Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem extended congratulations to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), Buddhist monks and nuns on the occasion of Lord Buddha’s 2,555th birthday at a ceremony held in Hanoi on May 17, or April 15 of the Lunar Year.

Since it was introduced into Vietnam more than 2,000 years ago, Buddhism has gone through ups and downs of the country’s history together with the nation as a whole, the Deputy PM said.

Over the last 30 years since its founding day, the VBS has encouraged Buddhist monks, nuns and followers to take a positive part in production and abide by State laws and contribute to the country’s renewal process and national construction, Khiem said, adding that the Party, State and people spoke highly of VBS’s contributions to the country.

The VBS’s trust and support to the country’s revolutionary cause and renewal process has made positive impacts on Buddhist monks, nuns and followers, Khiem said.

In his message to Buddhist monks, nuns and followers on the occasion of Lord Buddha’s birthday, Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, Patriarch of the VBS’s Patronage Council, called upon Buddhist monks and nuns to understand clearly the nature of Buddhism tenets and join hands with the community to protect the environment and the earth.

The same day, Lord Buddha’s birthday was celebrated in many provinces nationwide.

At a ceremony held at Ngoc Chuong monastery in Vi Thanh city, in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang , a representative of the provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Board read a message from the Patriarch of the VBS.

On the occasion, provincial leaders extended congratulations to provincial Buddhist monks, nuns and followers, calling upon their efforts to uphold the tradition of national and religious unity to make Hau Giang more civilised and wealthier.

A solemn celebration was held at Phap Lam pagoda in the central city of Da Nang .

The city’s Buddhist Sangha has implemented various charitable activities to help disadvantaged people. Since the beginning of the year, pagodas in the city have collected nearly 3.8 billion VND for charity.

On the occasion, the Executive Board of Thua Thien-Hue provincial Buddhist Sangha will organise a street march of 51 carriages decorated with flowers and release flower garlands on the Huong (Perfume) river on the night of May 17.

The celebration was also held in the Red River Delta province of Thai Binh and Mekong Delta province of An Giang./.