Attending the event were Most Venerable Deputy Patriarch of the VBS Thích Thanh Dũng and Most Venerable Thích Thanh Đàm, Most Venerable Vice President of the central VBS Executive Council Thích Thanh Nhiễu, and large numbers of Buddhist dignitaries and followers.

Distinguished guests at the ceremony also included President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Trần Thanh Mẫn, Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng, and representatives from Embassies of China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

At the ceremony, Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu read the Vesak message of VBS Supreme Patriarch Most Venerable Thích Phổ Tuệ to Vietnam’s Buddhist dignitaries and followers in the country and aboard, which highlighted achievements by the VBS over the past years. In the message, the Supreme Patriarch called on Vietnamese Buddhists to make unceasing efforts to help Buddhism continue playing an important role for strengthening the great national unity bloc and promoting national development and defense.

Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình speaks at the ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình said the Buddha’s Birthday is not only a major religious event in the spiritual life of Buddhists in Vietnam but also a global cultural festival. He expressed hope that Buddhist dignitaries would continue encouraging followers to promote values and traditions of Vietnam Buddhism, fulfill civic duties and promote social harmony in the country.

During the ceremony, participating delegates performed the Buddha bathing ritual as well as released balloon and pigeons to pray for peace in Vietnam and the world

Deputy PM Trương Hòa Bình presents congratulatory flowers to the VBS

Delegates performs Buddha bathing ritual

Performing balloons and pigeons released

PH