Buddhists in Nghe An stand with the nation.

The Buddhist activities program of Nghe An province in the past period has been highly appreciated by the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. Under the direction of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Board, more than 50,000 Buddhists participating in temples, congregations, and Buddhist associations have accompanied the nation in building and developing their homeland.

To date, Nghe An province has 50 Buddhist places of worship legally recognized by the local government, including 9 temples that are historical and cultural relics, 53 monks and nuns serving the religion, 4 PhDs, 4 Master's degree holders, 10 Bachelor's degree holders, and 8 Intermediate degree holders.

The ancient Am Dien Minh Pagoda (Dien Chau district) has been restored to meet the cultural and spiritual needs of the people and Buddhist followers inside and outside the province. Photo: Internet

In recent years, Nghe An province has restored 37 Buddhist temples, and the Executive Board has decided to appoint abbots to 17 of them, bringing the total number of temples with resident monks to 27. The Buddhist activities program of Nghe An province in the past period has been highly appreciated by the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

Live a good and virtuous life.

It can be affirmed that throughout the history of our homeland, monks, nuns, and abbots of temples have actively carried out the work of propagating the true Dharma, strictly adhering to the policies and laws of the State and the Charter of the Buddhist Church.

Everywhere and at all times, Buddhists actively participate in the summer retreat to cultivate morality, concentration, and wisdom, and to restrain their minds and bodies. Many monks and nuns have been trusted and elected as representatives to the Provincial and District People's Councils, and actively participate in the activities of the Fatherland Front and the Red Cross Society.

A view of the Second Congress of Buddhist Delegates of Nghe An Province, term 2017-2022.

According to the local Buddhist management boards, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers have actively responded to programs such as contributing to the fund for the poor, the scholarship fund, the gratitude fund, and the national target program on "Building New Rural Areas." All Buddhist activities are well-directed, so temples proactively organize ceremonies ensuring solemnity, reverence, safety, economy, and compliance with regulations.

In particular, traditional festivals such as the "Fragrance of Lotus in Nghe An" Buddhist Culture Festival, the Gam Temple and Pagoda Festival, and the Spring Calligraphy Festival are organized solemnly. These contribute to promoting the historical and cultural values ​​of the site, attracting a large number of devotees and people to participate in cultural activities, folk games, sightseeing, and learning about Buddhist teachings.

In recent times, in order to provide monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers with places for religious practice and study, to meet the community's cultural needs, and to organize traditional festivals, many temples have undergone renovation and reconstruction.

Religious structures are built with solemnity, creating spacious grounds and preserving the traditional culture of Vietnamese Buddhism and Nghe An Buddhism, with funding of tens of billions of VND, such as: Lam Son Pagoda, Dong Yen Pagoda (Quynh Luu), Dai Tue Pagoda, Vien Quang Pagoda (Nam Dan), Can Linh Pagoda (Vinh City), Co Am Pagoda (Dien Chau), Chi Linh Pagoda (Yen Thanh),...

Comrade Le Xuan Dai - Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - delivered a congratulatory speech and presented a banner with the inscription "The Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An Province: Unity, harmony, devotion to religion and patriotism, walking hand in hand with the nation." Photo: Internet

Upholding the compassionate spirit of Buddhism and the tradition of "protecting the nation and ensuring the well-being of the people, accompanying the nation," over the years, the Executive Board of the Nghe An Buddhist Association and its temples have mobilized philanthropists, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to actively support and participate in charitable activities, raising over 25 billion VND from 2011 to the present. This has contributed to bringing the image of Buddhism in Nghe An into the hearts of the people in a friendly way, with profound humanistic values.

It can be affirmed that for hundreds of years, Buddhism in Nghe An has always promoted the spirit of compassion, calling on monks, nuns, and Buddhists to actively participate in social charity work. Besides providing relief to people affected by natural disasters and poverty, Buddhists have joined hands in building welfare projects, houses of compassion, social health insurance, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, promoting safe traffic practices, and focusing on education and healthcare by constructing medical facilities and preschools.

Walking alongside the nation

Last year, the Executive Board of the Nghe An Buddhist Association for the 2017-2022 term, elected by the Second Provincial Buddhist Congress, consisted of 25 members and a Standing Committee of 15 members. Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu was re-elected as the Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Nghe An province for this term. It can be said that over the past seven years, the work of building the Buddhist system in Nghe An has been organized systematically, in accordance with regulations, and has developed both in quality and quantity.

Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu was re-elected as Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of the province for the term 2017-2022. Photo: Internet

Highly appreciating the activities of the Nghe An Buddhist Association, at the 2nd Provincial Buddhist Congress, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Comrade Le Xuan Dai, on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Council, Provincial People's Committee, and Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, presented a banner with the inscription "The Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An Province: Unity, harmony, devotion to religion and patriotism, accompanying the nation." The provincial government hopes that the Executive Board will continue to mobilize monks, nuns, and Buddhists to actively participate in patriotic emulation movements and build national unity.

Buddhist monks and nuns offer incense before the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in the square named after him. Photo: Internet

What particularly touched the Buddhists was the support and desire of the Nghe An Provincial government for the Executive Board to soon complete the procedures and begin construction of the Provincial Buddhist Association's headquarters and related facilities. Along with strengthening the Buddhist organization, the construction of modern facilities will contribute to promoting the development of Buddhist activities in the future.