[Vesak Day Celebrations]
SPEECH BY GEORGE YEO, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND MP FOR ALJUNIED GRC, AT THE VESAK DAY CELEBRATIONS AT FO GUANG SHAN ON 9 MAY 2009 AT 7.45 PM

Venerable Manko, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan (Singapore),
Mr Wan Pak Khiong, President of Buddha’s Light International Association (Singapore),
Masters, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. On Vesak Day, Buddhists around the world celebrate the birth of Buddha, His Enlightenment and His passing into Nirvana during the full moon in May. I would like to thank Fo Guang Shan and the Buddha’s Light International Association for inviting me to be the Guest-of-Honour at your Vesak Day celebrations. I am very happy to celebrate Vesak Day with every one here.

2. I thank Buddhists for their great contributions to the racial and religious harmony in Singapore. Buddhists are accepting of people of other religious faiths. Buddhist welfare organisations help Singaporeans of all races and religions. We are fortunate in Singapore that our various ethnic and religious groups view one another with respect and affection, working together on many projects which benefit Singaporeans.

3. The theme for your Vesak Day celebrations this year is “Bodhisattvas and Volunteers”. Founded in Singapore in 2000 and 1993 respectively, Fo Guang Shan and the Buddha’s Light International Association are not only religious organisations. They have also actively contributed to social harmony in Singapore and helped make Singapore a more compassionate society.

4 Fo Guang Shan and the Buddha’s Light International Association have many welfare organisations which look after old folks, orphans, the sick and the handicapped. Over a thousand volunteers contribute their time, talent and energy without reward or publicity. Not a few go overseas to help the needy in other countries ─ to Aceh after the tsunami, to Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis and to Sichuan after the terrible earthquake. In this regard, I would like to commend Fo Guang Shan, the Buddha’s Light International Association and the Buddhist community in Singapore for their selflessness in extending a helping hand to those in need.

5. Many people will be affected by this global economic downturn and will require help. While the Government will do its part, the role of civic organisations such as Fo Guang Shan and the Buddha’s Light International Association will be very important. Let us make a special effort in these difficult times to extend a helping hand to those in need. It is also good that our love and compassion go beyond Singapore. After all, we are all human beings.

6. I wish all of you good health and a Happy Vesak Day! Thank you.

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外交部长兼阿裕尼集选区国会议员杨荣文于
佛光山卫塞节庆祝活动上致词全文

日期：2009年5月9日
时间：晚上7时45分

新加坡佛光山住持滿可法师

国际佛光会新加坡协会会长温栢强先生

各位法师，各位尊贵的来宾、女士们、先生们：

1. 每年五月的月圆日，世界各地的佛教徒都会庆祝卫塞节，纪念佛祖的诞生、成道及涅槃。我要感谢佛光山及佛光协会邀请我当这次卫塞节庆典的主宾。我很高兴能在这里和大家共庆卫塞节。

2. 我要感谢所有的佛教徒，对我国的种族和谐以及宗教和谐，作出了巨大的贡献。佛教徒待人宽容，对其他不同宗教信仰的人，从来不分你我。佛教福利组织帮助国人，也不分种族，不分宗教。在新加坡，我们很幸运，各种族和宗教团体之间和谐共处，互相尊重。大家携手合作，推行了很多造福国人的计划。

3. 今年的卫塞节庆典主题是：“菩萨与义工”。佛光山和佛光协会，自2000年及1993年分别在新加坡成立以来，不仅仅是弘扬佛法的宗教团体，而是走入社会、积极创建和谐温馨社会的民间团体。

4. 佛光山和佛光协会设立了多个福利组织，照顾老人、孤儿、病人和残障人士。千多名义工，不问报酬，默默地付出时间和精力。他们当中有不少人甚至走出国门，去帮助其他国家的人。大海啸过后的亚齐、大风暴过后的缅甸、大地震过后的四川，都有他们的足迹。在这里，我要表扬佛光山、佛光协会以及我国的佛教徒，济困扶危，帮助他人的无私精神。

5. 目前，全球经济衰退，许多人将会受到影响，将需要帮助。虽然政府会提供援助，但是像佛光山、佛光协会等民间团体的帮助，也是很重要的。在这段困难时期，让我们更加努力，向那些需要帮助的人伸出援手。新加坡人能够超越国界，将关爱和温暖带给世界各地需要帮助的人，那是一件好事。毕竟，大家都是世界的一分子。

6. 我祝愿大家身体健康，卫塞节快乐！谢谢。

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