International Day of Vesak

An international day of Vesak recognised by the United Nations became a reality only on 15 December 1999. Older English writings have used 'Wesak' for Vesak. Vesak falls on the full moon day of May.[1] The proposal to declare Vesak as an international public holiday was tabled at the United Nations General Assembly by Sri Lanka.[2] Vesak is the most important Buddhist holiday in the Buddhist calendar that celebrates three important events—the birth, full awakening, and the passing away—of the historical Buddha Siddhartha Gautama.

United Nations Day of Vesak is now internationally celebrated including in the UN offices and UNESCO.[3]

International celebrations since 2000 included the first Vesak celebration in the UN (New York) on 15 May 2000. 34 countries were represented.[4]


Asian Summit Dates:

  • 25 May 2004 - 1st Asian Summit - Buddhamonthon, Thailand[5]
  • 18-21 May 2005 - 2nd Asian Summit - Bangkok, Thailand[6]
  • 2006 - 3rd Asian Summit - Thailand
  • 2007 - 4th Asian Summit - Thailand
  • 2008 - 5th Asian Summit - Vietnam
  • 2009 - 6th Asian Summit - Thailand
  • 2010 - 7th Asian Summit - Thailand
  • 2011 - 8th Asian Summit - Thailand
  • 2012 - 9th Asian Summit - Thailand
  • 2013 - 10th Asian Summit - Thailand
  • 2014 - 11th Asian Summit - Vietnam[7]
  • 2015 - 12th Asian Summit - Thailand [8]
  • 2016 - 13th Asian Summit - Thailand [9]
  • 2017 - 14th Asian Summit - Sri Lanka [10][11]
  • 2018 - 15th Asian Summit - Thailand
  • 2019 - 16th Asian Summit - Vietnam

Thailand has hosted an international Vesak summit 11 times, Vietnam 3 times and Sri Lanka 1 time.

References
  1. Mahinda Deegalle. 2018. Vesak, Peace and Harmony: Thinking of Buddhist Heritage. Kandy: Research Centre for Buddhist Studies.
  2. Mahinda Deegalle. 2018. Vesak, Peace and Harmony: Thinking of Buddhist Heritage. Kandy: Research Centre for Buddhist Studies.
  3. Mahinda Deegalle. 2018. Vesak, Peace and Harmony: Thinking of Buddhist Heritage, ch. 1.
  4. Mahinda Deegalle. 2018. Vesak, Peace and Harmony: Thinking of Buddhist Heritage, ch. 1.
  5. Mahinda Deegalle. 2018. Vesak, Peace and Harmony: Thinking of Buddhist Heritage, ch. 1.
  6. Mahinda Deegalle. 2018. Vesak, Peace and Harmony: Thinking of Buddhist Heritage, ch. 1.
  7. Mahinda Deegalle. 2018. Vesak, Peace and Harmony: Thinking of Buddhist Heritage, ch. 1.
  8. http://www.undv.org/vesak2015/en/
  9. http://www.undv.org/vesak2016/
  10. "Current Affairs - Sri Lanka to host the 14th Edition of United Nations International Day of Vesak 2017".
  11. http://www.unvesak2017.org/
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