October 03, 2026 05:45 pm (IST)
Follow us:
UN marks Buddhist holy day, Ban urges work for common good
New York, May 14 (IBNS): The Buddhist teachings of peace, compassion and love should help guide governments and the international community, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, urging international cooperation for the betterment of all humankind.
In his message for Vesak Day, Ban highlighted Buddha’s message of “peace, compassion and love for all living beings,” especially those in need.
These teachings “can inspire our efforts to address many of the broader challenges confronting our world,” Ban said, in reference to peace and security, development and the protection of the environment.
“In each of these areas, we have to rise above narrow self-interest, and think and act as members of one global community,” he urged world leaders.
The Day marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of Buddha, and is celebrated by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.
By its resolution 54/115 of 1999, the General Assembly recognized internationally the Day of Vesak 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.
(Lumbini, a World Heritage site, is the birthplace of Buddha. Photo: UNESCO/Nipuna Shrestha)
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
UAE calls Flydubai cockpit attack a ‘terrorist act’; Omani pilot tried to take control
Sat, Oct 03 2026
flydubai cockpit attack: Deleted posts expose Omani co-pilot’s views on women, alleged extremist past
Sat, Oct 03 2026
flydubai cockpit horror: Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with crash axe, tried to seize control
Sat, Oct 03 2026
flydubai temporarily suspends all Israel flights after co-pilot’s alleged cockpit attack, crash attempt
Sat, Oct 03 2026
Grounded in Oman over ‘radical views’, then hired by flydubai: What we know about Omani pilot Hamam al-Hammami
Sat, Oct 03 2026
Flydubai co-pilot who stabbed Smit Machchhar identified, was banned from flying by Oman due to suspected extremism: Report
Sat, Oct 03 2026
UK-Iranian national arrested over RAF Fairford terror plot probe
Fri, Oct 02 2026