越南胡志明市领导人赞扬佛教对国家的巨大贡献

据《saigon》报道，2009年5月7日，越南胡志明市委书记黎清海率领党政代表团拜访了越南佛教僧伽会执行委员会和胡志明市佛教僧伽会执行委员会的市级第二办公处的僧人们，就佛祖2553诞辰纪念日向他们表示慰问，同时赞扬了佛教对国家发展所作出的巨大贡献。

在谈话中，黎清海向佛教对越南独立斗争所做出的巨大贡献表示了由衷的敬意。他说，佛教领导人鼓励信众帮助政府克服困难，迎接挑战，使国家、尤其是城市在经济衰退的环境中，没有受到较大的影响。

同时，他很感激越南佛教僧伽会在近几年举办的社会慈善活动，他表示这些活动改善了遥远地区人们的生活水平。

越南佛教僧伽会执行委员副会长兼胡志明市佛教僧伽会执行委员会会长智广法师则对政府的关心慰问表示了感谢。(编译：子规）

Vietnamese Buddhists have made practical contributions to the country’s development, said Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Secretary Le Thanh Hai while leading a Party and Government delegation that called on Buddhist dignitaries on May 7 to greet them on the Buddha's 2553rd birth anniversary.

Speaking with his hosts at the city-based 2nd Office of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) central executive council and the executive committee of the HCM City Buddhist Sangha, Mr Hai also hailed Buddhists’ great contributions to the independence struggle.

Buddhist leaders have encouraged the faithful to assist the Government in overcoming difficulties and challenges, he said.

Their contributions have helped the country, especially the city, ward off an economic recession, he said.

He also appreciated the VBS’ social and charitable activities in the past few years to eliminate poverty and improve the life of people living in remote areas.

The Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, vice chairman of the executive council and head of the executive committee, appreciated the authorities for showing special interest in the Buddha's birth anniversary this year.