During the period 2020-2025, the pagoda collaborated with the Fatherland Front at all levels and other organizations to carry out a series of charitable activities, contributing a total of over 17 billion VND.
“From a Buddhist perspective, doing good deeds is not only a duty but also a way to express compassion and responsibility towards life. We clearly understand that religious activities must go hand in hand with social welfare work, to bring faith, meaning, and hope to the unfortunate and disabled. This helps to alleviate the burden on the local community,” shared Venerable Thich Thien Nghia, Abbot of Thien Lam Pagoda.
The specific figures not only show the scale of contributions but also reflect the temple's perseverance and dedication in its journey of "relieving suffering and bringing joy": over 10,000 gifts have been handed directly to the poor, the elderly living alone, and the visually impaired; over 100 charitable houses and solidarity houses have been built for disadvantaged households; and over 150 million VND in scholarships each year support the children of Buddhist followers who are studious. Particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, the temple promptly provided medical equipment, masks, protective gear, and contributed 350 million VND to the vaccine purchase fund.
Another highlight is the free healthcare model using traditional medicine. The herbal medicine clinic located at the temple operates regularly on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, providing free examinations and dispensing medicine to approximately 20 people each day.
“We always believe that doing charity is not about seeking blessings, but about sowing seeds of goodness and cultivating compassion. All these actions stem from the heart, from love and kindness; adhering to the motto “Buddhism – Nation – Socialism,” taking the path of righteousness and morality as the foundation for all actions,” Venerable Thich Thien Nghia expressed.
Every house built, every dose of medicine distributed, every gift handed out to the poor… all are the result of the collective efforts of monks, Buddhists, generous benefactors, and the coordination of local authorities.
With the motto "Living a good life and upholding moral values," Thien Lam Pagoda is also one of the pioneering religious units in responding to campaigns of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, from "All people unite to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas" to "Day for the poor," "Joining hands to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses," contributing to building the image of a religious institution that walks hand in hand with the community.
From the ancient temple nestled in the heart of Go Ken, the spirit of compassion, wisdom, and service continues to spread through concrete actions, contributing to building national unity and nurturing humane, practical, and sustainable values for society.
“Religious activities cannot be separated from social responsibility. For welfare activities to be maintained and developed sustainably, closer guidance and connection between temples and the Fatherland Front and other organizations are essential, so that assistance can be given to the right people at the right time and with the most tangible results,” emphasized Venerable Thich Thien Nghia.
Hoa Khang - Khai Tuong
Source: https://baotayninh.vn/lan-toa-tinh-than-tot-doi-dep-dao--a191785.html
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