A delegation from the Central Highlands Steering Committee on April 23 visited the Buddhist Sanghas of Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces on the occasion of the Lord Buddha’s 2558th birthday.

Lu Ngoc Cu from the committee confirms that the Party and Government always take care of and carry out policies promoting religious freedom.

He hailed the great contributions by Buddhist monks, nuns and followers to the cause of national construction and defence, adding that he hopes they will continue to advance with the nation on the road to build a wealthy and happy country.

Most Venerable Thich Tam Tuong, President of the Gia Lai Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council, said local Buddhist clergy and followers raise an average of 2 billion VND each year for charity activities to support poor people.

In Kon Tum, Most Venerable Thich Quang Hanh, head of the Dharma committee of the provincial Buddhist Sangha said the province has granted 20ha of land to build a pagoda in Mang Den, Kon Plong district.

The province is now home to 25 pagoda worshipping Buddha.

Buddhism has accompanied Vietnam for over 2,000 years. Vietnam has more than 12 million Buddhist followers, over 40 thousands of monks and nuns and almost 15,000 temples, monasteries or places to worship Buddhist.-VNA