Buddha's Birthday Celebration: Lighting the Lamp of Compassion, Fostering Unity

The Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Thich Tri Quang, called on monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to ignite compassion and use wisdom and unity as the foundation for the country's development.

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•31/05/2026

Buddha's Birthday - Photo 1.

The Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Thich Tri Quang, performs the ritual of celebrating Buddha's birthday - Photo: VAN TRUNG

On the morning of May 31st (April 15th in the lunar calendar), the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Ho Chi Minh City organized the Grand Buddha's Birthday Celebration for the Buddhist year 2570 at Vietnam National Pagoda (Ho Chi Minh City).

Attending the ceremony were Venerable Thich Tri Quang - Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; Venerable Thich Thien Nhon - Vice Supreme Patriarch of the Council of Buddhist Elders, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; along with other venerable monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers.

Representing Ho Chi Minh City leadership were Mr. Duong Anh Duc - Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Mr. Tran Van Bay - Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; and Mr. Huynh Thanh Nhan - Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council.

Ignite compassion, foster unity.

At the ceremony, Venerable Thich Vien Minh, Vice-Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, read the message for the Buddha's Birthday Celebration, Buddhist Calendar 2570, from the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Thich Tri Quang.

In his message, the Supreme Patriarch urged every Buddhist follower to be even more enthusiastic in applying the Buddha's teachings to their lives, and to light the lamp of compassion so that its light may spread, warm everyone, and make life better.

The message stated: "The Buddha's teachings on compassion and wisdom in the light of dependent origination are not only a solution for building peace and unity, but also a source of positive life and a foundation for sustainable development."

Looking back at history and the teachings of the Buddha through the Lion's Roar Sutra, we believe that when all decisions are based on the people and for their benefit, there will be harmony, consensus, and unity, and success will certainly be achieved."

Buddha's Birthday - Photo 2.

Venerable Thich Tri Quang at the Buddha's Birthday Celebration

Buddha's Birthday - Photo 3.

Venerable Thich Le Trang delivered the Buddha's Birthday speech.

On this occasion, Venerable Thich Le Trang - Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Ho Chi Minh City, and head of the organizing committee for the Buddha's Birthday Celebration 2570 in Ho Chi Minh City - read the Buddha's Birthday address of the late Venerable Thich Thien Nhon.

The speech emphasized that for over 2,000 years, Vietnamese Buddhism has always been closely intertwined with the nation's history, taking the spirit of protecting the country and ensuring the well-being of the people, and engaging with the world to save lives as its ideal of service.

This year, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha celebrates its 45th anniversary with the message "Buddhism develops alongside the nation as it enters an era of national progress."

According to the speech, this is not only a message of faith and aspiration for national development, but also a vow to continue the tradition of engaged Buddhism in Vietnam in the new era.

"Every Buddhist needs to ignite the spirit of serving humanity, applying the teachings of compassion and wisdom to daily life; building happy families and a peaceful society; spreading a culture of love, a sense of responsibility, and an ethical lifestyle in the community."

"Young monks and nuns need to constantly improve their intellect, moral character, and international integration capabilities, continuing the tradition of their predecessors who have contributed to Buddhism and the nation; contributing to building a strong and modern Vietnamese Buddhism while preserving the traditional national identity and the essence of Vietnamese Buddhism," the speech stated.

Buddha's Birthday - Photo 4.

Monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers look forward to the Great Buddha's Birthday Celebration, Buddhist Calendar 2570.

Continue to spread the spirit of "living a good life and upholding moral values".

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Van Bay said that the city always appreciates, acknowledges, and highly values the contributions of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Ho Chi Minh City in charitable and humanitarian work, ensuring social welfare and improving the spiritual lives of the people.

He extended his best wishes to all venerable monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers for a joyful and spiritually fulfilling Vesak season, filled with national unity.

Buddha's Birthday - Photo 5.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Van Bay delivered a speech.

"Promoting knowledge, morality, compassion, and generosity, performing good deeds that benefit society and uphold moral values, bringing joy and relieving suffering, serving all beings, in accordance with the nation's tradition of mutual support and love."

Upholding the tradition of protecting the nation and ensuring the well-being of the people, the Vietnam Buddhist Association and the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Ho Chi Minh City always pay attention to leading and guiding monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to operate in accordance with the principles of Dharma, nation, and socialism.

"The Party and State of Vietnam always respect the right to freedom of belief and religion; creating conditions for people and religious dignitaries, monks, nuns, and Buddhists to both fulfill their religious needs and perform their civic duties in the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland," Mr. Tran Van Bay emphasized.

Buddha's Birthday - Photo 6.

A large number of monks and nuns attended the Buddha's Birthday celebration.

He also expressed his hope that the Vietnam Buddhist Church would continue to affirm its rightful place in the hearts of the nation and among international friends.

"I believe that practical activities following the Vietnamese Buddhist motto of 'good life, beautiful morality' will contribute positively to building happy families together with the Party Committee, government, and people of the city, aiming towards the goal of building Ho Chi Minh City into a city with a high quality of life, civilized, modern, and compassionate," he said.

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HOAI PHUONG - VAN TRUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dai-le-phat-dan-thap-sang-ngon-den-tu-bi-vun-dap-doan-ket-20260531104729812.htm