HCM City (VNA) - A delegation of the Party, the State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang visited and extended greetings to Buddhist dignitaries and followers in Ho Chi Minh City on May 19 on the occasion of Lord Buddha’s 2568th birthday.

Visiting Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) at Hue Nghiem Pagoda, Quang wished all Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, and followers the best wishes, expressing his hope that they will enjoy a peaceful festival.

He acknowledged and highly valued VBS’s contributions to the community and the country in recent times, and showed his desire for Buddhists to continue to accompany the nation, actively engaging in social welfare and charitable activities, and joining hands with authorities and people nationwide to overcome difficulties in the national construction and development.

The Party and the State will create all conditions for the VBS to continue practicing its religion according to the motto " Buddhist Dharma – Nation – Socialism”, contributing to the nation’s development, he affirmed.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang said the VBS will continue to promote the traditional attachment to and companionship with the nation, proactively participating in patriotic emulation movements, implementing social security programmes, and caring for and helping poor people, thus contributing to creating social stability for development.

He called on all Vietnamese people to maintain "peace of mind" and stay united to overcome all difficulties, bringing peace and development to the country.

Meeting with Most Venerable Thich Thien Phap, Vice Standing President of the VBS Executive Council, in Quang Duc Zen Monastery, Quang affirmed that the Government is ready to support and create favourable conditions for the VBS to successfully organise the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 in HCM City.

On behalf of the Most Venerable, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of VBS Venerable Thich Thien Thong thanked the Party and State leaders for supporting the activities of the VBS, saying that it will continue encouraging followers to promote the good traditions of Buddhism, take part in social activities, and maintain its important role in bringing peace and happiness to themselves and their family, and prosperity to the country.

Visiting the Vietnam Pure Land Buddhist Home-Practice Association, Quang wished Supreme Patriarch Nguyen Ngoc Anh and all of its monks and followers good health, peace, and successful completion of all spiritual and worldly tasks set forth by the association.

He praised the contributions of the association and its chapters in recent years, especially in health care, medical examination and treatment for poor people, and in social security activities.

Supreme𝄹 Patriarch Anh affirmed that the association always accompanies the country and continues to strictly abide by the policies and laws of the Party and the State, thus contributing to the development of the society./.