2586 Buddha Jayanti Celebration - 23 May 2024, Lumbini

Namaste, Namo Mitaa-vaya ( greetings in buddhism), and a very good morning to all of you! 

It is my profound blessing to be in Lumbini to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and pari-nirvana of Gautam Buddha.  And what an absolute honour once more to step on these sacred grounds, the soil where the Prince of Peace had walked on nearly 2600 years ago! 

Revered guests, it’s been 23 years  that the United Nations gave recognition to the Day of Vesak, or Baisakh as it is known in Nepal.  We must be grateful for Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar the then foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, who in November 1998 made the proposal to the UN to provide international recognition to the “Day of the Full Moon in the month of May” that is most sacred for a fifth of the world’s population. 

Last year, when the UN Secretary General visited Lumbini he said, ”This is a place to reflect on the teachings of Lord Buddha. And to consider what his message of peace, interdependence, and compassion, means in today’s troubled world.”

It is indeed a troubled world.  Where we seem to be at loggerheads with nature, as well with ourselves.. across borders, across faiths, across ideologies.
 

And it is when we come to a place like Lumbini, where its special aura permeates the atmosphere around us and seeps into our souls, that we instinctively try to seek deep within ourselves the reason of our existence. 

And when we really dig deep, not carrying the baggage of yesterday or tomorrow, we discover that all we long for is happiness and peace.. peace of mind, and peace around us.. yes, just shanti, shanti shanti! (peace) 

“With our thoughts we make the world, “said Lord Buddha to his disciples.

It is thoughts that lead to actions.  And the actions of the United Nations, in its mission to promote peace, security, and human rights, embodies the essence Buddha’s teachings... be it the Five Precepts, or the Eightfold Path… in various aspects of its work. 

Like he preached, we in the UN work diligently to ensure that we have the Right View, the right perspective on issues and problems that need to be tackled to ensure safe an equitable life for all.  

We strive to have the Right Intention in every task we undertake, every vison we propose which we then voice with Right Speech that respect everyone, and are geared to foster compassion and harmony.  

Right Action guides our overall work to promote peace and development, especially in these turbid times. And with Right Effort guided by the principles of the UN Charters, we strive to promote Right Livelihood and ensure that no one is left behind. 

Being a global organization, Right Mindfulness  and Right Concentration  are important features of the institution. It prods us to keep adapting to changing situations, be it global politics, climatic changes, planning for the unexpected. But all the time, being mindful of the here and now! 

So, Distinguished guests, 

Gathered here today in these sacred gardens, let us be at peace with ourselves and with the world. May the full moon of Buddha Purnima take away the darkness of ignorance, bigotry and hatred and herald an era of contentment and peace on earth. 

Shanti Shanti Shanti !