From May 12 to 14, 2017 (B.E. 2560), the 14^th United Nations Day of Vesak celebration was hosted in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for the first time, welcoming 1,600 participants from 72 countries. The celebration received support from the Mahanayakas Theros and Sanghas in Sri Lanka, as well as the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister H.E. Narendra Modi from the Republic of India led the Opening Ceremony, accompanied by H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, the President of Sri Lanka, and Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo. The Closing Ceremony took place at the historic Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy, where a special exposition of the Buddha’s Tooth Relic was held in conjunction with the event.

The celebration centred on the theme with Prof. Dr. Lewis Lancaster, Emeritus Professor of the Department of East Asian Languages at the University of California, USA, delivering the keynote address.

Panel discussions explored four sub-themes:
Buddhist Teachings for Social Justice and Sustainable World Peace At the celebration, Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV) and the International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU), officially announced the inaugural publication of the Common Buddhist Text (CBT) and distributed the book to all participants from 72 countries.

• At the conclusion of the celebration, participants unanimously adopted resolutions in the Kandy (Mahanuwara) Declaration.
• In realizing the long felt need to have an aligned organization among Buddhist Communities underpinned by solidarity, solemn initiatives shall be taken to form such an organization with minimum delay in furtherance of our objectives and aspirations based on values and principles of the teachings of the Buddha.
• In consideration of the challenges faced by Buddhist communities all over the world, plausible methodology shall be evolved to address and encounter them as one community.
• In considering the fact that tendency of materialism is superseding spiritualism, measures shall be taken to forestall the danger of not only of the debilitation of humanity but also calamities which may break out in consequence of such an inimical transition.
• In deciphering the hand writing on the wall which sounds an alarming danger to the existence of mankind as a consequence of the production and distribution of weaponry of mass destruction, measures shall be taken to ward off such production and distribution as a matter of great urgency and also to work in closer collaboration with international agencies and countries dedicated to ensure the restoration and retention of peaceful and harmonious environment in the world.
• In considering the unprecedented destruction of the environment that is being caused continuously, measures shall be taken to create awareness among the world community and to work in unison with organizations and countries which are dedicated to protect the environment.
• In view of the speedy addiction of the younger generations to drugs and narcotics measures shall be taken to create an awareness among them to the grave danger of it and to take every possible step to salvage them from that predicament.
• In considering the incorrigible disaster which is being constantly caused due to religious disharmony, our council shall play a prominent role in ensuring long lasting inter-religious harmony in the world.
• In view of the alarming decline of morals and spirituality, steps shall be taken to set-up a media network to disseminate the message of Dhamma leading towards a virtuous life based on Buddhist principles.
• In considering the overall deterioration of the human kind and the potential danger of the erosion of human values and qualities, the measures shall be taken to disseminate the teaching of the Enlightened One to help create a world free of conflict and strife by following the path enunciated by the Buddha.
• Sri Lanka being the country which preserved and protected the Dhamma over a period of two millennia, its Government expressed its commitment and dedication to extent its fullest support and corporation to United Nations as well as our Council to disseminate the Noble Dhamma for the achievement of the abovementioned sublime objectives and aspirations and to ensure a world of peace and serene for posterity. May Triple Gem Bless profusely shower upon all of you.

Subsequently, Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, President of the ICDV, together with the executive committee, Sangharajas, Mahanayakas, and Buddhist devotees from around the world, gathered to commemorate the United Nations Day of Vesak at the United Nations Conference Centre and took part in the candlelight procession held at Buddhamonthon in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, on 7 - 8 May 2017.