During his visit to the Da Nang Buddhist Sangha on 20 May, municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri extended his best wishes to local Buddhist dignitaries and followers on the occasion of Buddha's 2560^th birthday.

Deputy Secretary Tri spoke highly of the great efforts made by the city’s Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, and followers for the city’s progress, and especially of their active involvement in local charitable activities and social welfare programmes.

Mr Tri also took the opportunity to appeal to the local Buddhist followers to continue their efforts with other local residents to make Da Nang a more modern, civilised, beautiful and peaceful city.  In addition, he asked the Buddhist Sangha to appeal to all over-18-year-old Buddhist followers across the city to participate in the elections for the 14^th National Assembly and all-level People's Councils of the 2016 - 2021 tenure on 22 May.

Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri presenting a gift to a representative from the city’s Buddhist Sangha (Photo: phatgiaodanang.vn)

The Head of the Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nguyen, thanked the local authorities for their support for the practice of their faith over past years, and he affirmed that the Buddhist community would exert even more efforts for the city’s growth.

On 21 May, a traditional Buddhist ritual to mark the 2560^th birthday of Buddha took place at the city’s Phap Lam Pagoda.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the local Fatherland Front Committee Nguyen Manh Hung, People’s Committee (PC) Chairman Huynh Duc Tho, PC Vice Chairman Dang Viet Dung, along with leaders from local relevant agencies, and a thousand local Buddhist followers.

The traditional Buddhist ritual at the Phap Lam Pagoda (Photo: phatgiaodanang.vn)

At the event, a representative from the city’s Buddhist Sangha read a message from the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Supreme Patriarch, Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue.

In his message, Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue affirmed that the Vietnamese Buddhist community has joined efforts with the whole of society to promote the fine traditions of the nation over thousands of years.  In addition, he took the opportunity to ask VBS to continue its great efforts to protect the environment and cope with climate changes, which in turn will help to create a more peaceful world and bring more happiness to all sentient beings.

Chairman Nguyen Manh Hung praised the local Buddhist Sangha for its active involvement in local social and charitable activities over recent years, including the patriotic emulation movements and campaigns launched by the municipal Fatherland Front Committee.