Hanoi (VNA) – The 16th United Nations (UN) Day ofVesak, which concluded at the Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in Kim Bangdistrict, the northern province of Ha Nam, was an important religious eventthat drew great attention from international media.

An article on Hong Kong’s Buddhistdoor Global website on May14 said this year, the Vesak celebration was organised under the theme“Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities forSustainable Societies.”

The event featured five forums discussing mindful leadershipfor sustainable peace; Buddhist approaches to harmonious families, healthcare,and sustainable societies; Buddhist approaches to global educations in ethics;the fourth industrial revolution and Buddhism; and Buddhist approaches toresponsible consumption and sustainable development.

Some 398 international and Vietnamese scholars and Buddhistsshared ideas by contributing papers dealing with Buddhist values, it said.

It said that heads of state, ambassadors, and representativesof international organisations made well wishes and special messages on theoccasion. In a recorded video clip, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterresexpressed great pleasure in addressing the event, and acknowledged the teachingof the Buddha as an inspiration for a peaceful world.

The article quoted Guterres as saying that “In a time ofgrowing intolerance and inequality, the Buddha’s message of nonviolence andservice to others is more relevant than ever. On the Day of Vesak, let us renewour commitment to building a world of peace and dignity for all.”

The same day, the Thailand-based Asia News Network website posteda story on the UN Vesak Day 2019, highlighting opinions of representatives of differentcountries on the way that Buddhism has adaptedto Industry 4.0 and utilised digitalisation to preserve Buddhist values andpromote the religion.

Simerjit Kaur from theDepartment of Buddhist Studies, Kalindi College, the University of Delhi, India,highlighted the drastic changes Industry 4.0 has brought in all aspects oflife.

He noted the scope and scaleof benefits that people have gained from the Fourth Industrial Revolution whilepointing out social challenges, such as growth of cities, slums, frustration,fear of security and emotional discrimination.

William Beaumont Edwards fromVipassana Buddhist Church, the Centre for Buddhist Development, the US, also acknowledgedthe massive shift in human civilisation in Industry 4.0.

He held that Buddhism, unlikemany of the world religious traditions, has had the ability to obligingly adaptand easily survive any change in those dynamics with which it is presented.

This is the third time thatVietnam has hosted a Vesak celebration after two previous events in 2008 and2014.-VNA