Buddha's Birthday contributes to spreading Buddhist cultural values

(GLO)- Editorial: On the occasion of the 2569th Buddha's Birthday, Gia Lai Newspaper reporters interviewed Most Venerable Thich Tu Van - Member of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the province about the significance and activities of the Sangha on this event.

* Reporter: What is new about this year's Buddha's Birthday celebration in Gia Lai compared to the past, Venerable?

Venerable Thich Tu Van. Photo: LT

- Venerable THICH TU VAN: This year's Buddha's Birthday took place in an atmosphere filled with joy for the country's major anniversaries such as the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), towards the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2025) and the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025)...

The 2569th Buddha's Birthday is a special foreign event of the country and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, taking place between the 9th term of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the 6th term of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Gia Lai province, a period that promises many new achievements in Buddhist activities locally, as well as nationwide.

In the atmosphere of the 2025 Buddha's Birthday, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of the province has guided the organization of the Festival in the province. The main tasks include: organizing banners to welcome the Buddha's Birthday, flower parade, Buddhist cultural exhibition, visiting martyrs at the provincial Martyrs' Cemetery, and performing arts to celebrate Buddha's Birthday. The provincial level organizes the main stage at the Truc Lam Tay Nguyen Zen Monastery (Ia Der commune, Ia Grai district).

The district-level Executive Committee and the pagodas and monasteries in the province organized the ceremony, along with various forms of decoration and cultural and artistic activities. Buddhist flags were hung in the homes of Buddhists and decorated to celebrate Buddha's birthday... In particular, the attention of local authorities at all levels also created favorable conditions, provided support in many aspects and ensured security and order during the festival. Along with that was the solidarity of Buddhists, contributing to the great success of the Buddha's birthday celebration in the province.

Buddhists parade flower bicycles to celebrate Buddha's birthday on main roads in Pleiku City. Photo: LT

* Reporter: How does the Venerable evaluate religious activities in Gia Lai recently?

- Venerable THICH TU VAN: After 50 years of national reunification, Gia Lai Buddhism has grown. Many pagodas and monasteries have been renovated, upgraded or newly built on a large scale with rich architecture, meeting the religious needs of the people. Up to now, the whole province has 120 pagodas and monasteries with more than 500 dignitaries and monks and nuns. Many young monks and nuns with high qualifications have been trained at home and abroad, meeting the general development needs of the Church. The provincial Buddhist College alone has completed 4 training courses with nearly 180 monks and nuns graduating and is continuing to train the 5th course.

Monks, nuns and Buddhists in the whole province are very excited because religious activities in general, and Buddhism in particular, have received attention and support from local leaders at all levels. This affirms that the life of Buddhism and other religions in Gia Lai is increasingly favorable, in compliance with the Party and State's policies on respecting freedom of belief and religion...

On behalf of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, I hope that monks, nuns, Buddhists, pagodas and monasteries will continue to promote the tradition of "protecting the nation and bringing peace to the people" of Vietnamese Buddhism, accompany the nation, well implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, and comply with religious activities in accordance with the law and the Charter of the Sangha. At the same time, pagodas and monasteries will guide Buddhists to practice and study according to the Buddha's spirit of compassion and wisdom, pay attention to social charity work, actively participate in building cultural life in residential areas and carry out movements organized by the locality.

Wishing all of you, monks, nuns, and Buddhists a joyful Vesak 2025, Buddhist calendar 2569, with peace of mind and body!

* Reporter: Thank you very much, Venerable!

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/dai-le-phat-dan-gop-phan-lan-toa-gia-tri-van-hoa-phat-giao-post322184.html