to seek medical attention. However, going to the hospital must be her own choice; no one can force her. In this situation, it’s important to approach carefully. If you even mention the word ‘hospital,’ she’s likely to strongly resist, saying, ‘Are you treating me like I’m mentally ill?’ The reality is that she already has psychological issues, but neither she nor her sister recognizes this fact, and they’re having conflicts as if they were both mentally healthy. 
“The situation has deteriorated because you initially made the wrong judgment about ‘who should leave the house.’ The mentally healthier person should be the one to move out. If someone in the family needs to leave, it should be the younger daughter. The second daughter is relatively emotionally stable and can manage living alone without major issues. The eldest, however, is psychologically unstable and should remain under family protection.
The ideal solution would be for your eldest daughter to voluntarily seek counseling at a hospital. If that’s difficult, you can either leave the situation as is and observe, or temporarily separate the younger daughter who is at the center of the conflict. If the second daughter leaves the house, it might reduce some of the tension for the eldest. Of course, the current problem isn’t entirely because of the second daughter. The eldest daughter is experiencing psychological difficulties, and her sister has simply become the target of her conflict. From the eldest daughter’s perspective, she misunderstands that you favor her sister more and have ultimately taken her side. That’s why she’s thinking things like, ‘You’re no longer my mother’ and ‘I don’t want to speak with any of you.’
If this psychological state worsens, it could lead to self-harm or extreme choices. If she starts thinking, ‘They’ll regret it when I’m dead,’ the risk of suicide increases. There are two types of mental illness manifestations. One is harming others to prove one’s righteousness, and the other is taking one’s own life. In everyday life, we sometimes shout, ‘Do I need to die for you to come to your senses?’ when arguing with a spouse or child. The psychology of ‘They’ll only understand my value when I’m gone’ is a self-harming tendency. When angry, one tries to make others regret by either hurting them or hurting oneself. Your eldest daughter is showing a similar psychological structure. Therefore, you must absolutely avoid provoking her. No nagging, no persuasion. Simply being there silently is the best approach. If you want to help even a little, try to keep the younger sister out of the eldest’s sight. Suggesting hospital treatment is an option, but one wrong word could worsen the situation.”
“When I suggested psychological counseling, my eldest daughter strongly objected, saying, ‘Why should only I receive it?’ and ‘What’s wrong with me?'”
“She resists because acknowledging her illness means accepting that she is the problem. Right now, your eldest daughter believes the problem lies with you and her sister. She believes she’s done nothing wrong. But the moment she agrees to counseling, it’s like admitting that the source of the problem is within herself, which is why she’s reacting with refusal. This is precisely why people with mental health issues often reject hospitals or counseling. The moment they acknowledge their illness, they have to face their own issues. 
At this point, the best approach is to leave your eldest daughter alone. Tell the younger daughter not to provoke her sister and to stay quiet, as if she’s barely there. If your eldest daughter’s condition worsens, another option is to have the younger daughter temporarily stay elsewhere. This isn’t about completely removing her, but temporarily separating them until the eldest’s psychological state stabilizes. This isn’t simply a matter of sibling rivalry. It stems from your eldest daughter’s psychological difficulties. The good news is that she’s still going to work. If her condition deteriorates further, she might not be able to go to work and might stay in her room all day. The fact that she’s still going to work is somewhat reassuring.”
“Yes, she goes to work and enjoys skateboarding as a hobby. She went out to skateboard today as well.”
“Yes, that’s a good sign. In this situation, it’s best for you not to intervene too deeply and just observe. If you want to do something, temporarily separating the younger daughter to give the eldest time to collect herself might be one approach. Of course, from the younger daughter’s perspective, this might seem unfair and cause resentment, but right now, protecting your psychologically unstable eldest daughter is the priority.” 
“When my eldest daughter is in her room, would it be triggering if her sister eats, laughs, and talks loudly in the living room?”
“Absolutely. Your eldest daughter might interpret it as, ‘They’re having a good time together without me.'”
“I understand. Thank you.”
