In his statement on Vesak Day-2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said that the the timeless message of unity and service to others of the Buddha was more important than ever, since it was only together that we will stop the spread of the coronavirus and recover.
According to the UN, "Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. "It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away," states the UN website.
On Vesak Day, which in India, is observed as Buddha Purnima is deemed a 'Triple Blessed Day' since on this day Gautam Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and achieved nirvana.
This time, on May 26, Buddha Purnima is being observed officially as a Virtual Visak Day due to lockdown to halt the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic in its deadly second surge.
Last year, the Indian Ministry of Culture, Government and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) had jointly organized a Virtual Prayer Event to honour the victims and the frontline warriors of COVID-19.
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