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Vesak
marked at FAO - a first
The United Nations General Assembly had adopted a Resolution in 2000 recognizing Vesak Day as being most sacred to Buddhists the world over and calling on the UN Offices to make appropriate arrangements for the international observance of the sacred day, The proceedings at the FAO Office commenced with Ven. Molligoda Dheerananda Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Rome Buddhist Vihara, invoking the blessings of the Triple Gem. Thereafter, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the FAO, Rodney M. Perera and Thailand's Ambassador Varapoj Snidvongs addressed the gathering. Ambassador Perera thanked the Director-General of the FAO Dr. Jacques Diouf for consenting to hold this important commemoration at the FAO Head Office. He also quoted from verse 203 of the Dhammapada which referred to ''hunger….. the dreaded disease'' in pointing out the relevance of the teachings of the Lord Buddha in carrying out the mandate of the FAO even today, which involves ensuring food supply and security with sustainable agriculture. Ven. Chandapalo Thera of the Santacittarama Buddhist Monastery in Rieti delivered the Dhamma talk in which he briefly explained the evolution of Buddhism, to the gathering which included Heads of Mission and diplomatic officers of South East Asian countries and staff members of the FAO and the UN system in Rome. |
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