At a special event held on May 15, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters to mark the International Day of Vesak, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, emphasized the enduring relevance of the Buddha’s teachings. “The principle of moderation, or the middle path, remains more relevant today than ever before. The Buddha’s teachings, simple yet profound, encourage us to transcend our differences and embrace a universal bond of loving kindness,” he said.
Harish was addressing a panel discussion themed “Teachings of Gautama Buddha – a Path to Internal and Global Peace.” He noted that in a time of global uncertainty and unrest, the teachings of Buddha could serve as a valuable guide. “The teachings of Lord Buddha can be a guide in today’s times of uncertainty,” he stated.
Harish pointed out India’s historical and spiritual connection to Buddhism, calling it the birthplace of the religion. “Vesak is an occasion for us to celebrate the shared heritage of Buddhism, an occasion to reaffirm and strengthen the cultural and civilizational ties that bind nations of our region,” he said.
He also highlighted recent diplomatic efforts that underscore India’s reverence for Buddhism, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to prominent Buddhist sites in Thailand and Sri Lanka. During his trip, Modi visited Bangkok’s Wat Pho temple, where he paid homage to the Reclining Buddha and offered ‘Sanghadana’ to senior monks. Additionally, the Prime Minister visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, demonstrating the Indian government’s continued engagement with the Buddhist world.
The event began with a short film showcasing the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. This was followed by a series of speeches from distinguished guests, including Professor Abhay Kumar Singh, Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University in India, and Santosh Kumar Raut, a visiting professor from Harvard Divinity School. Diplomats and permanent representatives from several Buddhist-majority nations, including Vietnam, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Lao PDR, and the Russian Federation, also shared their insights.
Harish elaborated on how Buddha’s core messages of compassion, non-violence, and wisdom remain highly relevant in a world plagued by conflict and suffering. “Lord Buddha’s message of compassion, non-violence and his wisdom offer a path to inner and global peace in a world writ with crisis and suffering,” he said.
He stressed the importance of cultivating both inner and outer peace for a balanced life. These forms of peace, he explained, could be nurtured through mindfulness, wisdom, compassion, and joy. Buddhism encourages creating a positive physical and material environment that fosters pleasant and respectful relations with others. “Maintaining this peace continuum is necessary in today’s world,” he emphasized.
Harish also spoke about Vipassana, the meditative technique in Buddhism that trains individuals to respond mindfully and wisely to external stimuli. He said the practice remains relevant today and can be pursued throughout one’s life. “Developing the correct attitude, comprehension and reaction to outside stimuli through Vipassana is important in Buddhism and will be of use even today and can be pursued throughout life,” he stated.
Discussing how Buddhist thought could be integrated into the modern world, Harish called for equitable resource distribution, a universal legal framework, and constructive conflict resolution. “Buddhist principles could be extended to the modern world through fair distribution of resources, maintaining a universal code of conduct or legal system and through building consensus by constructively dealing with differences,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized that peace and compassion should be cultivated at all levels—personal, communal, national, and international. “Buddhism further speaks of cultivating peace and compassion through maintaining international peace, between groups, between nations at an international level or a regional level,” he added.
However, Harish also acknowledged the limitations of applying Buddhist principles in a world marked by state-level aggression. He said that although individual adherence to Buddhist values could be successful, it might fall short when nations act out of self-defense or are forced to prevent large-scale suffering. “Following Buddhist practice, although successful at individual level, can fail on an interstate level in today’s world of aggression and pursuit of violence. At such times, harm can be minimized by keeping in focus the greater good, the motive of national defense, protecting citizens and preventing suffering,” he observed.
Harish concluded his remarks with a powerful endorsement of Buddhism’s transformative potential. “This transformative power of Buddhism is not limited to individuals, but it can change societies. It can change nations and indeed the whole world,” he said.
Echoing Harish’s sentiments, Professor Abhay Kumar Singh emphasized the need to embrace Buddha’s teachings in today’s complex world. “Lord Buddha’s message of compassion, non-violence and his wisdom offer a path to inner and global peace, in a world beset with crisis and suffering,” Singh said. He urged the global community to draw from these ancient teachings to create a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Adding to the discussion, Santosh Kumar Raut offered a scholarly perspective on how Buddhist philosophy could equip humanity to face the complex challenges of the 21st century. He discussed the relevance of mindfulness, ethical living, and inner peace in countering today’s widespread anxiety, divisiveness, and environmental degradation.
Other speakers at the event further elaborated on how Buddhist teachings could offer solutions to many modern-day challenges. They agreed that the principles of moderation, ethical living, mindfulness, and compassion offer practical guidance for a more sustainable and harmonious future. These teachings, they noted, have the potential to address a wide range of global issues—from conflict and inequality to environmental crises.
As the event concluded, the recurring message from all the speakers was clear: the world needs to revisit the teachings of Gautama Buddha now more than ever. By applying these ancient yet timeless principles, both individuals and societies can navigate today’s turbulence and find a path to lasting peace.
The International Day of Vesak celebration at the United Nations served not only as a tribute to the Buddha’s life and legacy but also as a call to action for world leaders, scholars, and citizens to embrace his teachings. In doing so, the speakers hoped, humanity could move toward a more peaceful, compassionate, and united world.