In May 2025, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju of India addressed the United Nations Vesak Day Celebrations in Vietnam. Representing President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he conveyed their greetings to those celebrating the sacred occasion. His focus was on Lord Buddha's teachings and India's historical commitment to values like sustainability, peace, and human dignity. The event included several heads of state and spiritual leaders along with distinguished Buddhist figures. Themes centered on unity and respect for human dignity through Buddhist wisdom for global peace and sustainable development. Sacred relics of Lord Buddha were exhibited under the support of various Indian organizations and were displayed across Vietnam until May 21, accompanied by President Luong Cuong's visit in paying respects.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture India: A governmental ministry of India.
Buddhas Teachings: The teachings of the Buddha, central to Buddhism.
UN Vesak Day2025: United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in 2025, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
Vietnam: Country hosting the UN Vesak Day 2025 celebrations.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Minority Affairs, representing India at the UN Vesak Day 2025 celebrations.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - likely the source of the press release.
United Nations Vesak Day2025 Celebrations: The specific event being reported.
Vietnam Buddhist Academy: Location of the UN Vesak Day2025 Celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City: City in Vietnam hosting the Vesak Day celebrations.
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu: President of India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India.
Lord Buddhas: Refers to Gautama Buddha.
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: The official name of Vietnam.
H.E. Luong Cuong: President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Sri Lanka: Island country in the Indian Ocean.
H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka: President of Sri Lanka.
Vietnam Buddhist Sangha: Buddhist monastic order in Vietnam.
Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang: Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
International Organizing Committee for UNDV: The organizing committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak.
Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Pra Brahmapundit: Chairman of the International Organizing Committee for UNDV.
Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity; Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development: Theme of the 2025 celebrations.
Sacred Holy Relics of Lord Buddha: Relics associated with the Buddha.
Government of India: The government of India.
Mahabodhi Society of India: An Indian Buddhist society.
National Museum of India: A museum in India.
International Buddhist Confederation IBC: An international Buddhist organization.
Thanh Tam Pagoda: Location in Ho Chi Minh City where relics are displayed.
Tay Ninh: A location where the relics will be displayed.
Hanoi: Capital of Vietnam, a location where the relics will be displayed.
Ha Nam: A province in Vietnam, a location where the relics will be displayed.
May 21, 2025: Date until which the relics will be on display.
Nguyen Van Nen: Vietnams Politburo Member Party Secretary, Ho Chi Minh City
Sunil Kumar Tiwari: Individual associated with the press release (pibcultureatgmaildotcom).
Release ID: 2127263: Identification number for the press release.
Ministry of Culture
India Reaffirms Commitment to Buddha’s Teachings
at UN Vesak Day-2025 in Vietnam
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Conveys President and
PM’s Greetings at UN Vesak Celebrations
Posted On: 06 MAY 2025 4:47PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, today addressed a
distinguished global gathering at the United Nations Vesak Day-2025 Celebrations held at the Vietnam
Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City. On behalf of President Smt. Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Rijiju extended warm greetings to the international audience celebrating this sacred
occasion.
In his address, Shri Rijiju emphasized the enduring relevance of Lord Buddha’s teachings in today’s world
and highlighted India’s ancient and continuing commitment to sustainability, peace, and human dignity. He
underscored how the message of the Buddha serves as a guiding light in the face of contemporary global
challenges.The grand ceremony was graced by the presence of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E.
Luong Cuong, and the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, among several heads of state
and spiritual leaders. Eminent Buddhist figures including the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist
Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, and the Chairman of the International Organizing Committee for
UNDV, Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Pra Brahmapundit, were also present.
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.
Sacred Holy Relics of Lord Buddha are being exhibited with the support of the Ministry of Culture,Government of India, the Mahabodhi Society of India, the National Museum of India, and the International
Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The relics are currently on display at Thanh Tam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City
and will travel to Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and Ha Nam until May 21, 2025.
And accompanied H.E. Luong Cuong, President of Vietnam in paying respect to the Sacred Relics
of Lord Buddha, along with H.E. Nguyen Van Nen, Vietnam’s Politburo Member & Party Secretary,
Ho Chi Minh City, Venerable Members of Buddhist Sanghas and senior officials.
https://t.co/vFPLlqw8ZA pic.twitter.com/CnuPWjIXg5
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 6, 2025
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2127263)