Buddhists celebrate Lord Buddha’s birthday in Hanoi

Over the past two years, the annual ritual has been held on a small scale or through an online form due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Following the government’s recent decision to ease COVID-19 measures, socio-economic and cultural activities, including religious rituals, have returned to normal.

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A grand ceremony to commemorate the birth of Lord Buddha is solemnly held at Quan Su pagoda – the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

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Hundreds of Buddhists coming from different localities attend the ritual.

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Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, standing vice chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha delivers a message of Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, acting supreme patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

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Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang calls on Buddhist monks and nuns to uphold their responsibilities to fulfill duties, make unceasing efforts to build a strong Buddhist Sangha, promote the great national unity bloc, and actively contribute to national development and defense.

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Ngo Sach Thuc, vice president of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, extends greetings of the Vietnam Fatherland Front to Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers on Lord Buddha’s birthday.

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Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers offer incense to Lord Buddha, chant Buddhist scriptures, and take part in the traditional Buddha bathing ritual.

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Participating delegates reverently read Buddhist scriptures

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This year’s ritual is observed at a time when Vietnamese people are celebrating the 132nd birth anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will also hold it ninth congress in November 2022.