Provincial leaders congratulate Buddha's Birthday (Buddhist year 2557, solar year 2013)

(Baonghean.vn) -On May 18, at Dai Tue Pagoda, Nam Anh Commune, Nam Dan District, Nghe An Buddhist Sangha solemnly held the opening ceremony of Buddha's Birthday 2557 - Gregorian calendar 2013.

Attending the ceremony were comrade Thai Van Hang - Member of the Provincial Party Committee - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; representatives of provincial departments, branches and sectors; Nam Dan district; Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Deputy Head of the Executive Committee of Nghe An Buddhist Association; and a large number of monks and nuns in and outside the province.

The grand opening ceremony took place according to the Buddha's birthday ritual. It opened with special voluntary performances by Buddhists and organizations in the province, martial arts performances, flower offerings, processions, etc. Traditional Buddha's birthday rituals were solemnly performed at the grand ceremony, such as the Buddha chanting ritual to pray for blessings. In particular, the "Bathing Buddha" ceremony was respectfully performed with prayers for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather and abundant crops, health for everyone and happiness for every family.

The procession from the Ancient Pagoda to the grand altar



Delegates at the ceremony

At the ceremony, the delegates, monks, nuns and Buddhists listened to Venerable Thich Dieu Nhan - Deputy Head of the Executive Committee of Nghe An Buddhist Association, explain the meaning of the Buddha's birthday, calling on monks, nuns, Buddhists and people to always strive for the good humanistic values ​​of Buddhism; at the same time affirming the close companionship of patriotic Buddhism with the Vietnamese people on every historical journey.

Comrade Thai Van Hang spoke at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Comrade Thai Van Hang warmly praised the initial important contributions of the Venerable monks and nuns and all Buddhists in the province. In recent years, monks and nuns, Buddhists in Nghe An province have united with the people of all ethnic groups in the province to actively participate in campaigns and patriotic emulation movements, implementing the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws; organizing humanitarian and charitable activities, contributing to strengthening the great national unity bloc and implementing the province's socio-economic development tasks; affirming the close companionship of patriotic Buddhism with the Vietnamese people on every historical journey, contributing to promoting the revolutionary tradition and building the homeland.

Comrade Thai Van Hang suggested that the Venerables, Buddhist monks and nuns in the province need to study and learn to fully understand the teachings, precepts, regulations of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha as well as the state's legal policies on religion in order to organize activities that are truly effective and in accordance with state laws and policies. There must be true solidarity and high responsibility in the activities of the Executive Committee as well as each pagoda and each dharma hall.

On behalf of the leaders of Nghe An province, the Vice Chairman wished the Venerables, all Buddhists and delegates good health, peace and prosperity in building a good life and a good religion.

Comrade Thai Van Hang presented flowers to congratulate.

At the ceremony, Buddhists of Dai Tue Pagoda presented gifts to poor students overcoming difficulties in Nam Anh commune, Nam Dan district, worth 20 million VND. The Charity Association of Nghe An Buddhist Executive Committee supported Nghe An General Hospital to help poor patients with heart surgery with 140 million VND. They also supported Mai Phuong Thao in Nghi Phong commune, Nghi Loc and Tran Thi Thin in Vinh Tan - Vinh city, who are in especially difficult circumstances, with 15 million VND each.

Dai Tue Pagoda Charity Association supports heart surgery patients at
Nghe An General Hospital 140 million VND

This is an opportunity for monks, nuns, Buddhists and local people to pay respect to Buddha, remind themselves and their families to cultivate their personalities and do many good deeds. Buddha's Birthday is the most important ceremony of Buddhism, taking place from April 8 to April 15 of the lunar calendar every year to celebrate Buddha's birthday.

Sy Minh