Domestic and international Buddhist dignitaries, followers and delegates focused their discussions on Buddhist contributions to social justice, war and conflict prevention, environmental protection and education.

Venerable Thich Tam Duc from the Vietnam Buddhist Institute said Vietnamese Buddhists would work to strengthen solidarity with all nations in the world and promote cooperation and peaceful coexistence.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Executive Council’s Most Venerable Thich Giac Toan said the Buddha’s fundamental teachings of love, compassion and wisdom should be upheld and disseminated to build a peaceful and happy life for humans as the world faces serious disasters, war, violence, hatred, poverty, racial and religious discrimination.

Regarding Buddhist contributions to social justice, Associate Professor Jinabbodhi Bhikkhu from Bangladesh’s Chittagong University said the Buddha’s social justice theory corresponds to demands of the contemporary world, helping Buddhists practise and work toward achieving enlightenment for themselves.

With digital technologies becoming part of daily modern life in many countries across the world, the topic “Buddhism in the Digital Age” also attracted strong attention from delegates.

Venerable Thich Chan Quang said a Buddhist who ignores the digital world is losing an effective means of learning and disseminating the Buddha’s theory.

Regarding Buddhist practice and development, VBS Dharma Dissemination Council Vice Chairman Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem said the VBS has been expanding its international exchange with Buddhist and other religious organisations in many countries.

The move has helped other countries understand Vietnam’s foreign policies and laws on religion, rejecting false and distorting information raised by hostile forces, he added.

Other reports at the symposium also dealt with Buddhist responses to family problems and environmental pollution.

Meanwhile, a senior Thai monk has praised the Vietnamese Government and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for hosting a successful UN Day of Vesak.

Most Venerable Phra Oharmakoshjarn from the Mahachnlalongkorn University of Thailand made the statement while attending a banquet organised in Hanoi on May 15 by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to honour international delegations to the event.

The Thai monk spoke on behalf of delegates that the UN Day of Vesak is a driving force behind Buddhists’ efforts for a peaceful world.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice Permanent President of the VBS Executive Council, said the event is the most important milestone in the Vietnam’s Buddhism history.