Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) held a grand ceremony in Hanoi on May 22, the 15th day of the fourth lunar month, to mark the Lord Buddha’s birthday (Vesak Day).
Reading a message from the Supreme Patriarch of the VBS, Deputy Patriarch and Chairman of the VBS Executive Council Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon highlighted the significance of the Vesak Day, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Lord Buddha.
He stressed the need for all Buddhist followers to practise the teachings of the Buddha amid the sufferings caused by natural disasters, epidemics, wars, and conflicts in the world nowadays.
On behalf of the Standing Committee of the VBS's Patronage Council, the Supreme Patriarch also called upon Buddhist monks, nuns, dignitaries, and followers to pray for war to end, hatred to disappear, and love to spread, the message read.
Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the VBS's Executive Council, noted that Buddhists should uphold responsibility and fulfill their duties.
Monks and nuns at pagodas and monasteries should renew their ways of guiding followers from all social strata while contributing to mental health care through the organisation of summer classes for Buddhist youngsters, helping them become good children and students and make progress in learning, he said.
He also highlighted the need to educate the young on patriotism and pride of the Vietnamese people's heroic traditions, promote the great national solidarity, and join hands to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam.
At the ceremony, VBS dignitaries, representatives of ministries and organisations, and Buddhist followers performed the traditional rituals of offering incense and bathing the Buddha./.
