Home / The First UNDV Declaration - Thailand 2004

The First UNDV Declaration - Thailand 2004

The UN Day of Vesak Celebration, International Buddhist Conference (IBC) was supported by Thailand Royal Government and Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University held the celebration at Buddhamonthon Buddhist centre, with participation of over 35 countries and hundreds of International Buddhist delegations. In June of 2004, the Vesak celebration activities were held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA. In July of the same year, the IBC on theme “Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism” was held at the Buddhamonthon Conference Hall, under support of Government of Thailand and approval of the Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand. At this historical conference, the attended countries approved Thailand which will be hosted the UN Day of Vesak Celebration in year 2005.

​

​Declaration

​

We, the participants of World Buddhist Leaders Conference on International Recognition of the Day of Vesak, from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, having met at Buddhamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand on May 25, 2004 (2547),

Acknowledging that the Day of Vesak, the Date of the Full Moon in the month of May each year, the internationally recognized and, in particular, at United Nations Headquarters and other United Nations offices, in accordance with the Government and the Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand’s initiative to celebrate the Day of Vesak in 2004 (2547) both in New York and Bangkok,

Recognizing that the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May each year is the day most sacred to Buddhists around the world, who commemorate, on that day, the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment and his passing away; moreover, they may, at the same time, observe his virtues in his great compassion, his wisdom, and his purity as an ideal way of living in harmony.

Considering that international recognition at United Nations Headquarters and other United Nations offices would constitute acknowledgement of the contribution that Buddhism, one the of oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and a half millennia, and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity; therefore, Buddhism should vitally be protected and promoted in order to maintain its course.

Resolves that, without cost to the United Nations, appropriate arrangement shall be made for international observances of Vesak at United Nations Headquarters and other United Nations offices, in consultation with the relevant United Nations offices and permanent missions that also wish to be consulted. In the year of 2004 (2547), Thailand has been appointed to coordinate with other Buddhist countries to celebrate the Day of Vesak both at the United Nations in New York and its regional office.

Therefore, we hereby agree to the followings:

  1. We will endeavor to maintain and protect Buddhism, objects of worship and holy places worldwide.

  2. We will endeavor to deliver the noble messages of the Buddha to the hearts and minds of the people of the world through Buddhist studies and practice to ensure propagation of Buddhism.

  3. We will endeavor to promote peace, harmony and understanding among the people of the world through Buddhism.

  4. We will endeavor to collaborate and to celebrate, on the international scale, the Day of Vesak at United Nations Headquarters, its regional offices and especially at the UNESCAP office in Bangkok, Thailand.