The Pope's Vesak Message

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI "addressed Buddhists in his annual message for the Buddhist Feast of Vesakh," according to the Catholic News Agency. Vesakh, variously spelled Vesak, Vesakha, Wesak, and several other ways, is the observance of the birth, death and enlightenment of the Buddha.

In most of Asia, Vesak falls on May 8 this year, but in Japan Buddha's birthday as a separate holiday is observed on April 8.

This year's message is titled "Witnessing to a Spirit of Poverty: Christians and Buddhists in Dialogue." Released by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the statement said "We understand this [chosen] poverty to mean above all an emptying of self, ... creat[ing] in us a willingness to listen to God and to our brothers and sisters, being open to them, and respecting them as individuals." You can read the Pope's Vesakh message in its entirety here.