The Dong Nai Executive Board of Buddhist Sangha honors Buddha’s 2550 birthday

the dignitaries of the Dong Nai Executive Board of Buddhist Sangha in the ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Le Minh Son, Head of the provincial Committee for Religion and People, highly appreciated the contribution of Buddhist clergymen and followers to the socioeconomic development of the province and particularly to charity activities in the province. On this occasion, Dong Nai Party Committee, People’s Council and People’s Committee and Fatherland Front called on Buddhist dignitaries and followers in the province to keep on upholding the tradition of Dharma-Nation-Socialism and contribute to national solidarity for a wealthy people, powerful nation, and fair, democratic and civilized society. They also expressed their belief that Buddhist community would together with people in the province actively participate in emulation movement for patriotism and the campaign for cultural life in residential area so that to contribute to the achievements of socioeconomic target in 2006.

Early in the day, the dignitaries of the Dong Nai Executive Board of Buddhist Sangha and Buddhist followers visited the provincial revolutionary martyr cemetery and organized parade with decorated vehicles to march along main streets of district centers, Long Khanh town and Bien Hoa City. A large number of Buddhist leaders and followers participated in a parade with decorated vehicles headed for Tran Bien Temple of Literature on May 11th. This is the first time since 1975 such a parade has been held in the province. The parade with 15 decorated vehicles attracted a large number of people gathering on the side of the itinerary. The vehicles come from provincial Buddhist committee, Bien Hoa Buddhist committee, Dong Nai Buddhist School, Pagodas and Monastery in the area. With such banners as welcoming the success of 10th Party Congress following a unique flag unity makes strength, the parade stops at Tran Bien Temple of Literature two hours after it started in central Bien Hoa. The Buddhist leaders and followers offered incense in the temple in memory of our forefathers with merits in the foundation and protection of the country and the heroes who sacrifice themselves for the unification of the country.

Charity activities in the province 

Buddhist cleric and followers in Nhon Trach District raised over 330 million VND in order to help poor families and Agent Orange victims by presenting gifts, wheelchair and offering scholarships to poor students. Particularly, the Phap Thuong Pagoda in Phu Dong commune had contributed 174 million VND to the charity fund and Phuoc Hung in Phuoc Thien commune donated 54 million VND.

On this occasion, a delegation of Buddhist cleric from Phnom Penh City, Cambodia visited Phuoc Hue pagoda in Thong Nhat ward Bien Hoa city and offered a statue of Gautama Buddha.

On May 12, Buddhist cleric from Khanh Lam pagoda in Bau Ham 2 commune, Thong Nhat district, donated 2 million VND to The Blind Association of Long Khanh town and offered 260 gifts with total amount of 16 million VND consisting of rice and instant noodle to disabled people in Thong Nhat district.

(Translated by THKC)