Accompanied by Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen; Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Committee for Mass Mobilization Bui Thi Minh Hoai.

Every year in the fourth lunar month, Buddha's Birthday is solemnly held by monks, nuns and Buddhists both at home and abroad. This is not only an opportunity for each Buddhist child to show gratitude towards his or her Guru, but also an opportunity for society to honor the good ethical and cultural values ​​of Buddhism for social life.

* Visiting and congratulating the Elder Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, the Dharma Chairman of the Council of Proving the Vietnamese Buddhist Church at Hue Nghiem Pagoda, President Vo Van Thuong sent his best wishes to the Most Venerable Dharma Master; Wishing the Church and all monks, nuns, and Buddhist compatriots at home and abroad to welcome a peaceful, joyful and happy Buddha's birthday.

State President Vo Van Thuong visited and congratulated the Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, the Dharma Chairman of the Council for the Evidence of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church at Hue Nghiem Pagoda. Photo: VNA 

Recalling the process of importing Buddhism into Vietnam for thousands of years, the President stated that Buddhism is now one of the important religions in Vietnam, having a lot of influence in social life. Buddhism has always been a patriotic religion, accompanies the nation, has made many important contributions to the cause of "protection of the country and peace of the people". 

The President noted that, over the past time, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has been constantly developing and growing in all aspects; can do many good things in life. In particular, the Church has mobilized monks, nuns and Buddhists nationwide to live and work according to the guidelines and lines of the Party, policies and laws of the State, fulfill the obligations of citizens, and build a cultural life. education, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, advocacy for humanitarian relief, helping people in difficult circumstances due to natural disasters, epidemics and misfortunes in life. These humane activities are the continuation of the tradition of protecting the country and the people, "Serving sentient beings is making offerings to the Buddhas", contributing to arousing the responsibility and mutual affection of the whole society. contributing to the building of great national unity bloc.

The State President affirmed that the consistent policy of the Party and State always respects and ensures the people's right to freedom of belief and religion, and pays attention to and creates conditions for religious organizations to operate in accordance with the Constitution and the law; promote cultural values, good ethics and resources of religion for the development of the country for the goal of "Rich people, strong country, democratic, fair and civilized society".

The State President emphasized that the Party, State and Vietnam Fatherland Front believe and wish that, with the leadership position of the head of the Certification Council, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang together with the religious leaders will have a new term with many successes; at the same time, instructing Vietnamese Buddhist monks and nuns to continue implementing the motto "Dharma - Nationalism - Socialism", contributing to the construction and defense of the Fatherland.

State President Vo Van Thuong performed the ritual of bathing the Buddha at Hue Nghiem pagoda. Photo: VNA 

Venerable Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Dharma Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Church Certification Council, thanked President Vo Van Thuong on behalf of leaders of the Party, State and Vietnam Fatherland Front to congratulate the Buddha's birthday dignitaries and dignitaries. Buddhist monks, nuns, Buddhists in Vietnam and have high appreciation for the position, role and achievements of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church over the past time.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang recalled the heroic history of Vietnamese Buddhism accompanying the nation in the cause of national construction and defense; At the same time, he mentioned the great significance of Buddha's birthday and said that, for monks and nuns, there is no greater joy than celebrating the Buddha's birthday.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang expressed his pleasure that under the leadership of the Party, the country has grown stronger and stronger, and its position and international prestige have grown stronger and stronger as President Ho Chi Minh wanted. The Most Venerable Dharma Master wishes and believes that the country will continue to achieve even greater achievements in the coming time, bringing an increasingly prosperous and happy life to the people.

Referring to the fact that Vietnam has successfully organized 3 times of the United Nations Day of Vesak, thereby spreading a good and humane image of the country and Vietnamese people in general, and Vietnamese Buddhism in particular, Venerable Thich Tri Quang said that international delegates and friends come to Vietnam not only to attend Vesak, but also to learn about religious freedom in Vietnam and witness the strong development as well as activities. There are many religions and beliefs in Vietnam.

Visiting and congratulating the Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at Minh Dao Pagoda, the President noted that since its establishment, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has had Over 40 years of construction and development, it has become a unified and strong common house of Vietnamese Buddhism both at home and abroad. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and other leading dignitaries of the Church have made many positive contributions, joining hands with authorities at all levels, the Fatherland Front and mass organizations in building the national unity bloc. religious ties and carry out patriotic emulation movements, social security work, and community work in recent years.

State President Vo Van Thuong visited and congratulated Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at Minh Dao Pagoda. Photo: VNA 

Dignitaries, monks and nuns of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, as well as a large number of Buddhists, have carried out many beneficial and beneficial activities, contributing to the development of the country. With the motto "Dharma - Nation - Socialism".

Emphasizing that 2023 is a year of special significance for the Buddhist Church of Vietnam, the first year to implement the Resolution of the Ninth National Buddhist Congress, President Vo Van Thuong wishes that the Church promote the tradition of Vietnamese Buddhism, gain more achievements for the sake of religion and life; mobilize monks, nuns and Buddhists to join hands with the whole people to make an increasingly important contribution to the cause of national construction and development in the new period.

Sincerely thank President Vo Van Thuong and the delegation for visiting and congratulating the Buddha's birthday at Minh Dao Pagoda, Venerable Thich Thien Nhon said, along with Buddhism around the world, monks, nuns, and Buddhists all The country is joyfully welcoming the Great Buddha's Birthday - Vesak with wishes for peace and happiness.

Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon emphasized that, after 8 terms, during the 40-year journey, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is the only representative for Vietnamese monks, nuns and Buddhists in the country and abroad. Buddhism is beneficial for the cause, beneficial for life, has many achievements in participating and contributing to the construction and defense of the mighty and prosperous Vietnam.

Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon expressed his gratitude to leaders of the Party, State and authorities at all levels who have always cared and supported the activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in recent years. The Venerable Master said that since the 7th National Buddhist Congress, the Church at all levels is actively implementing the Congress's Resolution and the 2.000th Amendment Charter. In particular, the Church continues to push forward. strengthen social welfare and charity activities with a total value of nearly 500 billion VND/year. Since the beginning of the year alone, the Church has carried out social work activities with a total value of nearly 70 billion VND. Responding to the call of the President, the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the launching ceremony to support the building of great solidarity houses for poor households in Dien Bien province, towards the 7th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory (May 5, 1954 / May 7, 5), the Church has registered to support 2024 houses for disadvantaged people in Dien Bien.

Information about many important activities of the Church from now until the end of 2023, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon said, the Church will solemnly organize the Buddha's Birthday and the 60th anniversary of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc. cremation and many other important international cooperation activities; strive to strive in accordance with the motto: Dharma, nation, socialism and the theme of the XNUMXth Congress of the Church: "Discipline - Responsibility - Solidarity - Development". 

On this occasion, on behalf of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang and Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon sent their gratitude to President Vo Van Thuong and authorities at all levels; I hope that the President will continue to support, pay attention to and create favorable conditions for the Buddhist community of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Buddhist activities and join hands in building and developing Vietnam on a daily basis. a prosperity.

VNA