On the auspicious occasion of the Vesak Full Moon Day or Buddha Poornima, Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok, Kalon for Religion and Culture, CTA delivered a speech on the occasion of Vesak, International Buddha Poornima organised by International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Delhi and Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, (ABCP) Mongolia.The festival was virtually held in their respective countries. Hon’ble Kalon is the head of ABCP Tibetan national centre and Vice President of IBC.
Most venerable members of the Mahasangha; dear Buddhist brothers and sisters all over the world:
I am very honored and pleased to extend my warmest greetings to all of you on the most auspicious occasion of the Vesak or Buddha Purnima Day today on behalf of the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala, India and also on behalf of the entire Tibetan Buddhist Community all over the world. The Vesak or Buddha Purnima Day is observed as the most sacred day for Buddhists around the world to commemorate three principal life events of the BuddhaShakyamuni: his miraculous birth, his perfect enlightenment and his great demise or Mahaparinirvana.
Because of the fact of different Buddhist nations or traditions following slightly different lunar calendars, the Vesak Day often falls in different months in different nations or traditions. It has therefore become important for all Buddhist traditions to observe the common Vesak Day as well as their traditional Vesak days. It would be suitable and good to observe the common Vesak Day according to the Indian and Theravadan calendar, and the traditional Vesak days according to their own traditional calendars. To make it more meaningful and diverse, it may be considered to observe the Common Vesak Day in a global and social format and to observe the traditional Vesak days in spiritual and cultural formats.
I would like to congratulate and earnestly thank the International Buddhist Confederation’s Head Office in New Delhi for having organized this virtual event in spite of a difficult situation of pandemic. In the hour of such global disasters, it becomes important for all Buddhists to remain closely connected and to be actively engaged in thoughts and acts of community well-being and service.
The best way to commemorate the life and deeds of the Buddha is to contemplate on and to engage in practice of his fundamental teachings of the Four Noble Truths, Dependent Arising, Tolerance, Compassion, Loving Kindness, Generosity and Altruism in our daily lives. May the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha bless you all. Thank you all very much.
Respected members of the Sangha; dear brothers and sisters of Mongolia:
I am honored and pleased to extend my sincere greetings to all of you on the most auspicious occasion of the Vesak Full Moon Day today on behalf of the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala, India and also on behalf of the entire Tibetan Buddhist Community all over the world. The Vesak Full Moon Day is observed as the most sacred day for Buddhists around the world to commemorate three principal life events of the Buddha Shakyamuni: his miraculous birth, his perfect enlightenment and his great demise or Mahaparinirvana.
Because of the fact of different Buddhist nations or traditions following slightly different lunar calendars, the Vesak Day often falls in different months in different nations or traditions. It has therefore become important for all Buddhist traditions to observe the common Vesak Day as well as their traditional Vesak days. It would be suitable and good to observe the common Vesak Day according to the Indian and Theravadan calendar, and the traditional Vesak days according to their own traditional calendars. To make it more meaningful and diverse, it may be considered to observe the Common Vesak Day in a global and social way and to observe the traditional Vesak days in spiritual and cultural ways.
The best way to commemorate the life and deeds of the Buddha is to contemplate on and to engage in practice of his fundamental teachings of the Four Noble Truths, Dependent Arising, Tolerance, Compassion, Loving Kindness, Generosity and Altruism in our daily lives.
The people of Mongolia inherit a grand history of imperial power and Buddhist culture. Despite communist revolution and serious degradation of its Buddhist culture during the last century, the people of Mongolia are fortunate to have survived as an independent nation today. As it stands clear to all, a real lasting happiness can only come from a balanced national policy and program of material development and spiritual peace. May the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha bless you all. Thank you all very much.
– Filed by Department of Religion and Culture