Held by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in Mozambique in collaboration with local authorities, the event witnessed Buddhists and guests join in incense burning, Buddha bathing, bird release and praying for peace, happiness and prosperity.
The meaningful event aimed to meet the religious needs by the Vietnamese community in the Southeast African country, contributing to strengthening solidarity among overseas Vietnamese and continuing to bring Buddhism’s teachings and the image of the country and people of Vietnam to local friends.
Speaking at the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Dong Hue, President of the VBS in Mozambique, emphasised the good meaning of celebrating Buddha's Birthday (Vesak), calling on Vietnamese Buddhist followers to follow the Buddha's compassion, wisdom and pure virtue to live peacefully and harmoniously, as well as heading towards their homeland.
He also informed local Buddhists and guests about the United Nations Day of Vesak 2019, which was successfully hosted by Vietnam in mid-May, demonstrating the VBS’s efforts as well as the attention from the Government and the people of Vietnam, together with the UN and Buddhists worldwide, in joining hands to promote the core values of Buddhism in the spirit of tolerance, selflessness, altruism and harmony, contributing to solving global challenges.
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Most Venerable Thich Dong Hue conveys his message on Buddha's Birthday.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique Le Huy Hoang expressed his gratitude to the local authorities for supporting the VBS activities in Mozambique. The diplomat also highly praised the meaningful charitable activities carried out by the association there, while calling for Buddhist followers and the Vietnamese community in Mozambique to promote the tradition of solidarity and good living, successful integration into the local community and improving the image of the country and people of Vietnam in the heart of Mozambicans.
Conceita Sortane, Mozambique's Minister of Education and Human Development, praised the VBS and Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique in organising the ceremony with impressive activities featuring the humanity of Buddhism, affirming that the Mozambique government is ready to support the VBS’s activities and create favourable conditions for the association to promote exchanges with local religious organisations, thus tightening the friendly relations between the two peoples. The local authorities also highly appreciated the meaningful charitable activities held by the VBS for Mozambique people.
Following the gifting of donation to victims of Typhoon Idai last April, at yesterday’s ceremony the VBS also presented 1,000 schoolbags to local students and 500 gifts including necessities for disadvantaged households in Maputo.
The event further featured a Vietnamese culinary festival. The guests also joined in releasing birds and lighting candles to pray for peace and happiness, as well as participating in cultural and art performances.
Following are several pictures on the Vesak celebration by the Vietnamese community in Mozambique:
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Delegates releasing birds to pray for peace.
Most Venerable Thich Dong Hue presents a symbolic gift (schoolbag) to Mozambique's Minister of Education and Human Development, Conceita Sortane.
Maputo students presented with schoolbags from the Vietnamese community in Mozambique.
Local disadvantaged households presented with food gift bags at the event.
Vietnamese Buddhists in Mozambique perform Buddha bathing rituals at the event.
Delegates participate in the candle-lit ceremony to pray for peace and happiness.
Maputo people perform traditional Mozambique songs and dances at the event.
.jpg "Vietnamese community in Mozambique celebrates Buddha's Birthday ảnh 9")
Mozambique guests enjoy Vietnamese vegetarian dishes.
