State President Nguyen Minh Triet on May 15 attended a ceremony to celebrate the 2555th birthday of Lord Buddha at Bai Dinh pagoda in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

President Triet sent his best wishes to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and Buddhist followers nationwide on the occasion.

He said he hoped the VBS will always come along with the nation, and encourage Buddhist followers to join hands with people of all walks of life in realising national industrialisation and modernisation.

The State President called on Buddhist followers and people nationwide to make more achievements in celebration of Lord Buddha’s birthday, President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, and the upcoming elections for the 13th National Assembly and People's Council at all levels.

At the ceremony, the VBS representative reviewed history of Buddhism in Vietnam and quoted Buddha’s teachings, which called on Buddhist followers to well serve both religion and nation.

Buddhism had accompanied the Vietnamese nation through different stages of history over the past 2,000 years and made worthy contributions to the country’s construction, development and defence cause.

The VBS representative expressed thanks to the Party and State’s care for the VBS and Buddhist followers, praising policies on social welfare and freedom of religion and belief for having won people’s trust in the leadership of the Party.

President Triet joined Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, followers and local people in ceremonial activities at the pagoda, including the incense offering and the release of pigeons to pray for peace, good weather, bumper harvest, good health and happiness./.