Wuxi Declaration of the 21st United Nations Day of Vesak

(Wuxi, Jiangsu, China · 27 May 2026)

On the occasion of the 21st United Nations Day of Vesak,over 1,000 Buddhists and representatives from across the globe, representing 67 countries and regions, have gathered in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, the People’s Republic of China. We come together to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of the Buddha; to reaffirm his teachings of compassion, peace, inclusiveness, and altruism; and to consolidate humanity’s shared pursuit of peace, justice, sustainable development, and harmony among all beings. Before the Buddha, we offer lamps and chant sutras, praying for world peace and the well-being of all sentient beings. This event is hosted by the International Council for the Day of Vesak, organized by the Buddhist Association of China and the Buddhist Association of Jiangsu Province, with the support and guidance of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Regional conflicts, development imbalances, ecological crises, and cultural barriers remain severe, posing unprecedented challenges to the cause of peace and human development. Against this backdrop, we recognize that the Buddhist principles of compassion, the Middle Way, harmony, and the equality of all beings possess the spiritual power to transcend civilizations and faiths, providing essential wisdom to address the common challenges of humanity. On this 21st United Nations Day of Vesak, we extend auspicious blessings to Buddhists worldwide and pay our highest tribute to all individuals committed to world peace, human well-being, and the progress of civilization. We hereby declare:

I. Fortifying the Foundations of Lasting Peace

We encourage Buddhists to embody the teachings of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity (Metta, Karuna, Mudita, and Upekkha). We seek to enhance mutual respect and promote friendly exchanges among nations, ethnicities, and cultures. We advocate for dialogue over confrontation and inclusiveness over division, ensuring that the ideals of peace take root in hearts across the globe and that the power of peace safeguards every corner of the world, contributing wisdom toward the lasting peace.

II. Practicing the Spirit of Selflessness and Altruism

Addressing the global imbalance in development—particularly poverty, hunger, and disease in underdeveloped regions—we call upon the international community to strengthen cooperation. We urge increased support for vulnerable groups through universal education, medical assistance, and technology sharing to improve living conditions and achieve common development and shared prosperity.

III. Promoting Harmonious Coexistence Between Humanity and Nature

We promote the Buddhist ecological vision of the non-duality of the environment and human existence. We advocate for green, low-carbon, and sustainable lifestyles and actively engage in practices such as tree planting, protecting life, environmental purification, ecological restoration, and animal protection. We must cherish our Earth, maintain ecological balance, foster harmony between humanity and nature, and ensure a sustainable home for future generations characterized by blue skies, green lands, and clean waters.

IV. Building a Communitywith a Shared Future for Mankind

We support mutual learning and exchange through Buddhist culture and the arts as a means of strengthening bonds among peoples and fostering friendship across nations and regions. We advocate mutual assistance, solidarity, and goodwill among all people, while promoting mutual respect, dialogue, and mutual learning among different civilizations, ethnic communities, and countries. Guided by compassion, equality, wisdom, and harmony, we encourage the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes, the cultivation of humanity’s shared values, and collective efforts to address global challenges, thereby contributing to the building of a global community with a shared future for mankind.

We sincerely call upon Buddhists worldwide to join hands, follow the Buddha’s teachings, and work together to safeguard global peace and enhance the well-being of all sentient beings. We earnestly hope that governments, international organizations, civil society, and people of all faiths will strengthen multilateral cooperation, uphold international law, and jointly build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

May the light of the Buddha’s wisdom illuminate the earth. May compassion and inclusiveness dissolve all strife. May peace and justice endurefor humanity. May all people work with one heart and one mind to build a beautiful world free from conflict, poverty, and discrimination—a world where everyone lives in peace and all beings coexist in harmony.

This Declaration is hereby adopted.