CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
For UN Vesak Day 2019
The Vesak celebration is an opportunity to pay our gratitude to the Buddha for the Dharma and its effectiveness even today. As followers of the Buddha, we have to reflect and appreciate the contributions that have been made by the Buddha. On behalf of the Los Angeles Buddhist Union, I thank the International Council for the Day of Vesak for selecting the theme ‘Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies’ for this year.
This will be an important day for government officials and the Buddhist community in Vietnam to show their unity to promote the teachings of the Buddha. This will also be an important day for the world’s Buddhists to participate in this significant event to show their support and to share the wisdom to enrich each other’s understanding of the Buddha’s teaching and its relevance to social issues. The Buddha was born in a complex society that is not much different from the present world. The timeless teachings of the Buddha can be used by anyone regardless of cultural differences. It is our responsibility to promote the teachings of the Buddha wherever people are willing to listen.
I salute and honour the organizers and participants of this noble conference. I wish for the conference to be fruitful. May the message of the Buddha reach all beings.

Bhante Chao Chu
President,
Los Angeles Buddhist Union