(VNF) - Leaders of the State, the National Assembly and the Vietnam Fatherland Front recently visited and extended congratulation to various Buddhist dignitaries and followers on occasion of the Buddha’s 2562^nd birthday.

President of VFF Central Committee, Tran Thanh Man, congratulates Buddhist dignitaries in Soc Trang province (source: CAND)

On May 26, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh visited and sent congratulations on Lord Buddha’s birthday to Buddhists at Lam Son, Thien Minh and Bao Quoc pagodas in the central province of Thua Thien - Hue.

On the same day, President of VFF Central Committee, Tran Thanh Man, visited and extended warm wishes to Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the VBS’s Patronage Council, at Thuong Chieu Monastery in Phuoc Thai commune of Long Thanh district, Dong Nai province.

On May 27, Man visited Buddhists in the southern provinces of Soc Trang and Dong Nai on the occasion.

On the same day, a delegation led by Vice President of the VFF Central Committee Ngo Sach Thuc visited and extended greetings to Buddhist dignitaries and followers in HCM City.

The delegation also visited Most Venerable Thich Giac Toan, Vice President of the VBS’s Executive Council, who represents the Khat si Viet Nam (Mendicant Buddhist) Sect; Most Venerable Thich Thien Tam, Vice President of the VBS’s Executive Council and head of the Kinh Nam Tong Sect, and Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Vice Supreme Patriarch of the VBS's Patronage Council and head of the Executive Council of the VBS’s HCM City chapter.

On May 27, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, visited and extended congratulations to Buddhist establishments in Ho Chi Minh City.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (5th, from left) met with Buddhist dignitaries (source: NDO)

Over nearly two millennia, the Buddhist community in Vietnam has continually been standing by the country and become an integral part of the nation’s history. They have been playing a significant role in encouraging Buddhists nationwide to have good faith, adhere to the State’s law, fulfill citizens’ obligations, actively take part in charitable work, and contribute to poverty reduction.

Meanwhile, the Party and State of Vietnam always respect and ensure people’s right to freedom of belief and religion, care for the socio-economic development of religious communities, and create favourable conditions for followers and dignitaries of different religious, including Buddhism, to practice their religions authentically and fulfill the duties of a citizen./.

( VNF )