Third International Day of Vesak celebrated at Gandhi Centre in The Hague

The International Day of Vesak was observed at an impressive, yet simple ceremony at the Gandhi Centre, which was filled to capacity in The Hague on Friday, 7 June, organised by the Sri Lanka Embassy in The Hague for the third consecutive year. 

The program commenced with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Guest of Honour Dalweer Bhandari, Judge of the International Court of Justice, who was joined by Ambassador Venu Rajamony of India and Ambassador A.M.J. Sadiq of Sri Lanka, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Aldo Cavalli, Sander Janssen representing the Dutch Foreign Ministry, Rabin Baldewsingh, former Deputy Mayor of The Hague, and Amal Fernando, representing the Sri Lankan Buddhist community in The Netherlands.

In his opening remarks on behalf of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Judge Bhandari who presided over the event, spoke on the significance and the contribution of Buddhist philosophy to international law and consequently its important role in building peace and security. He also alluded to the UN General Assembly Resolution on the ‘International recognition of the Day of Vesak at United Nations Headquarters and other United Nations offices” adopted in December 1999, which gave rise to the observance of the Vesak Day at the UN.  

However, it was only in 2017, that the International Day of Vesak was observed in The Hague, the seat of the ICJ, the only principal organ of the UN, located outside New York. Judge Bhandari’s address was followed by the screening of a short documentary movie, titled ‘The Story of the Buddha’. 

The highlight of the evening’s proceedings was the guest lecture delivered by the Ambassador of India to The Netherlands, Shri Venu Rajamony. In his thought-provoking address, Ambassador Rajamony recalled that Vesak is a sacred day for the peoples of India and Sri Lanka and Buddhists all over the world who had received the invaluable gift of the teachings of the Buddha. He also underscored the strong historical and civilisational links between India and Sri Lanka through the advent of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. He pointed out that the great Indian Emperor Ashoka sent his own son Arahat Mahinda and daughter, Princess Sanghamitta to carry the message of the Buddha to Sri Lanka.

Referring to the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, which was brought by Princess Sanghamitta as a sapling from the sacred Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, Ambassador Rajamony said that this tree is preserved and venerated in Sri Lanka, and serves as a symbol of the deep-rooted relations between India and Sri Lanka. The bonds forged since then have only grown stronger over the years with the shared commitment of both the nations in spreading peace across the globe.  

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka, A.M.J. Sadiq who delivered the Vote of Thanks stated that it was in the fitness of things that the International Day of Vesak observance in The Netherlands coincided with the 150th birth anniversary of the great exponent and apostle of Ahimsa (non-violence), Mahatma Gandhi. It was also doubly significant that the event was being held at the Gandhi Centre which had been made available by the good offices of the Indian Ambassador. 

Ambassador Sadiq paid his respectful appreciation to Ven. Kurunegala Anandagosha Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery in The Netherlands for his presence and the donation of a book on Buddhism to all the invited guests. He also read a short excerpt of the Message to Buddhist Friends, on the occasion of Vesak-2019 issued by the Pontifical Council for interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See on the theme, ‘Promoting the Dignity and Equal Rights of Women and Girls’ that the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Aldo Cavalli had sent.

Ambassador Sadiq conveyed his sincere thanks to Robert Barkel, CEO of Janson Bridging, a Dutch company, which is engaged in constructing bridges in Sri Lanka for the sponsorship extended to hosting the International Day of Vesak since its inception at the Peace Palace in The Hague in 2017. The event was attended by around 100 invited participants, including many ambassadors, heads and representatives of international organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, academics and members of the civil society, and concluded with a reception.