(GLO)- According to the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Gia Lai province, the Great Buddha's Birthday celebration of the 2567 calendar at the provincial level was held at the monument of Buu Thang Pagoda (Pleiku City). Localities in the province hold ceremonies at the district administration boards and at temples and viharas during the week of Buddha's birthday (from the 8th to the full moon of April).
Most Venerable Thich Giac Hien, Deputy Head of the Executive Board and Head of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Provincial Board of Directors of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said: “Buddhist birthday celebration is one of the biggest celebrations of Buddhism and is celebrated on the occasion of the fourth lunar month every year, to celebrate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the annual Vesak Day "as an international cultural and religious festival of the United Nations".
 |
|
Provincial Head of Religious Affairs Ho Hai Tan (left cover) gives gifts to congratulate the Buddha's birthday at the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Church in Ia Grai district. Photo: TN |
According to Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province Dinh Ngoc Hai: The Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province has instructed districts, towns and cities to implement a number of work contents on the occasion of Buddha's birthday and settle down in the Buddhist calendar this year. The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the district level actively cooperates with functional agencies and local authorities to guide and support the Executive Boards of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in localities to organize the Vesak Celebration in accordance with regulations. provisions of the law, and the guidelines of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
Especially on this occasion, provincial leaders, Provincial Committee for Mass Mobilization, Provincial Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front, Provincial Committee for Religious Affairs and related branches visited and congratulated the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. Provinces and typical clergymen, dignitaries... The districts, towns and cities also organized delegations to congratulate the district-level Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, pagodas and viharas, dignitaries, monk.
Towards this year's Buddha's Birthday, churches at all levels in the province have also deployed Buddhist and national flags, banners to celebrate Buddha's birthday at temples and viharas, along with decorations and decorations. cultural and artistic activities to celebrate Buddha's birthday. Up to now, 3 pagodas and viharas have celebrated the Buddha's birthday program, including: Van Phat Pagoda, Ngoc Phuc Vihara (Pleiku City) and Ngoc Lai Vihara (Ia Grai District).
Venerable Thich Quang Huong - Head of the Provincial Buddhist Guidance Committee - said: "With the approval of the local government, the Provincial Buddhist Guidance Board has just organized a parade with more than 40 flower bicycles, with pages decorated with Buddhist flags, national flags and images of Buddha's birthday, coming from Buu Nghiem pagoda through some main streets and roads along Hoi Phu stream (Pleiku city).
Talking with PV, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tri (Nguyen Ba Ngoc Street, Tra Ba Ward, Pleiku City) confided: "As a Buddhist, every time the Buddha's birthday comes, my heart feels like an indescribable light-headedness. Although my work is busy, I always find time to help with the preparations in the temple to celebrate Buddha's birthday."
Dao Thi Thuy (Ham Rong village, Ia Bang commune, Dak Doa district) said: “My family has 3 children, a stable job and is married. We often go to Buddhist temples to pray for a peaceful life and try to do good deeds to create merit for the future.” And, as young Xa Thi Thu Ha (group 4, Chi Lang ward, Pleiku city) said: “Since childhood, I often followed my parents to the temple. In recent years, I have regularly attended summer retreats organized by temples. Through this, I have gained more knowledge, learned many life skills and how to train myself, to become a useful person for my family and society in the future.
 |
|
Young Buddhists of the province participate in a bicycle parade to celebrate Buddha's birthday on the main roads in Ho Chi Minh City. Pleiku. Photo: Thanh Nhat |
On the occasion of the Buddha's Birthday, the 2567 calendar, on May 30, the delegation led by Comrade Pham Thi To Hai-Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Committee visited and congratulated Hoa. Venerable Thich Tri Thanh - Member of the Board of Directors of the Provincial Board of Directors of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; Most Venerable Thich Giac Tam, member of the Board of Directors of the Provincial Board of Directors of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Head of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Chu Pah district.
At the places visited, the Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Committee congratulated the dignitaries on the occasion of the Buddha's Birthday and the Buddha's Birthday in the 2567 calendar. Besides, the Head of the Provincial People's Committee encouraged the dignitaries to continue promoting their guiding role. Monks, nuns and Buddhists well implement the guidelines of the Party, policies and laws of the State, religious activities in accordance with the law and the Charter of the Church. At the same time, actively participate in charity activities, social security, building cultural life, patriotic emulation movements, contributing to local socio-economic development.
Talking to PV, Most Venerable Thich Tu Van - Member of the Executive Council of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - affirmed: "Monks, nuns and Buddhists in the whole province are very excited because of religious activities in general, as well as the 2567 Buddha's Birthday Celebration with the attention and help of local leaders at all levels. According to the orientation of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, this year's Buddha's Birthday takes place close to the 60th anniversary of the Bodhisatta Thich Quang Duc's death in the struggle for independence. national unity (1963-2023)".
According to Most Venerable Thich Tu Van, the church wishes that all religious leaders and all monks and nuns diligently practice the precepts, implementing the motto "Discipline-Responsibility-Unity-Development" to dignify the religion. festival. The religious clergy and all monks, nuns, and Buddhists fulfill the obligations of citizens to the Fatherland, conduct religious activities in accordance with the direction set forth by the Church, contribute to the construction of the country's homeland and education. strong association.
