The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Vesak, also known as Buddha Purnima, is observed annually worldwide on the Full Moon day in May to promote Lord Buddha’s teachings and foster global cultural harmony.
- The day commemorating the birth (623 B.C.), enlightenment, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.
- In 2025, the day marked the 2,587th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha.
Note: International Day of Vesak is observed each year at UN Headquarters and various UN offices worldwide, in coordination with relevant UN bodies and permanent missions.
Key Dates:
In 2025, International Day of Vesak was observed on May 12, 2025
- In 2024, International Day of Vesak was observed on May 23, 2024
- In 2026, International Day of Vesak will be observed on May 1, 2026
Historical Significance of Vesak:
i.Birth of Buddha: Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Buddha, was born in 623 Before Christ(B.C.) in Lumbini, present-day Nepal.
ii.Enlightenment: At the age of 35, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India.
iii.Parinirvana: Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India.
Background:
i.On 15 December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/54/115, officially recognizing the International Day of Vesak, observed annually on the Full Moon day in May.
- The resolution was co-sponsored by 34 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
ii.The first International Day of Vesak was observed in 2000.
About Gautama Buddha:
i.Siddhartha Gautama, known as Lord Buddha, was born in the Lumbini Gardens, located in present-day Rupandehi District, Nepal.
ii.He renounced worldly life at the age of 29, attained enlightenment at 35, and passed away at the age of 80, after spreading his teachings for 45 years.
iii.Bodh Gaya, the sacred site where he attained supreme enlightenment.
iv.His first sermon was delivered at the Deer Park in Sarnath, near Varanasi, UP.
v.Buddha’s teachings focus on compassion, peace, and universal goodwill.
2025 Events:
The International Day of Vesak 2025 celebration was hosted by Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
- The celebrations marked the 20th UN Day of Vesak, hosted by Vietnam for the fourth time.
- The 2025 celebrations themed “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity; Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” convey a powerful message amid global uncertainties.
Key People: Over 2,700 delegates, including more than 1,350 international participants from 85 countries, attended the event held from May 6–8, 2025 at Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- The event was attended by dignitaries including H.E. Luong Cuong, President of Vietnam; H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, President of Sri Lanka; and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (MoPA) & Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), the Government of India(GoI).
India’s Contribution: Exhibition of Sacred Relics:
As part of the 2025 International Day of Vesak celebrations, India, for the first time, showcased the sacred Buddha relics from Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh (UP) in Vietnam, aiming to strengthen people-to-people ties and honour the spiritual legacy of Lord Buddha.
- The relics were exhibited in Ho Chi Minh City from May 2–7, 2025, and then traveled to Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and Ha Nam, remaining in Vietnam until May 21, 2025.
- The exhibition was organized by the Ministry of Culture (MoC), Government of India (GoI); the National Museum of India; and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
MoU signed by IBC and VBS:
During the event, the Secretary General (SG) of IBC, Ven. Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, and the President of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), Most Ven. Dr. Thich Thien Nhon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation and advance shared ideals of compassion, wisdom, and peace as enshrined in the teachings of the Buddha.
Other highlights of the celebrations:
i.Vietnamese artist Vu Khac Diep (Master Thien Hai) showcased a unique artwork of Lord Buddha created using melted gold powder at the inauguration ceremony.
ii.India’s ancient heritage was presented, highlighting India’s 2,000-year-old cultural traditions.
About International Buddhist Confederation (IBC):
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), established in 2012 under the patronage of the supreme Buddhist religious hierarchy, is a global Buddhist umbrella organization that provides a common platform for Buddhists worldwide.
- It was founded by the late Venerable Lama Lobzang and currently includes over 320 member organizations, both monastic and lay, spanning 39 countries.
- In 2025, the late Venerable Lama Lobzang was posthumously honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in the category of ‘Others (Spiritualism)’ for his significant contributions to Buddhism and global spiritual unity.
Secretary General (SG) – Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
