Early May 15 (April 15 of the lunar calendar), provincial Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Board solemnly held a grand ceremony to mark the 2566th birthday of Lord Buddha. The ceremony was attended by Nguyen Hoang Thao, Permanent Vice-Secretary of provincial Party Committee; Nguyen Van Loc, member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Head of provincial Party Committee’s Mass Mobilization Commission, Chairman of provincial Fatherland Front Committee.
Nguyen Hoang Thao, Permanent Vice-Secretary of provincial Party Committee presents a flower basket as congratulation to provincial Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Board on the occasion of the Lord Buddha’s 2566th birthday
At the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Hue Thong, Head of provincial Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Board read the message on the Lord Buddha's 2566th Birthday Celebration of the Elder Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang – Acting Dharma Master of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha. The message emphasized that in any situation, a Buddhist disciple must also uphold morality, precepts and obey the law while diligently practicing the teachings of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity to nourish body and mind. That is the foundation for implementing social responsibility, eliminating evil, hatred, and insensitivity in society...
Right now, Buddhists disciples further promote the tradition of protecting the nation and the people, accompanying the nation. Each monk and nun needs to uphold their responsibilities and fulfill their duties in the spirit of "Discipline - Responsibility - Solidarity - Development", constantly striving to build up a strong Buddhist Sangha, further playing an important role in building the great national unity bloc, being active in the cause of national construction and defense.
Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of provincial leaders, Mr. Loc wished the local Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers a peaceful and happy Lord Buddha’s birthday celebration ceremony in the great national unity bloc. He said this year's Grand ceremony marking Lord Buddha’s birthday took place in the context that Binh Duong province has just overcome the most difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic. All the people of the province have just "safely, flexibly adapted to, effectively controlled the Covid-19 pandemic" while promoting economic development and ensuring social welfare. Although facing many difficulties, Binh Duong province well performed the local socio-economic development targets; people's living standards are increasingly improved with no one left behind… over the past time. These achievements were significantly contributed by religions in general, including Buddhism.
Provincial leaders recognized the role of the local Buddhist dignitaries, monks and nuns who were very exemplary in implementing and mobilizing Buddhist followers to well implement the guidelines of the Party, policies and laws of the State, actively participate in patriotic emulation movements launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations. The "rescue suffering and bring joy" practical actions of provincial Buddhist Sangha were clearly demonstrated through social charity activities over the past time. The local Buddhist Sangha was also very sensitive, promptly and effectively coped with emerging global problems such as the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Provincial leaders have always spoken highly of contributions by the local Buddhist Sangha to the cause of national unity, construction and local development while believing that the local Buddhist community will continue preserving and upholding the tradition of "Protecting the nation and the people" and the motto of "Dharma - Nationalism - Socialism".
With the spirit of solidarity, the local Buddhist monks, nuns and followers will continue promoting the tradition of Vietnamese Buddhism, contributing and replicating results achieved, joining hands with the local people to build up a prosperous, beautiful, civilized and modern Binh Duong.
Reported by Hong Thuan-Translated by Kim Tin
