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| Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council, Venerable Thich Duc Thien, who is also Secretary General of the International Committee for Day of Vesak, reads the Ha Nam Declaration - Photo: VNA |
Following is the full text of the 2019 Ha Nam Declaration.
Whereas, we, the participants, from 112 countries andterritories, have come together for the International Buddhist Conference onthe United Nations Day of Vesak at Tam Chuc Convention Centre held during May12-14, 2019;
Whereas, we, came together in this Assembly pursuant to thatresolution approved on December 15, 1999 at the General Assembly of the UnitedNations, Session No. 54, Agenda Item 174, Resolution 54/115. Therein, it wasdeclared that Vesak, which falls on the Full Moon Day in the month of May, willbe internationally recognised and observed at the United Nations Headquartersand its Regional Offices from the Year 2000 onwards. The United Nations Day ofVesak is jointly celebrated by all Buddhist traditions as a Thrice Sacred Day.It serves to foster mutual understanding and cooperation amongst all Buddhisttraditions, organisations and individuals through ongoing dialogue betweenBuddhist leaders and scholars addressing those issues of universal concern. Asa result of our deliberations we adopt and publish the following message ofpeace based on the Buddha's teaching of wisdom and compassion:
Whereas, coming together to discuss the issues related to the“Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities forSustainable Societies”, we have shared our viewpoints, experiences and researchon the latest trends and developments in the various fields and considereddeliberately their practical implications; and,
Whereas, we are most grateful and full of deep appreciationfor the most wonderful hospitality of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha andthe support of the Government of Socialist Republic of Vietnam in hosting thismost auspicious gathering, on the occasion of the completion of our three-daydeliberations featuring meetings, academic presentations, learned discussions,cultural events and Buddhist fellowship.
Now, therefore, at the conclusion of our successfulcelebrations and meetings we, the assembled delegates, unanimously resolve andadopt this Declaration.
Article 1: General Agreements
In order to better understand and fully implement the UNSustainable Development Goals, we resolve to:
1.1 Adopt an increasingly active role, both locally and globally,advocating for, working for, and supporting sustainable societies in thecurrent context of profound social, political, economic and cultural crises.
1.2 Invigorate the concept of “Engaged Buddhism” by activelyand positively seeking the participation of international institutions.
1.3 Validate the Buddhist approach as a complementaryparadigm for achieving peaceful ideals and understanding universal values.
1.4 Advocate Buddhist philosophy for exploring the changingcharacter and context and as spiritual guidance for global governance.
1.5 Recognise the Buddhist-based framework of internationalactions as a set of feasible, agreeable, arrangements for the overallwell-being, development and progress of all sentient beings.
1.6 Avow the greatness of Buddhism in contemporary times.
Article 2: Buddhist Response to Shared Responsibilities
In order to promote the notion of shared responsibilities, weresolve to:
2.1 Build a proactive and well-weaved foundation forinteractions by identifying the significant roles of Buddhist Communitiesaround the World.
2.2 Support each one’s expertise on the basis of Buddhistprinciples for the benefit of each other.
2.3 Extend the idea of compassion, considerate action andsupport to help the people beyond Buddhist communities without anydiscrimination on the basis race, creed, religion and gender.
2.4 Emphasise the important individual responsibility in theshared collective.
2.5 Collaborate with international agencies at differentlevels of responsibility for the attainment of Buddhism’s ultimate goal to endsufferings.
2.6 Propagate the Buddhist’s five ethical precepts andpromote the active participation of local communities to transform them intosustainable goals as a basis of shared responsibilities toward better livingconditions worldwide.
Article 3: Buddhist Approach to Sustainable Societies
In order to create sustainable societies, we resolve to:
3.1 Utilise the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path asthe foundational approach to sustainable societies.
3.2 Create interdependence among several communities byrecognising the teachings of Buddha for promoting maximum human potential in asustainable manner.
3.3 Revitalise the integration of three Buddhist pillars ofdevelopment, namely, environmental protection, economic prosperity, and socialjustice.
Article 4: Mindful Leadership for Sustainable Peace
In order to make peace in the light of mindful leadership, weresolve to:
4.1 Emphasise dialogue and non-violent approaches forpeace-building contrary to the old paradigm that the physically stronger alwayswins over the weaker
4.2 Encourage the notions of wisdom and compassion as thebasis for any conflict avoidance and resolution.
4.3 Acknowledge the fundamental importance of mindful leadershiprelating to instruction in individual and societal ethics in contributing topeace making. (Specifically, seeking the settlement of conflicts, respect forlife, ending of violence and practice of loving kindness, non-violence throughdialogue and cooperation.)
