联合国秘书长潘基文：我将一直记得僧人们的善行

据斯里兰卡《每日新闻》报道，联合国秘书长潘基文在一条庆贺卫赛节的留言中表示：我很高兴在卫赛节这天问候大家，2008年，当我出访尼泊尔，在蓝毗尼园看到标志佛陀诞生之地的石柱时，我就很受感动，那石柱和寺院都给我留下了深刻的印象，我将一直记得摩耶夫人祠的僧人们的善行，佛祖的一生和他的理论激励着全世界数以万计的人们。

当我走入那个神圣的地方时，我思考着佛祖不平凡的一生。他放弃锦衣玉食的王子生活，创立了世界上最伟大的宗教之一的佛教。佛祖很富有，他完全可以过舒适的生活，但他却因天下苍生受苦而备受烦恼，遂放弃舒适的皇宫生活，来帮助那些受苦难的人们脱离苦海。我们要学习佛祖的这种慈悲精神。他永恒的教化引导我们度过当前全球的各种危机。

金融危机、全球变暖、传染病、恐怖主义和其他的国际危机把人们的命运紧密的联系在一起。一个国家的问题很快就可以影响全球。因此，我不断的提醒各国的领导人们要联合在一起，抵抗危机。否则就会失败。我们必须团结世界上的所有力量。这样做才是对的，也才可以把我们的利益最大化

全球团结的需要看起来好像是个现代概念，但事实上它不是。早在2500多年前，佛祖就教导我们，没有事物可以孤立的存在。所有因果都是相互依存的。更深一层的，他还教导我们，不要以他人的疾苦为乐。只有当我们伸出双手帮助其他人时，我们才可以发现最好的自我。

佛祖为我们提供了明智的教诲。我们每个人，不管在哪，做什么都要秉持这一精神。在卫赛节这天，让我们去帮助那些受苦难的人们，这样或许我们自身也会得到庇佑。

The Buddha's teachings inspires millions- UN Secretary General

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a message to mark Vesak states: I am pleased to send greetings on Vesak Day, which marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of The Buddha."

"Millions of people around the world have been inspired by The Buddha's life and teachings. I was personally very moved last year when I visited Nepal and saw the stone at Lumbini marking the Buddha's birthplace. I was impressed by the monuments and monasteries. I will always remember the kindness of the monks at the Mayadevi Temple."

"As I walked through the sacred area, I thought about the life journey of this extraordinary individual, who transformed himself from a sheltered prince to the founder of one of the world's great religions."

"He was rich. He could have lived a carefree existence. But he was troubled by the suffering of others, so much so that he left behind the comforts of his palace to help others overcome the painful realities of life.

"All of us can learn from The Buddha's spirit of compassion. His timeless teachings can help us to navigate the many global problems we face today."

"The financial crisis, climate change, pandemics, terrorism and other international threats prove that the fates of all people are linked. A problem in one country can quickly turn into a worldwide threat. I constantly remind leaders that we must act together or we will fail individually. I tell them that we must join forces in solidarity. Not only is this the right thing to do; it is in our best interests."

"The need for global solidarity may seem like a modern concept, but it is not. More than 2,500 years ago, The Buddha taught that nothing exists in isolation, and that all phenomena are interdependent. Just as profoundly, he taught that we cannot be happy as long as others suffer, and that when we do reach out, we discover the best in ourselves."

"These teachings offer wisdom for our times, too. Now it falls to each of us, wherever we are and whatever we do, to carry on this spirit. On this Day of Vesak, let us resolve to help people who are suffering so that we may secure a better future for all."