An estimated 500 people, especially those of Nepalese and Tibetan origin, gathered at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights May 22 to mark the 2,560th birthday of Lord Gautam Buddha.
The celebration in Jackson Heights was organized by the Himalayan Buddhist Community of Nepal in the U.S., a nonprofit working to unite all the Buddhism followers from Nepal in the United States.
According to a QNS.com report, dozens of Buddhist priests recited a special prayer during the celebration. “This festival is a platform to bring together all the Nepalese Buddhists living in the USA,” Tenzing Ukyab, president of the organization was quoted as saying by QNS. “The other purpose of the celebration is to spread the information of the birthplace of Buddha, which is Nepal,” Ukyab said.
The official name of the Buddha’s birthday celebration is Vesakha, and is known as Buddha Purnima, or Buddha Jayanti. The day is celebrated all over the world, including, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal that have sizeable Buddhist population.
In New York the United Nations observed the day May 20 with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noting how the teachings of Buddhism can help the international community tackle pressing challenges, including violent conflicts, atrocious human rights abuses and hateful rhetoric aimed at dividing communities.
“On this Day of Vesak, let us pledge to reach out to bridge differences, foster a sense of belonging, and show compassion on a global scale for the sake of our common future,” Ban said.
In Jackson Heights, scores of people, dressed in their ethnic costumes, attended the rally and offered prayers. Ani Kunga Chodron, who is a Harvard graduate, made a special remark at the gathering during which she highlighted Buddha’s teachings. ““I have always believed that following Buddha’s preaching will always bring positivity in one’s life,” she was quoted by QNS.
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