A ceremony to celebrate Lord Buddha’s 2556th birthday was held at the Truc Lam pagoda in Villebon-sur-Yvette on the outskirts of Paris on May 5.

Addressing the event, the Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Duong, Head of the Truc Lam Pagoda, highlighted the significance of the event and Buddhist followers’ contributions.

The Most Venerable spoke on Buddhist philosophy, calling on followers to uphold the national great unity and actively involve in social and humanitarian activities.

The participants, including Vietnamese Ambassador to France Duong Chi Dung, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to UNESCO Ambassador Duong Van Quang and the vice mayors of Villebon-sur-Yvette, prayed for peace and happiness for mankind.-VNA