(VOVworld) – Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers in Vietnam marked Vesak or Buddha’s birthday with solemn and peaceful ceremonies. People involved in religious practices have demonstrated a full and accurate picture of religious freedom in Vietnam. VOV editor Thu Hoa has written article titled “Vesak Day celebration shows religious freedom in Vietnam.”
The procession of Buddha statues on Hanoi streets on Vesak Day 2013
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On Vesak Day, or Lord Buddha’s 2557th birthday, pagodas across Vietnam were decorated beautifully. Religious activities were held for millions of Buddhist followers inside and outside Vietnam involving incense offering, Buddha’s bathing ceremony, a release of balloons to pray for peace, and humanitarian activities. A joyful Vesak Day for Buddhist followers to pray for peace and happiness is visible evidence of the development of Buddhism in Vietnam. Superior Monk Thich Gia Quang, Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Committee, spoke at a Vesak ceremony in Hanoi. "The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, by upholding the traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism over the past 2000 years with the support of the government and people, has obtained positive achievements. The Sangha now has millions of followers, excluding a great number of people who tend to practice Buddhism, 45 thousand monks and nuns, and 16,000 shrines."
Christmas Day, an important celebration for Christians, has become a popular festival throughout society. In the Christmas season, on Vesak Day, and during other major religious events in Vietnam, authorities have visited and presented gifts to religious dignitaries and supported religious communities in practicing their religions in a safe and positive atmosphere.
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| Outside Ham Long church in Hanoi |
Protecting religious practices shows that Vietnam’s policies on freedom of religion and belief are respected and followed. Article 70 of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam says that civilians have the freedom to follow or not follow a belief or religion. Religions are equal under the law. Places of worship are protected by law. No one is allowed to violate another’s freedom of belief and religion or take advantage of the freedom of belief and religion to violate the law or State policies.
The Vietnamese government has issued decrees and ordinances, particularly the Ordinance on Belief and Religion, guaranteeing its citizens the right to freedom of belief and religion. Thanks to favorable laws, almost every major religion in Vietnam has increased its number of followers, dignitaries, and places of worship.
As of the end of 2012, Vietnam had 13 religions and 36 religious organizations with 24 million followers, 83,000 religious dignitaries, 46 training centers for religious dignitaries, and 25,000 places of worship. In addition to expanding and upgrading their worship facilities, religious organizations in Vietnam have organized activities in association with national development. Bui Thanh Ha, Deputy Head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, spoke at the 2nd Congress of the Baptist Church in 2012. "The government has unanimously implemented policies respecting and ensuring the freedom of belief and religion. The issuance and enforcement of policies on freedom of belief and religion have met the wishes of religious people in general and Protestants in particular. Religious achievements are evidence of the Party and State policies, which are the momentum for religious communities to unite in the great national unity."
Vietnam’s freedom of belief and religion has been acknowledged by international diplomats who have attended religious events in Vietnam such as Vesak 2008. Recently, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Vietnam has made significant progress in religious matters when he mentioned the “Vietnam Religious Freedom Report 2013”.