Buddha’s birthday anniversary this year: Enlightening the world with light of compassion and wisdom
According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the Buddha’s birthday serves as a chance to recall his noble life and teachings full of compassion and wisdom. It is a practical measure to soothe pain and suffering.
Participants perform Buddha bathing ritual. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on May 22, or the 15th of the lunar Apri🥃l, held a grand ceremony at the office of its Central🌜 Committee at Quan Su pagoda in Hanoi to mark the 2,568th birthday of Buddha.
Prominent among the participants were Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, former Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan, and leading officials of the Party Central Committee’s Commission of Mass Mobilisation, the Ministry of the Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, along with representatives of foreign embassies in Hanoi.
Reading out the message on the occasion by the President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon said the ceremony this year is a chance for everyone to recall Buddha’s noble life and the selfless teachings full of compassion, love and wisdom. Those are not only a source of comfort but also the presentation of practical ways to soothe personal pain and suffering, thus creating an environment of peace for all, he stressed.
Delegates, officials and Buddhist followers at the ceremony. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
On behalf of the permanent committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the President also called on monks, nuns, and followers to pray for an end to wars and hatred, to spread love to all people, and to enlighten the world with the light of compassion and wisdom.
In his speech, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, sent greetings of peace to all the Vietnamese monks, nuns, and followers, both inside and outside the country.
Buddhist followers conduct a prayer. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
According to him, the anniversary of Buddha’s birthday this year coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May7, 1954 – May 7, 1924) which was vibrantly celebrated all over the country.
Looking back at that historical stage, Vietnamese Buddhism is proud of its contributions to the resounding victory of the nation, helping create the Vietnamese mettle and wisdom with generations of monks joining the struggle in 1947.
Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu also reminded monks and nuns to uphold their sense of responsibility, keep the discipline, and complete their missions. Monks and nuns at pagodas and practicing establishments should renovate their ways of guiding followers to make them suitable to every social stratum, helping provide a good care to their spiritual health.
An overview of the ceremony at Quan Su pagoda. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Touching upon the significance of the anniversary, Most Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said this year bears the hallmark of intensive development and international integration of Buddhism along with the nation.
The Most Venerable asked that every follower strive to join hands with the Sangha in encouraging and practicing good deeds, successfully applying Buddha’s teachings to their daily life, spreading the message of peace, and contributing to the building of a state of prosperity, a world of peace, and people enjoying harmony./.
The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) held a grand ceremony in Hanoi on May 22, the 15th day of the fourth lunar month, to mark the Lord Buddha’s birthday (Vesak Day).
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended congratulations to Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers on Lord Buddha’s birthday (Vesak Day) while visiting Quan Su Pagoda, the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), in Hanoi on May 22.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
