Chairwoman Bui Thi Minh Hoai sends congratulatory letter on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

The content of the letter wrote:

On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (November 7, 1981 - November 7, 2017), on behalf of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, I respectfully send to dignitaries and all Buddhist compatriots at home and abroad my warm, united greetings and best wishes.

Throughout the history of nation-building and defense of the nation, Vietnamese Buddhism has always upheld the spirit of entering the world, linking religion with life, linking cultivation with community and national responsibility. On November 7, 1981, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha was established on the basis of unifying Sangha organizations, Association organizations and Buddhist sects throughout the country, marking the solidarity, harmony and opening up a new period of development of Vietnamese Buddhism in the common house of the Sangha and in the hearts of the nation. Over 45 years of implementing the motto "Dao Phap - Dan Toc - Socialism", the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has continuously grown stronger, further affirming its role, position and prestige in social life; promoting the tradition of solidarity, harmony, guiding monks, nuns, and Buddhists to live "good life, beautiful religion", actively participating in building and protecting the Fatherland, consolidating the great national unity bloc.

The imprints and contributions of the Church over the past 45 years have been vividly shown in many fields. The Church has hosted the United Nations Vesak Festival four times, contributing to affirming the role and prestige of Vietnamese Buddhism in the international Buddhist community, and at the same time spreading the image of a peaceful, friendly, compassionate and culturally rich country and people of Vietnam to international friends. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with the spirit of compassion, entering the world and responsibility to the community, many Buddhist institutions, venerable monks, nuns, and Buddhists actively contributed resources, supported the frontline force, cared for people in difficult circumstances, and accompanied the Party, State and People to overcome a particularly difficult period. Charity, humanitarian, social security, health care, education, environmental protection, climate change response and preservation of traditional cultural values continue to be practically implemented, spreading the spirit of compassion, suffering relief, and altruism of Buddhism and the tradition of mutual affection and love of the nation. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, I warmly commend, respectfully acknowledge and highly appreciate the important achievements and contributions of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, venerable monks, nuns, Buddhists in the country and abroad during 45 years of construction, development, attachment, and companionship with the nation.

Entering a new era with many intertwined opportunities and challenges, I believe and hope that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will continue to promote the good traditions of the past 45 years; consolidate solidarity, harmony, build a strong and solemn Sangha; take precepts and morality as the foundation, focus on education, training, propagating the Dharma, improving the quality of the monks and nuns, and paying attention to nurturing the next generation. The Sangha continues to further deeply promote the cultural, moral, and humanistic values of Buddhism; encourage monks, nuns, and Buddhists to actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, campaigns launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front; promote charity, social security, environmental protection, response to climate change, building a cultural life and consolidating the great national unity bloc. At the same time, proactively adapt to digital transformation, apply scientific and technological achievements appropriately in management, propagation of the Dharma and Buddhist activities; expand people-to-people exchanges and diplomacy, strengthen the connection of the Vietnamese community abroad, contributing to spreading the good values of Vietnamese Buddhism and the image of the country and people of Vietnam to the world. I believe that, with the foundation that has been nurtured, the motto "Buddha - Nation - Socialism" and the spirit of world integration, the Church will continue to accompany the nation, serve the Fatherland, serve the People, contributing to building a strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy Vietnam, worthy of the tradition of a religion of "protection of the country and peace for the people".

Greetings cordially and united!

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