Recently, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Binh Duong province has been actively involved in various social charity activities, alongside its Buddhist practices. Guided by the motto "good life - good religion," these initiatives aim to support and care for people facing significant hardships, while effectively contributing to social security efforts.
Bustling atmosphere to welcome the Buddha's birthday
These days, the atmosphere to celebrate the Buddha's birthday (Buddhist calendar 2569 - Gregorian calendar 2025) at Buddhist establishments in the province has become more bustling and colorful with stages, flags, banners, etc. decorated everywhere. According to Most Venerable Thich Hue Thong, Vice President of Executive Council, Head of the Central Legal Department of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), Head of Executive Committee of Provincial VBS, the Buddha's Birthday is a grand event, of special significance to monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers, thereby showing respect for the Buddha, fulfilling spiritual rituals, and conveying the Buddha's message of "Compassion - Wisdom" to everyone.
This year's Buddha's Birthday celebration is intended to be organized thoughtfully and meaningfully. The Standing Committee of the Provincial VBS Executive Committee has developed a plan for the celebration and has also instructed District VBS Executive Committees to hold a ceremony either at headquarters of District VBS Executive Committees or at a suitable Buddhist establishment, depending on local conditions.
Attending and speaking at the Buddha's Birthday Ceremony organized by Provincial VBS’s Executive Committee, Mr. Bui Thanh Nhan, Provincial Party Standing Member, Head of the Provincial Party Mass Mobilization and Propaganda Commission, highly appreciated the positive contributions of religious followers, including Buddhism, to the overall development of the province in recent times. Buddhist leaders at all levels and monks and nuns in the province always set an example in implementing and encouraging Buddhist followers to well implement the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; actively participate in patriotic emulation movements launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other organizations, especially social charity activities. |
At the provincial level, the Buddha's Birthday Ceremony of Buddhist calendar 2569 - Gregorian calendar 2025 was solemnly held by Provincial VBS’s Executive Committee on May 11 (April 14 of the lunar calendar), with Buddhist rituals such as chanting sutras; bathing the Buddha; releasing doves and balloons to pray for world peace.
Previously, on May 10, Provincial VBS’s Executive Committee also organized a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate heroic martyrs at Provincial Martyrs Cemetery; a decorated propaganda truck parade from Hoi Khanh Pagoda (Phu Cuong Ward) to Hoi An Pagoda (Hoa Phu Ward, Thu Dau Mot City) and an art program to celebrate Buddha's birthday at the main stage of Hoi An Pagoda.
Good living, beautiful religion
As a member of the national solidarity bloc, Binh Duong Buddhism has actively engaged in social charity activities. Guided by the motto "Buddhism - Nation - Socialism," Executive Committees of Provincial and District Vietnam Buddhist Sanghas have encouraged monks, nuns, and Buddhists to participate in patriotic emulation movements launched by authorities at all levels, including the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and various organizations. This participation aims to contribute to the province's development, making it more civilized and compassionate.
A key focus of these efforts is social charity work. The Provincial and District VBS Executive Committees, along with Buddhist establishments, monks, nuns, and followers, consistently uphold the values of compassion and charity. They strive to improve the lives of those in difficult circumstances through meaningful social charity initiatives, spreading love and kindness within the community.
The practical efforts of Binh Duong Buddhism in "saving suffering and bringing happiness" are clearly demonstrated through various activities. These include providing charity housing for those facing housing difficulties, distributing gifts to the poor and disadvantaged, offering medical examinations and treatment, supplying charity medicines, supporting disabled children and orphans, and providing relief to individuals affected by natural disasters, floods, and salinity intrusion. Additionally, special assistance is offered during Tet for the poor. According to statistics, the total value of charitable work performed annually by Binh Duong Buddhism amounts to over 80 billion VND.
As part of the activities to celebrate this year's Buddha's Birthday, the Provincial VBS Executive Committee, District VBS Executive Committees, and local Buddhist establishments presented thousands of gifts to disadvantaged families in the region. Most recently, on May 11, at the Nirvana Buddha Statue Cultural Center - Hoi Khanh Pagoda, Social Charity Board of Provincial VBS, in coordination with the Provincial Red Cross, organized a "Zero-VND Market" to provide necessities for 500 disadvantaged individuals, including blind people, victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, and workers facing difficult circumstances in Thu Dau Mot City.
Venerable Thich Nu An Lien, Head of Social Charity Committee of Provincial VBS, stated that all goods and necessities at this market were donated by Buddhist establishments, monks, and nuns in the province, as well as benefactors who contributed small amounts to support those in need. During this year's Buddha's Birthday celebrations, many pagodas and temples in the province also organized gift-giving events for disadvantaged individuals in the localities.
Reported by H.Thuan, T.Tuyen - Translated by Ngoc Huynh
