Buddha's Birthday Celebration 2570 in Laos

On May 31st, Phat Tich Pagoda in Vientiane, Laos, held the Great Buddha's Birthday Celebration for the year 2570 of the Buddhist calendar (2026 of the Gregorian calendar). This is one of the important cultural and spiritual events of the year for the Vietnamese community in Laos, aiming to strengthen ties among overseas Vietnamese, connect with their roots, and preserve their national cultural identity.

The Buddha procession ceremony, morning of May 31st, at Phat Tich Temple in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: DUY TOAN)

Attending the ceremony were Venerable Thich Minh Quang, Head of the Coordinating Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Laos and Abbot of Phat Tich Pagoda; Venerable monks, abbots, and nuns from both Vietnam and Laos; representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy and agencies alongside the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos; and a large number of lay Buddhists, Vietnamese expatriates living, studying, and working in Laos.

At the ceremony, Venerable Thich Minh Quang conveyed to the monks, nuns, Buddhists, and the Vietnamese community in Laos the message from the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - the Great Venerable Thich Tri Quang. The message emphasized that in 2026, Vietnam will enter a new phase after the reorganization of administrative boundaries, the consolidation of personnel, and the amendment and adoption of several laws, with a determination to strive for development.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam and his wife perform the offering ceremony. (Photo: DUY TOAN)

The Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha expressed his wish that all venerable monks, nuns, and lay Buddhist members of the Sangha continue to dedicate themselves to service in mindfulness and peace, contributing to the dignity of the Sangha and promoting the fine national traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism. He also wished that each Buddhist disciple would be even more enthusiastic in applying the teachings of the Buddha, together lighting the lamp of compassion so that its light may spread, warming everyone and making life better.

Also at the ceremony, Vietnamese and Lao religious dignitaries, along with Buddhist followers and Vietnamese people in Vientiane, commemorated the Buddha Shakyamuni; performed the incense offering and Tak-bat (offering) rituals, conducted the traditional Buddha bathing ceremony on Buddha's birthday, and prayed for peace, tranquility, and happiness for the entire nation in general and for Vietnamese expatriates in Laos in particular.

Presenting gifts to Buddhist followers in difficult circumstances and with disabilities in the capital city of Vientiane. (Photo: DUY TOÀN)

On this occasion, Phat Tich Pagoda, along with benefactors, presented 200 gifts to Buddhist followers in difficult circumstances and those with disabilities in the capital city of Vientiane.

TRINH QUOC DUNG - LE DUY TOAN

Reporter of Nhan Dan Newspaper based in Laos

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dai-le-phat-dan-2570-tai-lao-post966064.html