Remarks by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

On the Occasion of the Day of Vesak
10 May 2017

 

 

Venerable Monks,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

          It is a great honor for me to address you on the occasion of the International Day of Vesak.   I would particularly like to thank Ambassador Rohan Perera of Sri Lanka as well as Ambassador Virachai Plasai of Thailand for their leadership in organizing this event.

 

          Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the mid-sixth century, and it is now deeply rooted in Japanese society and culture, right down to the way in which Japanese people live their daily lives.   It is said that it was in the year 606 that Buddhist temples in Japan first began to hold hana matsuri, or “flower festivals”, to celebrate the day of Vesak.

The year 606 also coincides with the regency of Prince Shōtoku, a great political leader at that time in Japan.   He is said to have devoted himself to advancing Buddhism, to have ruled the country in the spirit of Buddhism and to have enacted the “Seventeen-Article Constitution,” which, as Japan’s oldest constitution, strongly upheld the teachings of Buddhism.

 

          In Article 10 of the Constitution, Prince Shotoku reminds us to show humility when we are caught in a dispute.   “It is not,” he wrote, “that we are all necessarily sages; it is not that they are all necessarily fools. Rather, we are all merely ordinary men.”   This phrase, “ordinary men”, refers to the concept that Lord Buddha taught us of pṛthag-jana (凡夫：ぼんぷ：プリタクジャナ).   With the understanding that we are all imperfect beings, that none of us can distinguish right from wrong at all times without fail; Prince Shotoku emphasized the importance of forgiveness, compromise and carefully listening to the opinions of others.

 

 

          Such wisdom may also guide us in the present world, when there are differences of opinion, particularly when it comes to disputes in the context of religion.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

          The current world confronts the spread of violent extremism and conflict, prevailing, unfortunately, under the pretext of religion. These conflicts stem from differences of opinion and interpretation, intolerance and lack of mutual respect and humility.   In this regard, interfaith and intercultural dialogues are as necessary as ever. I strongly believe that the teachings of Buddhism and Prince Shotoku can inspire our efforts to address these challenges.  

 

          Japan therefore supports and is joining the various initiatives of the United Nations and the Member States toward the promotion of inter-religious dialogue, including through the activities of UNESCO and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

 

          To conclude, I would like to offer my best wishes to those celebrating the Day of Vesak, and my sincerest hopes that we may all draw on spiritual ideals to strengthen our resolve to improve our world.

 

Thank you.