HCM City (VNA) – Politburo member andPermanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh offered congratulations toKhmer Theravada Buddhist monks and followers on the traditional Chol ChnamThmay Festival and Buddha’s birthday during a visit to Candaransi Pagoda inDistrict 3, Ho Chi Minh City, on April 26.
Wishing Khmer Buddhists and people happiness andsafety, he affirmed that the Party and State always respect and ensure thefreedom of religion or belief in line with law of religious followers,including Khmer Theravada Buddhists.
They have also assisted people of differentethnic groups, including Khmer, to stabilise their lives, preserve and bringinto play cultural identities, and develop economic activities so as to joinhands in building a wealthy and strong country, he noted.
On behalf of the Government, Deputy PM Binhthanked Theravada Buddhists and Khmer people for helping the Party, Governmentand people nationwide to achieve initial encouraging outcomes in the COVID-19combat.
He also asked them to keep seriously complyingwith the PM’s Directive 19 on anti-pandemic measures in the new context toprevent virus transmission, minimise losses, and ensure stability insocio-economic development and people’s lives.
Appreciating Party and State leaders’ attentionto Theravada Buddhists and people of the Khmer ethnic group, Most VenerableDanh Lung, member of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council and headof Candaransi Pagoda, spoke highly of the Government’s sound policies andtimely measures in the COVID-19 prevention and control, which have helpedVietnam become a role model in this work.
He said this year, Theravada Buddhists and Khmerpeople have celebrated the traditional New Year festival in a merry atmospherebut still adhered to anti-pandemic regulations.
Monks and followers at Candaransi Pagoda willcontinue instructing others to comply with the PM’s Directive 19 and take partin patriotic emulation movements to contribute to national development, headded.
On this occasion, Deputy PM Binh presented 2tonnes of rice to Khmer people facing pandemic-caused difficulties in HCMCity./.