เกี่ยวกับ UNDV

In December BE 2542, the General Assembly of the United Nations, at its fifty-fourth session (Agenda Item 174), recognized the Day of Vesak as an International Day of the United Nations (UN) and resolved that appropriate activities should be held annually in May at the UN Headquarters and other regional UN offices. The Sangha, government and people of Thailand have cooperated to organize activities to celebrate this important day every year, at the local, national and international levels.

In May BE 2547, Buddhist leaders from 13 countries were invited to participate in the World Buddhist Leaders' Conference on the International Recognition of the Day of Vesak at Buddhamonthon. An academic conference was also organized on about Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism at Buddhamonthon and the UN Convention Center with the endorsement of the Sangha Supreme Council and the support of the Thai government. The meeting concluded with the joint decision to collaborate to organize the Vesak Day celebrations in Thailand in subsequent years. Following that, in July BE 2547, Thailand and the Thai Sangha organized the Day of Vesak Activities at UN Headquarters in New York City, USA.

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) was entrusted by the Sangha Supreme Council during its 10/2548 meeting in April BE 2548 to be the primary organizer of the International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak for BE 2548 from 18-21 May 2548 at Buddhamonthon and the UN Convention Center under the sponsorship of the Royal Thai Government, along with associated activities for the Buddhism Promotion Week at Sanam Luang.

This meeting successfully achieved its goals, with Buddhists representing 42 countries taking part. The International Buddhist representatives jointly signed to recognize Buddhamonthon, Thailand as the world center of Buddhism and to organize the Vesak Day celebration in Thailand, with MCU as the primary organizer.

The Sangha Supreme Council during its 21/2548 meeting on 9 September BE 2548 again appointed MCU to be the primary organizer, in coordination with government agencies of the international Vesak Day celebrations for BE 2549, along with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej as the royal patron of Buddhism. The celebrations were held from 7-10 May BE 2549 at Buddhamonthon and the UN Convention Center. Representatives from 48 countries participated and jointly declared that Vesak Day should be celebrated in Thailand the following year, in conjunction with the auspicious occasion of the 80th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej.

MCU was appointed by the Supreme Sangha Council to cooperate with the International Organizing Committee for the International Day of Vesak and Buddhist organizations from the public sector and private sector to organize the international Buddhist conference in BE 2550 on the occasion of the UN Day of Vesak with the sponsorship of the Thai government. The event was held to jointly celebrate the 80th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej. The celebrations were held from 21-29 May BE 2550 at Buddhamonthon and the UN Convention Center. The celebrations included an international academic seminar on the theme “Buddhism, Governance and Development”. A total of 3,326 monks and laypersons took part from 67 countries.

In BE 2551, even though Vietnam was the host of the fifth International Day of Vesak Celebrations, the Thai government and the Supreme Sangha Council supported MCU to organize Vesak Day celebrations in Thailand from 18-19 May BE 2551 at the UN Convention Center.

During the 21/2551 meeting of the Supreme Sangha Council on 10 November 2551, the Supreme Sangha Council issued a decision 524/2551 for Thailand to host the Vesak Day Celebration in accordance with the proposal of the International Organizing Committee which met on 12 September BE 2551 at MCU. The IOC were in unanimous agreement for Thailand to be the primary host in organizing the International Vesak Day celebrations for BE 2552. At the same time, the IOC also decided to establish the International Council of UN Day of Vesak (ICUNDV) in order to organize the celebrations in a unified and efficient manner.

During the sixth United Nations Day of Vesak 70 countries were taking part the even and there was an agreement that the celebration of United Nations Day of Vesak 2010 will be held in Thailand which is a co-hosted event between Thailand and Japan. Thereupon, the meeting of Executive Committee on 28-30 September 2009 was decided that the seventh United Nations Day of Vesak will be held on 23-25 May 2010. The Celebration will be held under theme of “Global Recovery: The Buddhist Perspective” with the participation of 83 countries totaling about 5000.