Vesak Celebration at the UN

Venerable Bhante Y. Wimala led the Vesak program at the UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The UN Director General Ms. Sahle-work Zewde, some of the UN staff, the ambassadors and high commissioners attended the sacred event. The Thai Embassy and the Sri Lankan High Commission, with the guidance of Ven. Wimala, organized the celebration.

The Vesak program started at 10am after the lighting of the ceremonial oil lamp by the dignitaries and special guests. Bhante Wimala led the participants through a 10-minute meditation and gave a Dhamma talk on “the Buddha’s message of spiritual awakening”. The Director General of the UN Ms. Sahle-work Zewde delivered the message from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. The representative of the Vatican read the message from the Vatican. Sri Lankan High Commissioner Hon. T. Raveenthiran, Deputy High Commissioner Sampath Mantrinayake and several guests spoke at the event.