Grand Vesak Celebration The White House By Ven. Thích Trừng Sỹ
THE GRAND VESAK CELEBRATION AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington, D.C., United States of America
Buddhist Era 2570 (2026 C.E.)
THE IMPRINT OF COMPASSION, WISDOM, AND PEACE
Đại Lễ Vesak tại Tòa Bạch Ốc, Hoa Kỳ: Dấu Ấn Lịch Sử, ngày 11 tháng 6 năm 2026
Most Venerable and Venerable Members of the Sangha,
Dear Buddhist devotees and honored guests,
Vesak is the most sacred and important observance of the fourfold Buddhist community worldwide, commemorating the three momentous events in the life of the Blessed One, Shakyamuni Buddha: His Birth, Enlightenment, and Parinirvana. It is not only a time for millions of Buddhists around the world to honor and pay homage to the Buddha, the Fully Enlightened One and Teacher of gods and human beings, but also an occasion for all humanity to reflect upon the timeless values that Buddhism has offered to the world for more than twenty-six centuries: compassion, wisdom, peace, tolerance, and respect for the inherent dignity of every human being.
On June 11, 2026, a remarkable milestone was marked for the Buddhist community in the United States when the Vesak Celebration was held at the White House under the coordination of the White House Faith Office and the International Buddhist Association of America (IBAA). This event carries not only religious significance but also reflects the recognition of American society for the positive contributions of Buddhism in fostering moral values, culture, and peace for humanity.
The ceremony was solemnly conducted in the presence of venerable religious leaders representing various Buddhist traditions active in the United States, representatives of federal government agencies, international diplomats, and distinguished guests from many countries around the world. In particular, the program also welcomed officials from the White House Faith Office and the Spiritual Adviser to the President of the United States, reflecting the administration’s profound appreciation for the spiritual and cultural values of the Buddhist community.
At the opening of the ceremony, a representative of the White House Faith Office extended a warm welcome to the venerable monastic leaders and all distinguished guests, expressing honor and privilege in receiving the Buddhist community on the occasion of Vesak at the administrative center of the United States of America.
Following that, Ms. Wangmo Dixey, President of the International Buddhist Association of America, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of holding the Vesak Celebration at the White House, and affirming the universal values that Buddhism has offered and continues to offer to humanity in nurturing moral life, compassion, and harmony among nations in the spirit of peace.
Representing the President of the United States, Ms. Paula White—Spiritual Adviser to President Donald Trump and liaison for interfaith relations in the United States—conveyed the President’s greetings to the entire Buddhist community on the occasion of Vesak. In her remarks, she expressed her joy that the celebration was held at the White House and acknowledged the positive contributions of Buddhism to social life. She also expressed her hope that the Buddhist values of compassion, non-violence, and peace would continue to spread, contributing to the building of a more peaceful and humane world.
One of the most solemn and moving moments of the ceremony was the candle-lighting ritual in tribute to the Blessed One. The light of the candles was lit as a symbol of the enlightenment that has illuminated humanity for more than 2,600 years and continues to shine to this day. This was followed by a prayer for world peace conducted by the three major Buddhist traditions—Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna (Tibetan Buddhism)—reflecting the spirit of unity and harmony in the rich diversity of the global Buddhist community.
Representatives of the Buddhist traditions successively shared spiritual messages aimed at fostering peace, compassion, and the transformation of suffering. The Theravāda delegation included countries such as Thailand, Laos, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The Mahāyāna delegation brought together representatives of Buddhist traditions from Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
In particular, at this year’s Vesak Celebration, the Vietnamese Buddhist delegation was represented by the Most Venerable Thích Nguyên Siêu, President of the Executive Council of the Unified Vietnamese American Buddhist Congregation and Abbot of Phật Đà Temple in San Diego, California; the Most Venerable Thích Viên Lý, President of the Executive Council of the Overseas Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha and Abbot of Điều Ngự Temple, California; and Venerable Thích Chúc Đại, Head of the Education Department of the Unified Vietnamese American Buddhist Congregation and Abbot of Giác Sơn Temple, Maryland.
In his remarks on behalf of the Mahāyāna Buddhist tradition, the Most Venerable Thích Nguyên Siêu emphasized the significance of the Vesak Celebration being held at the White House—a symbol of democracy and global leadership. He affirmed that the core values and teachings imparted by the Buddha to humanity, including compassion, mindfulness, wisdom, and the aspiration for peace, remain as relevant today as ever, with the power to heal the suffering and divisions that continue to afflict our world. He also called upon Buddhists everywhere to continue sharing these noble messages with all people, thereby contributing to the building of a more humane, harmonious, and sustainable civilization.
The program then proceeded with addresses by diplomatic representatives and officials from the embassies and consulates of various nations. The speakers expressed their deep appreciation for Buddhism’s contributions to fostering ethical values in society, promoting intercultural dialogue, and advancing peace, mutual understanding, and harmony among nations throughout the world.
The Vesak Celebration concluded with the entire assembly joining their palms in prayer for world peace, the well-being and happiness of all people, and the enduring presence of the Buddha’s teachings. In a spirit of joy and deep inspiration, participants gathered for commemorative photographs, marking a meaningful spiritual event held at the White House—the center of one of the world’s most influential institutions of leadership and governance.
The 2026 Vesak Celebration at the White House was not merely a religious event; it stood as a symbol of the vibrant presence of Buddhism in contemporary society. It served as a bridge connecting cultures, spiritual traditions, and nations in a shared aspiration for freedom, peace, understanding, and compassion. This occasion will undoubtedly be remembered as a significant milestone in the history and development of the Buddhist community in the United States and throughout the world.
June 11, 2026
Giác Sơn Temple
Venerable Thích Chúc Đại
Head of the Department of Education
Unified Vietnamese American Buddhist Congregation
VESAK CEREMONY. Held in the EEOB, Thursday June 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Patrick B. Ruddy).
