The Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) coordinated with the Embassy of Vietnam in Mozambique to celebrate the Lord Buddha’s 2563rd birth anniversary in Maputo on May 29.

The event drew dignitaries from over 20 religious organisations in Mozambique, along with more than 200 Vietnamese Buddhist followers, business representatives, and people living and working in Maputo.

Venerable Thich Dong Hue delivered the message of VBS Supreme Patriarch Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue at the UN Day of Vesak 2019 recently held in Vietnam, affirming the core values of peace and wisdom in the Buddha’s teachings.

The event also illustrates the efforts of the VBS and the attention of the Vietnamese Government and people to join hands with the UN and global Buddhist associations to promote these values, Hue said.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique Le Huy Hoang hoped that overseas Vietnamese Buddhist followers would continue to promote solidarity and make further contributions to uphold the image of Vietnamese land and people to Mozambique friends.

Minister of Education and Human Development Conceita Sortane affirmed that the Mozambican government is willing to support the VBS’ activities and enable its exchange with local religious organisations.

Participants joined a number of activities, including an incense offering ceremony, Buddha bathing ceremony, the release of birds, and a candle-lighting ceremony to pray for peace and development in the world.

They also enjoyed some art performances in Vietnamese and Portuguese and tasted Vietnamese vegetarian food.

On the occasion, the VBS presented 1,000 school bags to students and 500 gift packages to poor households in Maputo.

Upon addressing the ceremony, Le Huy Hoang, Vietnam’s ambassador to Mozambique, was highly appreciative of the charity activities done by Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers from the Vietnamese community in the country. He expressed his hope that they will continue their efforts to strengthen solidarity and help to promote a positive image of Vietnamese people in the country.

Delegates release a flock of birds to symbolise global peace at the ceremony.

Most Venerable Thich Dong Hue reads a message which comes from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Supreme Patriarch.

Conceita Sortane, Mozambique’s Minister of Education and Human Development, notes that Mozambique’s government is willing to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to hold charitable activities which can contribute to building friendlier relations between the two countries.

During the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Dong Hue gave gifts on behalf of the Vietnamese community. Included were 1,000 school bags and 500 bags of essential goods to the poor people of Maputo.

Delegates light candles to pray for world peace.

VOV/VNN/VNA

Vietnamese in Laos celebrate the Buddha’s 2563rd birthday

A ceremony was held at Bang Long Pagoda in Vientiane, Laos, on May 21 to mark the Buddha’s 2563rd birthday, with the participation of hundreds of Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers from the Vietnamese community in the country.  

Thousands of pilgrims attend Buddha bathing ritual

Large numbers of worshippers took part in the Buddha bathing ritual to pray for global peace at the UN Day of Vesak 2019 celebrations which transpired in northern Ha Nam province on May 12.

Tran Nhan Tong, the King and the Buddha of the Vietnamese

The UN Day of Vesak Celebrations has become an opportunity to rejoice Buddha's birth in Vietnam, where Buddhist followers number in the millions.  

International and Vietnamese artists celebrate Buddha’s birthday

The 16th United Nations Days of Vesak (UNDV) will be held at the Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre, Kim Bang District, in the northern province of Ha Nam from May 12-14.