Article 5: Buddhist Approach to Harmonious Families,Healthcare and Sustainable Societies
In order to create sustainable societies, we resolve to:
5.1 Acknowledge the contemporary transformations in familystructures and social systems and promote Buddhist principles of harmoniouscommunication to achieve harmonious families, better healthcare service andsustainable societies.
5.2 Evaluate the effects of healthy living and facilitate theBuddhist healthy living programme by applying Buddhist meditation techniques.
5.3 Teach the Buddhist’s five ethical precepts as part of theschool curriculum, from K to 12 grade, to advocate for the concept of healthyliving and harmonious families.
5.4 Promote the spirit of the five ethical precepts in thejustice system as the basis for rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals.
Article 6: Buddhist Approach to Global Education in Ethics
In order to improve the global system of education, weresolve to:
6.1 Reaffirm that the ultimate goal of Buddhist education inethics is to liberate a person from its own ego and suffering.
6.2 Propagate the Buddhist concept of impermanence andnon-self in global education for betterment of the World to fight againstgreed, anger, and ignorance.
6.3 Combine the tenets of Buddhism with Psychology andPhilosophy in education as a way to examine the issues of Ethics and Ethicsitself.
6.4 Incorporate Buddhist ethical principles intonational systems of education at all levels.
6.5 Encourage the integration of wisdom and compassion incaring for the environment, cultivating synergetic effects among individuals,schools and communities.
Article 7: Buddhism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
With the help of digital platforms, we resolve to:
7.1 Urge Dharma teachers to take advantage of the fourthindustrial revolution to modernize Buddhist science of mind studies for humanhealing and transformation by using robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors,and vision.
7.2 Integrate Buddhist practices with technology likemindfulness-based computer and phone applications for meditation.
7.3 Advocate for continued research in the field ofartificial intelligence as a tool to allow humans more free time to performhigher-level and meaningful tasks but not to replace human interaction,innovation and critical decision-making.
7.4 Apply Buddhist philosophy in furthering the understandingof a world run by algorithms.
Article 8: Buddhist Approach to Responsible Consumption andSustainable Development
With renewed awareness of the fundamental importance ofBuddhist approach in enabling growth, we resolve to:
8.1 Propagate the life story of the Buddha as one who spentmost of his life in harmony with nature, with more of a need-based thangreed-based engagement for the betterment of the environment.
8.2 Utilise Buddhist attitude, emphasising dependentorigination for co-existence to ensure ecological stability and the harmonybetween human beings and the natural world.
8.3. Promote energy transition, replacing large emissions ofenergy that pollute or deplete natural resources with clean and safeenergies.
8.4 Collaborate with business leaders in developingalternative and sustainable food sources without relying on animal protein.
Article 9: Policy Implications and Conclusion
In conclusion and cognisant of the need for fundamentalshifts in policy among numerous and diverse stakeholders, we resolve to:
9.1 Request that these well considered findings beincorporated into the new programme of the UN Sustainable DevelopmentGoals.
9.2 Herald that it is time for the World community to beginan honest reflection about the Buddhist solution and its utilisation in today´srapidly changing world.
9.3 Proclaim that Buddhist ethics have cultural value tocontribute to the development of a more compassionate society and are capableof building sustainable, equitable and caring political systems, economies, andsocieties.
9.4 Advocate that the Buddhist community can become valuablepartnership for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
9.5 Request that World leaders collaborate with Buddhists todevelop systems that universally encourage the attainment of full socio-economyand compassionate potentials and thereby create a World in which we all want tolive.
9.6 Insist that state governments, civil societies,businesses, families and individuals, regardless of faith or tradition, adoptmoral and ethical virtues.
9.7 Declare that instrumental to the practice of Buddhismat all levels, individually and collectively, is Social Engagement wherein theinsights from meditation practice and teachings are brought to bear in physicaland meaningful ways to address situations of social, political, and economicinjustice.
9.8 Encourage the expansion of Buddhist NGOs which activelyand substantively engage in disaster relief, social welfare and the attainmentof the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: VNA
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