The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Chapter in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province held on April 11 a briefing on planning for the Buddha’s Birthday Festival (Vesak Day) and summer retreat in 2018 (B.E. 2562) in the province.
Attending the meeting taking place in Dai Tong Lam Pagoda located in the province’s Tan Thanh district included dignitaries of the VBS executive committee in the province and the VBS’s executive board in the province’s districts, and representatives of local authorities.
According to the organization plan, Vesak Day will be celebrated by the district-level VBS on May 27-28 and by the provincial VBS on May 28-29. During the festival, in addition to sermons on the meaning of one of most important Buddhist events, practical contributions of Buddhism to social development in the locality will be highlighted, and 100 scholarships (worth VND 100 million in total) and 500 gift sets (valued at VND 150 million will be presented to disadvantaged pupils and the poor in the locality.
The Buddhist summer retreat in the province this year will take place from the 16th of the fourth lunar month to the 16th of the seventh lunar month for Mahayana Buddhism and Mendicant Buddhist sect, and from the 15th of the sixth lunar month to the 15th of the ninth lunar month. During the retreat, the new law on belief and religion will also be introduced to participating monks and nuns.
In addition, the briefing meeting also announced a grand Buddhist ordain conference to be held from November 14-18 in Dai Tong Lam pagoda and Thich Ca Phat Dai Pagoda located in Vung Tau City.
PTT
