Buddhism can help enlighten world about pressing issues, UN chief says on Day of Vesak

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has given  credence to  how the teachings of Buddhism can help change the world positively in terms of the international community tackling  pressing challenges, including mass population movements, violent conflicts, atrocious human rights abuses and hateful rhetoric aimed at dividing communities.

Whereas"the fundamental equality of all people, the imperative to seek justice, and the interdependence of life and the environment are more than abstract concepts for scholars to debate; they are living guidelines for Buddhists and others navigating the path to a better future," he said in a message to observe the Day of Vesak.

"Vesak," the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born and that day  in 2016 falls on May 20.

It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away.

The UN General Assembly, in a resolution adopted in 1999, recognized the International Day to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and a half millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity.

Source:http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/worldNews/Buddhism-can-help-enlighten-world-about-pressing-issues-UN-chief-says-on-Day-of-Vesak-440703?channel=D1