Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extends Party and State greetings to dignitaries of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, as well as Buddhist monks, nuns at the commemoration of Lord Buddha's 2568th birth anniversary (Photo: VOV)

He extended Party and State greetings to dignitaries of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, as well as Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers in Vietnam and abroad.

The PM highlighted Buddhist values, saying over thousands of years of history, Buddhism has taken root and integrated into Vietnamese society, becoming an element of the noble traditional culture of the Vietnamese people.

For nearly eight decades, he said, Buddhism has been a positive influence and a great contributor to Vietnam’s past struggles for national independence and unification and present cause of national construction, defense, and development led by the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Mr. Chinh said that, along with Vietnam’s other religions and beliefs, Buddhism has oriented spiritual life and built moral standards, contributing to social stability and promoting national development. He asserted that the Party and State respect people’s freedom of belief and religion and ensure that all religious activities are practiced according to the law.

PM Pham Minh Chinh at the commemoration of Lord Buddha's 2568th birth anniversary in Hanoi on May 22 (Photo: VOV)

The Prime Minister asked the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and religions nationwide to uphold the spirit of unity between people and different religions, and actively take part in charities. He said it is essential to take a pioneering role in fighting superstition, promote spiritually healthy religious activities, and prevent any acts of taking advantage of religion and belief to sabotage the State and the people.

Mr. Chinh also stressed the need to educate Buddhist followers about patriotism, encourage them to lead a good life, and contribute to poverty reduction and social equality.