by Dennis Augustine
APOLOGIES FOR REPOSTING THIS! THE LAST ONE I DID HAD THE WRONG PHOTOS
As a Catholic participating in interfaith dialogue and a longtime student of Buddhist Studies and mindfulness practices — both here and throughout Southeast Asia — for over 40 years, I was happy to see the Vatican reach out to Buddhists worldwide for Vesak, celebrated this year on May 11, 2026.
Vesak is the major Buddhist festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha.
For 61 years, the Catholic Church has long affirmed the importance of embracing “all that is true and holy” in other religions. In its Vesak message, the Vatican noted that Buddhism’s path toward liberation and enlightenment “finds deep resonance in our shared pursuit of truth and fullness of life.”
Over the years, I’ve attended meditation retreats and spiritual programs abroad — including in Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) — alongside Buddhist monks, Catholic nuns, priests, and rabbis, many of whom felt these experiences enriched their spiritual lives and deepened their compassion and understanding.
At a time when the world often feels divided, respectful interfaith dialogue and mindfulness practice can help open hearts rather than close them.
