Opening Ceremony of the Summer Retreat (An cư Kiết hạ) in Buddhist Calendar 2570

(CTO) - The Summer Retreat lasts for three months, aiming to help monks and nuns cultivate their practice and study of scriptures, precepts, and commentaries; update themselves on the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws, and current legal documents related to Buddhism.

On June 1st, at Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association (VBA) of Can Tho City held the opening ceremony of the Summer Retreat Course for the Buddhist year 2570.

Mr. Tran Van Chinh, Standing Committee Member of the City Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the City's Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, representatives from the City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, the City's Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion; and religious dignitaries attended the ceremony.

Delegates attending the opening ceremony of the Summer Retreat Course in Buddhist calendar 2570.

The An cư Kiết hạ (Summer Retreat) in the Buddhist year 2570 was held at four locations: the monastic retreat at Trúc Lâm Phương Nam Zen Monastery (An Bình ward) and Khánh Sơn Pagoda (Sóc Trăng ward); the nun's retreat at Phước Long Pagoda (Cái Răng ward) and Đại Giác Pagoda (Phú Lợi ward). At the same time, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the city also organized a 10-day meditation retreat at Khánh Quang Pagoda and Bảo An Pagoda (Ninh Kiều ward).

The three-month An cư Kiết hạ (Summer Retreat) aims to help monks and nuns cultivate their practice and study of Buddhist scriptures, precepts, and commentaries; update their knowledge of the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws, and current legal documents related to Buddhism... Through this, monks and nuns gain a better understanding of the necessary knowledge and conditions for studying, practicing, serving the Dharma and the Nation, and living a virtuous and moral life.

Mr. Ho Van Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of the city, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Summer Retreat Course in Buddhist calendar 2570.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Ho Van Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Can Tho City, expressed his hope that the monks, nuns, and practitioners observing the annual retreat would always strive diligently, cultivate moral virtues; uphold the spirit of harmony in Buddhism; strengthen national unity and religious solidarity. At the same time, he urged them to fulfill their civic duties well, strictly abide by the laws of the State; participate in patriotic emulation movements, and contribute together with all sectors of the people to building Can Tho City into an increasingly prosperous, civilized, modern, and compassionate city.

Text and photos: TAM KHOA

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/khai-giang-khoa-an-cu-kiet-ha-phat-lich-2570-a206031.html