Virtual belated commemoration of the International Day of Vesak 2020,
co-hosted by the Permanent Missions of Thailand and Sri Lanka to the UN, New York
with presence of the UN Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly

   


  










Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Vitavas Srivihok,
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations
International Day of Vesak 2020 (Virtual Event), Thursday 2 July 2020, 9.00-10.30 hrs.

Venerable Monks,
President of the General Assembly, Secretary-General of  the United Nations,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please let me warmly welcome all of you, to the belated celebration of the International Day of Vesak 2020, the day of the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha. 

It is my great honour and pleasure to co-host this auspicious occasion with Ambassador Kshenuka (เชนุกา) and the Sri Lankan mission. This year, due to the on-going COVID pandemic, we were unfortunately unable to hold our event as per usual at the General Assembly Hall in May for the safety all our participants, in line with relevant medical guidance.

Therefore, I wish to express our high reverence and gratitude to the venerable monks from different Buddhist communities and our appreciation to our Buddhist and non-Buddhist friends who have gathered here with us today on this virtual platform to commemorate and reflect the teachings of Lord Buddha during this unprecedented time.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The current world situation has given time for us to reflect back on ourselves. The virus does not discriminate. It can infect anybody. We need global solidarity and harmony to overcome this borderless challenge. But on the contrary, every day we see news from all over the world displaying discrimination, hate, and violence. More so than ever, we must foster compassion, love, tolerance, and respect, which Buddhists call Metta (เมตตา) and Karuna (กรุณา), among our brothers and sisters of all faith, cultures, and race; to uphold the inherent rights and dignity of all human beings, and to leave no one behind.

I also believe that Buddhist teachings on awareness, resilience, and inner peace of the mind, or Sati (สติ), are the weapons we can use against any external shocks and challenges, including this pandemic. Buddhism teaches us that there are ups and downs in life and we cannot control the world. On the contrary, we have to find a sustainable solution from within: to look at happenings with mindfulness, not clouded with fear, anxiety, and anger, and to use it as a learning experience to recover better and be prepared for other tests we may face in the future.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Here at the UN, we must live up to our responsibilities to promote greater harmony, peace, and sustainable development in the world. The UN has to walk the talk, and must walk together towards the common goals and commitments of the betterment of humanity, based on principles such as compassion and love for all people.

I hope that today’s event can serve as a reminder for us all, including our partners and friends outside of the UN, that it depends upon all of us, and we must not stop working towards our common goal with a determined and calm mind.

Link to the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDlSFcH9XnE&feature=youtu.be