The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council has sent a dispatch dated January 8, 2024 to its central functional bodies and institutes, executive committees in provinces and cities, and pagodas and monasteries on the organization of Lunar New Year (Tet) 2024 celebrations.
Accordingly, the VBS’s Executive Council asked VBS chapters, pagodas, and monasteries in localities to proactively launch fund-raising programs for implementing social charities, presenting supports to disadvantaged people and those who have contributed meritorious services to the country, as well as closely work with local authorities to support workers returning home for Tet.
Linh Son Hai Hoi pagoda presents 1,000 sets of supplies to poor locals in Ho Chi Minh City’s Go Vap district on Lunar New Year 2023
In organizing rituals to serve spiritual needs of people during the Lunar New Year, the dispatch asked for ensuring solemnity and frugality, and avoiding votive-papers, superstition and practices not suiting Buddhism as well as the nation's traditional customs and culture.
The central VBS also requested monks and nuns to enhance online Buddhist sermons, Dharma talks, instructions for meditation practices, and praying rituals for peace in order for gathering and serving spiritual needs of Buddhists in the country and Vietnamese overseas.
In addition, the VBS’s Executive Council asked pagodas and Buddhist monasteries to ensure food hygiene and safety, fire prevention and fighting, and promote tree planting in response to the movement “For a Green Vietnam” launched by the Government for a happy, safe, and peaceful Lunar New Year in the country.
NL
