Quang Tri Provincial Leaders Contribute to the 2024 Buddha's Birthday Celebration

(Vietnam Buddhist Association Portal) On the morning of May 22, 2024, corresponding to the 15th day of the 4th lunar month, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Quang Tri province solemnly organized the Great Buddha's Birthday Celebration, Buddhist Calendar 2568 - Gregorian Calendar 2024, at the Sac Tu Tinh Quang ancestral temple, Ai Tu town, Trieu Phong district.

Provincial leaders and members of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of the province released doves and balloons to pray for peace.

Attending the meeting were: Nguyen Dang Quang, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Vo Van Hung, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Dao Manh Hung, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; Le Duc Tien, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with leaders of the Provincial Religious Affairs Department, leaders of various departments, agencies, and organizations, and leaders of districts, towns, and cities.

Following the flag-raising ceremony for the National Flag and the Buddhist Flag, the congregation listened to Venerable Thich Hai Tang read the Buddha's Birthday Message from the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to all monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers on the occasion of Buddha's Birthday 2568; and Venerable Thich Quang Thien read the Buddha's Birthday Address from the Chairman of the Executive Council. The message and address called upon all Buddhists to diligently practice the precious teachings of the Buddha, spread love, unity, and altruism, build a peaceful and tranquil world ; purify their minds; transform the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance; and wholeheartedly pray for an end to war.

In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, delegates, along with monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers, participated in traditional Buddha's Birthday rituals such as offerings, incense burning, prayers, and releasing balloons and doves, with the wish for national peace and prosperity, and good health for everyone.

Provincial leaders presented flowers and gifts and extended their best wishes to the dignitaries, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Quang Tri province.

Buddha's Birthday is one of the three major holidays of the year in Buddhism. It is also an occasion for monks, nuns, and Buddhists to express their gratitude and respect for the Buddha through the practice of Buddhist teachings. From this, they live consciously and responsibly, showing love and helping others, and working together towards a peaceful and happy world.

On this occasion, provincial leaders presented flowers and gifts and extended their best wishes to the dignitaries, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Quang Tri province for a peaceful Vesak 2024. They also expressed gratitude to the abbots, senior monks, and other dignitaries and Buddhist followers for their active contributions and support to the province's development. They hoped that in the future, these individuals would continue to foster and preserve national unity, contributing even more to the building and development of Quang Tri province into an increasingly civilized, prosperous, and beautiful place.

At the ceremony, provincial leaders and the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of the province released doves and balloons as a prayer for peace.

Pham My Hanh

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