Vatican "Celebrating Buddha's Birthday... Wishing Joy, Peace, and Hope"

On the 18th, one day before Buddha's Birthday, officials are preparing for the event at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue expressed on the 19th, Buddha’s Birthday, "On this day when we celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of Sakyamuni every year, we pray that joy, peace, and hope may dwell in the hearts of Buddhists around the world."

In a congratulatory message issued in the name of the Council’s President, Cardinal Miguel ?ngel Ayuso Guixot, the Council stated, "We hope that the tragic situation of the global COVID-19 pandemic will firmly bind the ties of our friendship and further become an opportunity for us to unite in serving the human family."

It also emphasized, "The suffering caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic has made us realize that we are all vulnerable and interdependent," and "We are called to discover and practice solidarity preserved within each of our religious traditions."

The Council explained, "The Buddha’s teaching on 'Brahma Vihara (Samu-ryang-sim, 四無量心)' conveys to us an unchanging message of solidarity and compassionate care in practice," adding, "It speaks of 'Ja (慈)' and encourages Buddhists to extend boundless love to all."

Samu-ryang-sim refers to the four noble minds held toward sentient beings: Ja (慈, loving-kindness), Bi (悲, compassion), Hee (喜, sympathetic joy), and Sa (捨, equanimity).

The Council concluded, "This year, we wish to share these thoughts with you," and "Let us look to the future with hearts of hope and peace. We once again extend our congratulations on the joyous occasion of Buddha’s Birthday."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.