Religious institutions join hands to support people in epidemic-affected areas.

Over the past period,Covid-19 pandemicThe situation in the province is complicated; Vinh City and some communes and districts have had to implement social distancing according to directives 15 and 16 of the Prime Minister, causing many difficulties for the lives of the people.

Venerable Thich Tam Thanh, abbot of Co Am and Phuc Lac pagodas, presents gifts to support the Covid-19 prevention fund: Photo: Le Khuong

In light of this situation, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of the province issued a document titled "Participation in supporting."COVID-19 prevention and control"

In the spirit of compassion and alleviating suffering, as taught by Buddhism.Following the national tradition of "mutual support and solidarity," the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the province earnestly calls upon all committees, venerable monks and nuns, and Buddhist followers to actively participate in fundraising for the vaccine fund according to their abilities. In particular, they should support the provision of essential supplies, food, and necessities for the daily lives of people in quarantined areas.

Many temples in Quynh Luu district actively support the Covid-19 prevention fund. Photo: Le Khuong

Responding to the call of the Provincial Buddhist Association, temples, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers in the province have joined hands in many practical actions such as: contributing to the Covid-19 epidemic prevention fund, supporting essential goods and medical equipment for officials and people in quarantine areas…

On this occasion, temples in the province have generously donated hundreds of millions of VND to the Anti-Epidemic Fund, notably Dai Tue Temple (Nam Dan), Co Am Temple (Dien Chau), Phuc Lac Temple (Nghi Loc), Dong Tuong Temple, Yen Thai Temple, and Lam Son Temple (Quynh Luu)...

Buddhist followers of Dai Tue Pagoda (Nam Dan) prepare vegetables and fruits to donate to people in Vinh City. Photo: Hoang Nam

Depending on the specific circumstances, each temple has its own way of contributing. At Vinh Phuc Temple in Nam Xuan commune (Nam Dan district), the "Journey of Connecting Love" initiative was launched by Venerable Thich Thien Tue, who organized the collection of donated materials and transported them to Vinh City to help people in quarantine.

Since June 14th, the temple has organized 17 truckloads of food (vegetables, fruits, etc.) donated by people in Nam Dan and Nghia Dan districts.

These materials were directly distributed by the pagoda to several locations in Vinh City, such as the "Zero-Cost Stall" (73 Dang Thai Than Street), the Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School, and to support residents in Ha Huy Tap, Vinh Tan, and Hung Dung wards, among others.

Venerable Thich Thien Tue, abbot of Vinh Phuc Pagoda (Nam Dan district), personally went to collect donations and distribute gifts to the people. Photo: Hoang Nam

Following the same approach, recently, monks and Buddhist followers of Dai Tue Pagoda, in coordination with various organizations and residents of Nam Anh commune (Nam Dan district), organized the collection of vegetables and fruits to donate to several locations in Vinh City to support the logistics of epidemic prevention and control efforts. They also collaborated with the volunteer group from Vinh University Medical Center to cook free meals for patients being treated at Military Hospital 4 and the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center...

During these days of intense heat, the monks,BuddhistThe temple in Phuc Thanh commune (Hung Nguyen district) is also actively campaigning and collecting donations of essential goods, vegetables, and fruits to transport and support people in Vinh City.

Venerable Thich Nguyen Tam has accompanied the Buddhist community with the spirit of "helping in any way possible." The "free trips" departing from Phuc Thanh commune, loaded with fruits and vegetables, to Vinh City, carry the heartfelt feelings, hopes, and sharing of the Buddhist community of Hung Nguyen for the people of Vinh City.

Representatives from Ong Pagoda in Phuc Thanh commune (Hung Nguyen district) provide essential supplies to local residents. Photo: Hoang Nam

Right when Vinh City was implementing social distancing according to Directive 16 of the Prime Minister, in order to share with the community, Diec Pagoda called for donations of instant noodles and rice to support some families in difficult circumstances.

Venerable Thich Dinh Tue, abbot of Duc Hau Pagoda (Vinh City), said: "With the desire to help people by contributing a small part to the fight against the epidemic, the pagoda has called on Buddhist followers and philanthropists to join hands in donating. 'Many hands make light work,' although the pagoda's contribution is small, it will help share the difficulties with people in distress."

Duc Hau Pagoda (Vinh City) donates gifts to support local efforts in combating the pandemic. Photo: Le Khuong

On this occasion, in addition to supporting the Vaccine Fund for epidemic prevention in Nghi Duc commune (Vinh City) and Chau Nhan commune (Hung Nguyen district), Duc Hau Pagoda also donated essential goods and medical equipment to quarantine checkpoints, and provided food and supplies to many disadvantaged families in Vinh City...

Due to the pandemic, it was impossible to deliver gifts in a centralized location, so Duc Hau Pagoda mobilized a number of Buddhist followers in Vinh, equipped with full protective gear, to ship gifts to each household. This method of gift delivery was quick, time-saving, limited contact, and prevented the spread of the disease.

Vinh Phuc Pagoda (Nam Dan district) provides fruits and vegetables to residents of Vinh City. Photo: Hoang Nam

The COVID-19 pandemic is developing complicatedly in our province, with cases appearing in many localities, significantly affecting all aspects of social life. With the spirit of "compassion and generosity, relieving suffering," many temples in the province have been and are continuing to call for contributions and share with the government and people in various localities through different means.

The materials collected through donations by the temples can be provided through the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels, or the temples can organize direct deliveries to localities, quarantine checkpoints, and households.

The charitable activities organized by temples to support the community during the pandemic have contributed to the community's collective efforts to fight the disease and stand alongside the homeland during this difficult time.