Buddha's Birthday: Unity, harmony, actively building a peaceful world

Đại lễ Phật đản: Đoàn kết, hòa ái, tích cực kiến tạo thế giới hòa bình - Ảnh 1. — The 2025 Buddha's Birthday celebration took place on the morning of May 12 at Vietnam National Pagoda - Photo: TTD

On the morning of May 12, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City organized the 2025 Buddha's Birthday Celebration at Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City.

Attending the ceremony were the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Duc Nghiep, Deputy Supreme Patriarch, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Thien Nhon, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Vien Minh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Central Control Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Thien Phap;

Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council Nguyen Thi Le, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's Mass Mobilization and Propaganda Department Nguyen Manh Cuong, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Nguyen Thanh Trung... along with thousands of monks, nuns, and Buddhists.

The 2025 Buddha's Birthday celebration took place in a solemn and peaceful atmosphere with Buddhist rituals.

Đại lễ Phật đản - Ảnh 2. — Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Council Nguyen Thi Le congratulates Buddha's Birthday - Photo: TTD

Light up the world with compassion and wisdom

Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang reads the message of the 2569th Buddha's Birthday.

This year's Vesak festival has great significance for Buddhism and the Vietnamese people. This is the first time the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has organized the United Nations Vesak Festival in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification.

Đại lễ Phật đản - Ảnh 3. — Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang reads the message - Photo: TTD

"On this year's Buddha's Birthday, we are blessed to be able to pay homage to the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni - the highest symbol of compassion, wisdom, courage and selfless altruistic vows.

We have enough affinity to welcome and worship the immortal heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc - a symbol of compassion, equality, and noble sacrifice for the happiness of the majority, for the longevity of Buddhism.

On the occasion of the sacred Buddha's birthday , I call on Buddhists to always diligently practice, realize the Samadhi of Compassion, spread love to all living beings, and together light up the world with compassion and the light of wisdom.

"I wish we can unite, be harmonious and actively create a truly peaceful and happy world," the head of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha shared.

Đại lễ Phật đản: Đoàn kết, hòa ái, tích cực kiến tạo thế giới hòa bình - Ảnh 4. — Venerable Thich Tri Quang performs the rituals of Buddha's Birthday - Photo: TTD

Using the light of wisdom to dispel ignorance and violence

In a solemn atmosphere, Venerable Thich Le Trang - Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City, head of the organizing committee - read the speech of the 2569th Buddha's Birthday Ceremony of the President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

A speech commemorating the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha, the great teacher who opened the path of compassion, wisdom and liberation for humanity. This is an occasion to commemorate three great events in the life of Sakyamuni Buddha: birth, enlightenment and nirvana.

Vesak is a global cultural and spiritual festival - where humanity turns to the values of Buddhist wisdom: compassion, wisdom and peace for today's world.

Đại lễ Phật đản - Ảnh 5. — Venerable Thich Le Trang reads the speech at the Buddha's Birthday Ceremony - Photo: TTD

"Today's world is still full of instability, people always face many challenges. More than ever, we need to arouse the spirit of solidarity and tolerance, taking people as the center of all actions.

The Buddha taught that "all beings have Buddha nature." This is an affirmation of the equal worth and dignity of all human beings, regardless of skin color, religion, nationality or social status.

The Buddha also showed us that "there is no path to peace, but peace is the path."

Together we call for putting aside differences to build a united global community; using the light of wisdom to dispel ignorance and violence; taking people as the center, respecting dignity, leaving no one behind on the journey of sustainable development" - excerpt from the speech at the Vesak Celebration .

On behalf of the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Head of the Mass Mobilization and Propaganda Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong spoke.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong said that Ho Chi Minh City was chosen by the Sangha to host and successfully organize the United Nations Vesak 2025, affirming the position and prestige of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the international community.

Đại lễ Phật đản: Đoàn kết, hòa ái, tích cực kiến tạo thế giới hòa bình - Ảnh 6. — Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong speaks - Photo: TTD

The Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's Propaganda and Education Commission emphasized: "We always identify the building and promotion of the great national unity bloc, including close ties with religious organizations in general and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in particular, as an important factor to maintain stability, sustainable development and improve the quality of people's material and spiritual life.

The city will continue to accompany and create favorable conditions for religious activities, build a civilized and healthy religious living environment, contribute to strengthening beliefs and promoting the spirit of "good life, good religion".

On this occasion, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City presented 1 billion VND to the Fund for the Poor in Ho Chi Minh City and 1 billion VND to the Fund for the Homeland's Seas and Islands - for the Frontline of the Fatherland.