Permanent Mission of India
New York
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Commemoration of International Day of Vesak

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative
12 May 2026

Most Venerable Monks and Nuns, Excellencies, dear colleagues, Namo Buddhaya!

            I thank the Permanent Missions of Thailand and Sri Lanka and especially Amb. Jayantha and Amb. Chaivaivid for convening us to commemorate the International Vesak Day. I am deeply privileged to listen to the sermons of Most Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara.  In an environment of discord and distrust, the walk for peace led by your Venerance in February this year was a source of both inspiration and solace. The simplicity of your message and action resonated deeply with people. Friends, I must also acknowledge that I look forward each year to this event when the ECOSOC Chamber becomes the Chamber of Peace, Compassion and Loving Kindness with the presence of the many monks and nuns. 

2. It is such simple and yet profound values and actions that form the foundation of Lord Buddha’s teachings. His message assumes salience in a world increasingly beseiged by uncertainty, suspicion, division and conflict. In such a world, Lord Buddha’s teachings remind us that peace is within, and from there, extends outwards to families, communities, and indeed nations. The Four Noble Truths that are foundational to Buddhism, teach self awareness and the realization that we are inter-dependent in this world. The former helps us reflect and identify the root cause of issues – critical to resolve discord and the latter compels us to find solutions that are mutually beneficial – vital for a sustainable solution.

Friends,

3. India has been at the forefront in its efforts to protect and revive not only the teachings of the Buddha, but also the bond between the followers of Buddhism across the world. In the past two years, based on request from our partners, the Government of India has facilitated two significant expositions of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha in Southeast Asia. The first, held in Thailand from 22^nd of February to 19^th of March 2024, including the relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples, and witnessed wide public participation across four venues, with over 4 million devotees in attendance. The second exposition was undertaken in Vietnam from the 2^nd of May to 2^nd of June 2025, where relics from Nagarjunakonda in Andhra Pradesh, were displayed at nine locations, drawing an estimated 14 million devotees. Similarly, in November 2025, the most sacred Piprahwa relics or the sacred remains of Lord Buddha were sent on exposition to Bhutan. In January this year, India also organized the 2^nd Global Buddhist Summit on the theme “Collective Wisdom, United Voice and Mutual Coexistence”.  It witnessed the participation of Supreme Patriarchs, the heads of national Buddhist Sanghas, eminent monks, scholars and senior dignitaries from across the world.

Excellencies and dear freiends,

4. As we mark the International Vesak day, we are reminded that the teachings of Lord Buddha are not confined to history. They are deeply relevant today, offering an alternate perspective to address issues - through compassion, coexistence, and peace. I once again thank the Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and Thailand for bringing us together to reflect on values and message of Lord Buddha.

Thank you.

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