Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet said that ceremony aims to celebrate the 25^th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) and preparatory work for the event has been basically completed. Buddha's birth has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a world religious festival. Therefore, the VBS will organise a grand ceremony to mark the event in Soc Son district, where the Vietnam Buddhist Institute is located. A large stage on a huge square in Soc Son has been arranged and since the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, activities to mark Buddha’s birthday have taken place, he added.

Eight months ago, the Hai Phong municipal Buddhist Shangha had a huge Bodhi tree, about 30 tonnes, planted at the main stage, and donated a 3.5-tonne bronze Buddha statue, a 600-kg censer and a pair of 300-kg candle holders to mark the event, Most Venerable Quyet said.

All small pagodas nationwide decorated stages to celebrate Buddha’s birthday and launched charitable activities. In particular, the VBS will organise a charitable programme on the 14^th day of the fourth lunar month in Soc Son headed by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, vice president of the VBS Executive Council and head of the 2006 Buddha’s birthday organising board.

“We will visit some communes and present gifts to people facing difficulties,” said Most Venerable Quyet. “Buddha’s birthday will be solemnly celebrated with a wide range of activities such as art performances, Buddhism indoctrination, and lantern lighting.
Hanoi’s Buddhist monks and nuns will gather at Quan Su Pagoda and then process with nearly 20 carriages decorated with flowers from Quan Su Pagoda to Non Nuoc Pagoda. Rituals will be held as arranged by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha, including the opening speech by the Patriarch to be followed with opinions from government representatives, Buddhist cultural activities and peace bird release.”

Most Venerable Quyet said: “I hope that Buddhist monks, nuns and followers will properly implement the charters and regulations of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha, fulfil their responsibilities as citizens of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and live the gospel among the nation.”