(VOVWORLD) - Thousands of Buddhist dignitaries and followers attended a ceremony held by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in Ho Chi Minh city on Sunday to celebrate Lord Buddha’s 2563rd birth anniversary.
 Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh visits the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in HCM city as Vietnam celebrates Lord Buddha’s 2563rd birthday. |
For this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh visited and extended his congratulations to the VBS in the city. He said over the past two millennia, Buddhism has closely associated with the development of the Vietnamese nation and advocated the spirit of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. Mr. Binh congratulated the VBS on the success of the recent UN Vesak Day 2019 celebration in Vietnam, which, he said, demonstrated the support of the Party, State, and local authorities to Buddhist activities.
“I’m delighted to see the development of Buddhism with an increasing number of followers who well lead their both religious and secular lives. I would like to send my congratulations to the VBS and Buddhist dignitaries and followers,” said Mr. Binh.
 Buddhists gather at Viet Nam Quoc Tu pagoda in HCM city on May 19, 2019, to mark Lord Buddha’s 2563rd birthday. (Photo: vnexpress.net) |
A similar celebration was held in Bai Dinh pagoda in Ninh Binh province. This year’s Buddha’s birthday celebration is themed “Buddhism's Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies”, highlighting the need of solidarity, integration, and sharing.