BANGKOK(United Nations Information Services)--The General Assembly at its 79^th plenary meeting on 15 December 1999 adopted the resolution on international recognition of the Day of Vesak at the United Nations Headquarters and other United Nations offices.

The resolution, sponsored by Sri Lanka and 34 other countries, recognizes that the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May each year is the day most sacred to Buddhists, who commemorate on that day the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment and his passing away.

Therefore the resolution considers that international recognition at the United Nations Headquarters and other United Nations offices would constitute acknowledgement of the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religion in the world, has made for over two and half millennia and continues to make the spirituality of humanity.

The forthcoming Vesak Day will be the first Vesak Day after the adoption of the above United Nations resolution.. The Secretariat of H.H. the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand has decided to celebrate the occasion with a special on Tuesday, 16 May B.E. 2543 (2000) at the Holy Hall, Wat Borvornnivesa, Banlamphoo, Bangkok.