HCMC Party chief extends Buddha birthday greetings

Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen paid a visit to several Buddhist temples in the city on May 18 to extend his greetings to monks and nuns on the occasion of the upcoming birth anniversary of the Buddha.

HCMC Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen and Buddhist monks at the Quang Duc Monastery (Photo: SGGP)
HCMC Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen and Buddhist monks at the Quang Duc Monastery (Photo: SGGP)

Nen met with the Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang at the Hue Nghiem Temple and visited the Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon at the Quang Duc Zen Monastery.
In his addresses, the HCMC Party chief wished Buddhist monks, nuns and laypeople in the city joy and happiness during their celebrations of the Buddha’s birth.

On behalf of the HCMC leadership, Nen expressed his gratitude for the contributions of Buddhists to the city’s development, especially their efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and help those affected by the epidemic.

He thanked the two senior monks and the municipal Buddhist sangha for sending a letter calling on their followers to actively participate in the upcoming National Assembly and People’s Council elections.

Nen also expressed his hope that Buddhist monks, nuns and laypeople would continue making contributions to the city’s development so that it can become a modern and smart city.

For their part, the Most Venerables Thich Thien Nhon and Thich Tri Quang highlighted the meaning of the Buddha’s birth, an important festival for both Vietnamese Buddhists as well as Buddhists around the world.

They affirmed that building on the fine traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism, Buddhist monks, nuns and laypeople in HCMC and Vietnam in general will always support the Party and State in the cause of national development.

The two senior Buddhist leaders stated the sangha will encourage all Buddhists to uphold the responsibilities of a citizen and actively go to the polls in the upcoming general elections.