Ban Ki-Moon’s message to the UNESCO Symposium on The Buddha’s Teachings

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon’s message to the UNESCO Symposium on The Buddha’s Teachings:  

“Let us remember above all, the Buddha’s message of Tolerance.”

 Buddhism’s emphasis on mindfulness reminds me of the UNESCO Constitution, which opens with the famous words: “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” In that spirit, the United Nations is building strong defenses of peace through mediation,dialogue and diplomacy. We are striving to remove the conditions that cause unrest, from hunger and poverty to inequality and in justice. And we are unwavering in our commitment to protect our planet’s environment.As we celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha, let us remember, above all, his message of tolerance. Let us respect all religions. And let us work for the well being of people.”

(May 21, Paris, Sri Lanka Guardian) Acknowledging the importance of holding a scholarly Symposium on “The Contribution of The Buddha’s Teachings to Universality, Humanism and Peace”, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations’ Secretary-General noted that the Buddha’s “observations of 2,600 years ago still apply today” and that “His timeless teachings can help us as we seek to overcome the many problems facing the world today.”

                                                                                                                                                                        
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE TO SPECIAL UNESCO EVENT MARKING THE 2,600th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE BUDDHA “THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS TO UNIVERSALITY, HUMANISM AND PEACE” - Paris, 20 May 2011

“I am pleased to send greetings to this gathering of scholars, diplomats and other eminent persons commemorating the 2,600th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Buddha.

It is fitting that this meeting is being hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. For decades, UNESCO has been supporting thoughtful scholarship about Buddhism and the world’s other major religions. UNESCO has inscribed a number of important Buddhist sites on its World Heritage List. And UNESCO has actively worked to conserve these sites, including the birthplace of the Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal.

Three years ago, I went to Lumbini to pay my respects. Walking through the sacred grounds, I contemplated the extraordinary life of young Siddhartha. His timeless teachings can help us as we seek to overcome the many problems facing the world today.

The Buddhist values of compassion and peace are relevant to our efforts to overcome intolerance, poverty and war.

His observations of 2,600 years ago still apply today: that all people are interlinked, that life and the environment are one, and that we must show profound respect of all living beings.

Buddhism’s emphasis on mindfulness reminds me of the UNESCO Constitution, which opens with the famous words: “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” In that spirit, the United Nations is building strong defenses of peace through mediation,dialogue and diplomacy. We are striving to remove the conditions that cause unrest, from hunger and poverty to inequality and in justice. And we are unwavering in our commitment to protect our planet’s environment.

As we celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha, let us remember, above all, his message of tolerance. Let us respect all religions. And let us work for the well being of people.”

This message was addressed by the Secretary-General today Friday, the 20th May 2011 on the occasion of the symposium on « The Contribution of The Buddha’s Teachings to Universality, Humanism and Peace », an event initiated and coordinated by the Sri Lankan Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, along with fellow-members of the Asia-Pacific Group of Permanent Delegations to UNESCO ( ASPAC).
 Media Release