Photo:Arjun Jaisawal/Pixabay

“Vesak,” the Day of the Full Moon in May, is the most sacred day for millions of Buddhists around the world, marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. In his message for this year’s Vesak (1 May), UN Secretary-General António Guterres recalled his 2023 visit to the Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini and emphasized that the antidote to today’s turmoil lies in the Buddha’s enduring teachings of non-violence, compassion and service to others. He called on all people to come together in a spirit of shared humanity to build the peaceful and sustainable world we all need and deserve.

Lumbini, where Lord Buddha was born, is a sacred pilgrimage destination with rich archaeological heritage.