The President highlighted contributions of Buddhistmonks, nuns, and followers to the struggle for national liberation,construction and defence, as well as present patriotic emulation movements, includingthose on poverty reduction, new-style rural area building, environmentalprotection and COVID-19 prevention and control, among others.
The VBS has seriously observed regulations on pandemicprevention and control, and contributed funds to the fight, he said, addingthat thousands of Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers have voluntarilyjoined the frontline of the pandemic combat.
The Party and the State always pay attention toreligions and religious affairs, and have issued many relevant policies andlaws that affirm religious followers form an integral part of the great nationalunity bloc, President Phuc stressed.
The President stressed that theParty and State have consistently implemented a policy on respecting and ensuring people's right tofreedom of belief and religion, right to freedom of non-belief and religion,and guaranteeing that religious activities are practiced in accordance with the law.
On this occasion, the President asked ministries,agencies, local authorities and the Vietnam Fatherland Front to further implementthe Party’s guidelines and policies, and the State’s law on religions.
On behalf of the Party and the State, President Phuc presenteda first-class Independence Order to the VBS.
Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Deputy Patriarch of the VBS and headof the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in HCM City,delivered a message from the Patronage Council of the VBS, which called onall monks, nuns, disciples, and people to continue upholding theincarnation tradition of Vietnamese Buddhism, train themselves, and cultivatedignified spirituality.
They should alsofurther promote the tradition of protecting the nation and the people,accompanying the nation of Vietnamese Buddhism, as well as consolidatingnational solidarity and international religious connections, the message reads.
The Sanghashould also take care of the overseas Vietnamese Buddhist community, andthrough them, introduce the Vietnamese history, culture and people tointernational friends to help the country maintain peace, stability and protectVietnam’s sovereignty.
The ceremony was held in Hanoiand connected with 63 cities and provinces across the country.
Party General Secretary NguyenPhu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman VuongDinh Hue also sent banquets of flowers to the VBS./.