Also attending were Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, member of the Party Central Committee, Vice President, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; leaders of ministries, branches, and central agencies; Most Venerable Thich Thanh Dung, Deputy Supreme Patriarch and Chief Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Council; Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; and religious leaders of the Executive Council and the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

Here, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully sends to the dignitaries of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, monks and nuns, and Buddhists at home and abroad the best wishes; wishing the 2567th Buddha's Birthday of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha a perfect success.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and religious dignitaries and delegates perform the Buddha bathing ritual at Quan Su Pagoda, Hanoi.

The Prime Minister said that Buddhism is a religion of compassion, kindness and goodness. Buddhism was born for human life and for the happiness and peace of humanity. In practicing its teachings and life, Buddhism always upholds the spirit of "Buddhism is not separate from worldly dharma" - Buddhism and life are always closely linked. This philosophy of Buddhism has existed since its introduction to Vietnam, is the worldly thought of King Tran Nhan Tong, Tran Thai Tong, Zen masters of the Ly - Tran dynasties and continues to this day.

With nearly two thousand years of attachment and companionship with the nation, Vietnamese Buddhism has gone through ups and downs along with the country's history. Buddhism has permeated, spread, and blended into Vietnamese society, becoming an important part of the cultural and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

The Prime Minister affirmed that in any period of history, Buddhism has made worthy contributions to the cause of national construction and defense with the spirit of “Protecting the nation, pacifying the people” and the motto “Dharma - Nation and Socialism”. In recent years, Buddhist activities and social activities have always been innovative, closely following vivid reality, always aiming at people, for people; charitable, humanitarian and social security activities have been unanimously supported by a large number of followers, Buddhists and people.

The Head of Government emphasized that the Party and State highly appreciate the participation and active material and spiritual contributions of Buddhism in the prevention and fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, together with the whole country to consolidate and promote the spirit and strength of national solidarity, overcome difficulties, defeat the pandemic, and contribute to socio-economic recovery and development. The Prime Minister emphasized that our Party and State have no other goal than a strong and prosperous country with a prosperous and happy people.

Along with that, with 3 successful organization of the United Nations Vesak Festival, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has made an important contribution to the development of world Buddhism and enhanced the position and role of Vietnamese Buddhism, the image of the country and people of Vietnam in the eyes of international friends.

The Prime Minister acknowledged, highly appreciated and sincerely thanked the great contributions of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers at home and abroad to the country in recent times.

The Prime Minister stated that our Party and State always affirm and consistently implement the policy of respecting and ensuring the people's freedom of belief and religion; ensuring that religious activities comply with the law, the charters and regulations of religions recognized by the State; effectively implementing the goal of religious solidarity and great national solidarity; promoting the good cultural and ethical values ​​of religions and the resources of religions for the country's development (in the spirit of the 13th National Party Congress Document).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated the Venerable Sangha of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on the occasion of the 2023 Buddha's Birthday.

2023 is an important year for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the first year to implement the Buddhist activities program set forth in the Resolution of the 9th Congress of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, term 2022-2027. In particular, after many years of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's Buddha's Birthday was solemnly held in many places across the country, gathering many monks, nuns, Buddhists and people to attend, contributing to spreading good values ​​in life.

The Prime Minister hopes and believes that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will continue to promote the spirit of engagement in the world, taking service to sentient beings, the masses, religion, life, the country and the people as the direction of practice; realizing the wish of President Ho Chi Minh, the national liberation hero and outstanding cultural figure: “Vietnamese Buddhism and the nation are like a shadow and a form, two but one. Venerable monks, nuns and Buddhists actively practice the spirit of Compassion, Selflessness, Altruism in the cause of saving the country, defending the country and preserving religion so that together with the whole people we can live in Independence, Freedom and Happiness”.

The Prime Minister requested the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at all levels to continue promoting the tradition of solidarity, setting good examples, implementing and encouraging monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to well implement the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's policies and laws; actively respond to patriotic emulation movements, proactively participate in and effectively carry out charitable, humanitarian, and social security activities; and promote the strength of national solidarity for a strong, prosperous, happy, and prosperous Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh takes a photo with the dignitaries of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

The Prime Minister reiterated the words of beloved President Ho Chi Minh, wishing all dignitaries of the Sangha Council, the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and all monks, nuns, and Buddhists at home and abroad “always good health, diligently practice, serve sentient beings, serve the Fatherland, and protect peace.”

Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that along with Buddhists around the world, monks, nuns, and Buddhists across the country are joyfully welcoming the Vesak Festival with wishes for peace and happiness.

According to the Venerable, under the leadership, care and support of the Party, State, Government, Fatherland Front and central ministries, branches at all levels and sectors, the Vesak Festival in Vietnam was organized solemnly, solemnly, successfully, and with the desired results, affirming freedom of belief in a peaceful and unified country under the leadership of the Party and the management of the State. Through that, we also see the spirit of great solidarity, harmony and dedication of Vietnamese Buddhism in serving the nation, sentient beings and developing the Dharma in a stable and solemn manner according to the action program and motto of the Church "Dharma - Nation and Socialism".

Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon affirmed that Buddhism always accompanies the nation, in times of peace as well as in times of danger. In times of peace, Buddhism contributes to building and developing the country; in times of war, Buddhism and the people contribute to protecting the beloved Fatherland. During the Covid-19 pandemic, monks and nuns have "taken off their cassocks and put on white coats", together with the Party, the State, the entire political system and the people to overcome the pandemic. On average, each year, the Church spends over 2 trillion VND on social security and social charity work.

On behalf of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the Party, State, and all levels and sectors for their congratulations on the Buddha's Birthday; and wished to continue receiving support, attention, and favorable conditions for the Buddhist community of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Buddhist activities.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will continue to guide monks, nuns, and Buddhists nationwide to properly implement the Party's policies and guidelines, the State's laws, and the Sangha's Charter, contributing to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, for the goal of an increasingly prosperous, strong, and prosperous country, with a well-off and happy people.

News and photos: VNA