Provincial leaders congratulate the Executive Committee of Nghe An Buddhist Sangha, attending the 2023 Buddha's Birthday Festival

Delegates from the Central Government and Nghe An province attend the 2023 Buddha's Birthday Festival. Photo: Pham Bang

Art program to welcome the grand ceremony. Photo: Pham Bang

At the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province read the Buddha's Birthday Message 2023 - Buddhist calendar 2567 of the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang.

The message clearly states: This is an opportunity for all of us to review the history of Buddha Shakyamuni, an opportunity for everyone to contemplate and live according to his true and timeless teachings. Those teachings suggest solutions to build world peace, true happiness for people and sustainable development for society.

Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province reads the Buddha's Birthday Message 2023 - Buddhist calendar 2567. Photo: Pham Bang

In the context of humanity having just experienced the Covid-19 pandemic and wars, conflicts are still complicated here and there in the world; following the vow of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, all of us monks, nuns, and Buddhists should devote ourselves more to the path of practicing Bodhisattva conduct as taught by the Buddha in the Sutra of Questions of Brahma: "A Bodhisattva is someone who can endure suffering on behalf of all living beings, sacrificing his own happiness for the happiness of all living beings."

Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang called on monks, nuns, and Buddhists of all walks of life to make more efforts to do good deeds, actively contribute to building the country, creating peace within ourselves to form a lotus platform to offer to the Buddha during this year's Buddha's birthday.

Venerable Thich Dieu Nhan - Member of the Board of Trustees, Deputy Head of the Provincial Buddhist Board presented a speech at the ceremony. Photo: Pham Bang

Delivering her speech, Venerable Thich Dieu Nhan - Member of the Board of Trustees, Deputy Head of the Provincial Buddhist Board emphasized that the Buddha's birthday season - Buddhist calendar 2567 is taking place jubilantly all over the country, from pagodas in remote villages to cities, remote islands of the Fatherland to pray for national peace and prosperity, the development of the golden religion and integration with the flow of the Vietnamese people forever lasting, forever sustainable.

On this occasion, I hope that all monks, nuns, laypeople, and Buddhists in the province will diligently study and practice, make efforts to observe the precepts to solemnize the Sangha. Buddhist monks and nuns in Nghe An strive to fulfill their mission of propagating the Dharma, bringing the Buddha's teachings deeply into human life, and unite and harmoniously carry out successfully the programs and goals set forth by the 3rd Provincial Buddhist Congress, for the benefit of the homeland, the country, and the cause of serving humanity.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee spoke at the ceremony. Photo: Pham Bang

Speaking at the congratulatory ceremony and presenting a flower basket to the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the province, comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that the Buddha's Birthday is a great cultural and spiritual festival of Buddhism, an opportunity for Buddhist followers and people who love Buddhism to turn their hearts and live according to the Buddha's teachings.

Through the great ceremony, Buddhists live to promote knowledge - morality, compassion, noble humanity; live "benefiting religion - benefiting life", "giving joy - saving suffering", contributing to bringing peace, happiness, and harmony to everyone.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh presented flowers to congratulate the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province. Photo: Pham Bang

The provincial delegation presented flowers to congratulate the Provincial Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on the occasion of the 2023 Buddha's Birthday. Photo: Pham Bang

Comrade Vu Chien Thang - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs presented flowers to congratulate the Provincial Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on the occasion of the 2023 Buddha's Birthday. Photo: Pham Bang

In recent times, the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province has achieved many encouraging achievements; many pagodas have been renovated and built spaciously, the material facilities have initially met the needs and aspirations of Buddhist followers. The monks, nuns and Buddhists of the province have actively participated in patriotic emulation movements, contributing to the great unity of the whole nation.

The Provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee has closely worked with the Party Committees and authorities of Nghe An province in socio-economic development activities, ensuring national defense and security, and social security. The activities of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha are in accordance with the motto: "Dharma - Nation - Socialism", in accordance with the spirit of "Protecting the nation and bringing peace to the people".

Comrade Truong Hoa Binh - former Deputy Prime Minister of the Government presented 100 gifts with a total value of 100 million VND to poor households and those in difficult circumstances in Nam Anh commune, Nam Dan district. Photo: Pham Bang

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Comrade Vu Chien Thang - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs presented gifts to poor and disadvantaged households. Photo: Pham Bang

On behalf of the provincial leaders, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung respectfully acknowledged and thanked the contributions of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee in particular and Buddhists in the province in the past time.

In the coming time, we hope to continue to promote the achievements we have made; make more efforts, and continue to demonstrate our role and prestige in strengthening the building of great national unity, unity of religions, actively contributing to the construction of our homeland, soon making Nghe An a fairly prosperous province as desired by President Ho Chi Minh.

Comrade Truong Hoa Binh - former Politburo member, former Permanent Deputy Prime Minister of the Government performs the Buddha bathing ritual. Photo: Pham Bang

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee performed the Buddha bathing ritual. Photo: Pham Bang

On this occasion, comrade Truong Hoa Binh - former Politburo member, former Permanent Deputy Prime Minister presented 100 gifts with a total value of 100 million VND to poor households and those in difficult circumstances in Nam Anh commune, Nam Dan district.

The Labor Newspaper presented 10 gifts worth 10 million VND in total to 10 poor households in difficult circumstances in Nam Anh commune.

Delegates attend the installation ceremony of the 5m high Buddha statue, weighing more than 25 tons. Photo: Pham Bang

The Buddha statue is 5m high and weighs more than 25 tons. Photo: Pham Bang

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