It is uncommon for Buddhist monks to celebrate Christmas, but the rare moments were captured at churches in the northern Vietnamese provinces of Ha Nam and Quang Ninh this year's celebration.
Venerable Thích Thanh Quyết, deputy president of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, marked this Christmas by paying visits to five parishes in Ha Nam and Quang Ninh Provinces and extended his best wishes to the vicars and parishioners there on Tuesday.
Quyết, along with other Buddhist dignitaries from the Sangha, received a warm welcome from those at the five churches, namely Phu Ly, So Kien, and An Phu in Ha Nam, and Dong Khe and Mao Khe in Quang Ninh.
Visiting local parishes has been a regular activity of the Buddhist venerable during Christmas over the past years.
Venerable Thích Thanh Quyết pays his respects at a Catholic altar on December 24, 2019. Photo: Anh Dung / Tuoi Tre
As Ha Nam is also Quyet’s hometown, he and local parishioners share an even more special connection.
According to Father Giuse Maria Vũ Thanh Cảnh, pastor of Phu Ly Church, the attention and support of the whole society as well as the Buddhist Sangha have made Christmas more tranquil and special.
“All religions are the same. Catholics or Buddhists, we are all Vietnamese people,” the father said.
“We are very happy to receive the best wishes from the Buddhist Sangha this holiday.”
Source: tuoitrenews.vn
