A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPREME PATRIARCH OF THE NATIONAL VIETNAM BUDDHIST SANGHA
ON THE 2567TH VESAK CELEBRATION ------------------
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha! Respected members of the Venerated Mahasangha, Lay devotees in the country and abroad. As we approach the 2567th Day of Vesak, Buddhists across five continents will joyfully celebrate the day when the Blessed One manifested in the world, bringing happiness and well-being of the masses, as well as benefiting devas and humans. This occasion invites us all to reflect upon the history of Shakyamuni Buddha and provides an opportunity for each individual to contemplate and live in accordance with his timeless and profound teachings. These teachings offer solutions for building world peace, true happiness for people, and sustainable development for society. This year, as Vietnamese Buddhists, we also respectfully commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation (1963-2023). With great pride in this glorious period of our nation's history, we remember the noble vow of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, who dedicated himself to serving the Dharma and the Nation. His compassionate fire and indomitable spirit possess the power to illuminate and awaken people's conscience, dissolving all forms of hatred. This fire has guided individualism and extreme ideologies. He stands as a shining symbol of compassion, wisdom and strength, embodying the spirit of Bodhisattvas in the world and the engagement of Vietnamese Buddhism. In light of the recent experience of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing complexities of wars and conflicts worldwide, let us follow in the footsteps of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc. As Buddhist monastics and laypeople, we commit ourselves more fervently to the path of practicing Bodhisattva's conduct as the Blessed One taught in the Sutra of the Questions of Viśeṣa-cinti-brahma: “A bodhisattva is someone who can endure suffering on behalf of all sentient beings, sacrificing their own happiness for the well-being of all sentient beings”. I urge monastics and laypeople at all levels to engage in more virtuous actions and actively contribute to the nation’s development, while fostering peace among themselves, symbolized by a lotus flower offered to the Lord Buddha on the sacred Day of Vesak. On this joyous occation of the 2567th Day of Vesak, on behalf of the Patronage Council of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Mahasangha members at all levels, lay Buddhists within and beyond our country who have dedicated themselves to serve humanity for the betterment of the Dharma and life. May wars come to an end, epidemics be eradicated, and happiness prevail in all places. May favorable rains and winds bless the people, and may peace, strength, and prosperity be bestowed upon the country of Vietnam. Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!
