Vietnamese Buddhists have made practical contributions to the country’s development, said HCM City Party Committee Secretary Le Thanh Hai.

HCM City Party Committee Secretary Le Thanh Hai (in blue) meets with some senior Buddhist dignitaries during the visit to the city-based 2nd Office of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on the Buddha’s 2553rd birth anniversary.

Speaking with his hosts at the city-based 2nd Office of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) central executive council and the executive committee of the HCM City Buddhist Sangha, Mr Hai also hailed Buddhists’ great contributions to the independence struggle.

Buddhist leaders have encouraged the faithful to assist the Government in overcoming difficulties and challenges, he said.

Their contributions have helped the country, especially the city, ward off an economic recession, he said.

He also appreciated the VBS’ social and charitable activities in the past few years to eliminate poverty and improve the life of people living in remote areas.

The Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, vice chairman of the executive council and head of the executive committee, appreciated the authorities for showing special interest in the Buddha’s birth anniversary this year.

He also spoke of his feelings after the celebrations of the UN Day of Vesak in Thailand this year. “At international Vesak forums, many countries highly value our Party and Government’s policy on religious beliefs and freedom following Vietnam’s success in organizing Vesak for the first time in 2008,” he said.

“Buddhists around the world have clearly realized that the path of ‘Buddha’s Teachings – Nation – Socialism’ adopted by the VBS for the past 30 years is correct,” he said.

VietNamNet/SGGP