Catholic and Buddhist leaders teamed up in southern Vietnam to promote religious values as they met for Buddhism’s Vesak festival.

Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh of Hue, who led a nine-member delegation from Hue Archdiocese, paid an official visit to the Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee based in Thua Thien Hue on May 6.

The delegates were warmly welcomed by Most Venerable Thich Duc Thanh, head of the local executive committee, and eight other Buddhist dignitaries.

Archbishop Linh offered congratulations and good wishes to the hosts and Buddhists celebrating the Vesak festival, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Lord Buddha.

The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam said Buddhism is a large religion and has deep and great influence on the world, so the United Nations yearly holds the Vesak festival. Vietnam has hosted the UN Day of Vesak three times, in 2008, 2014 and 2019.

Archbishop Linh said traditional Buddhist teaching highlights humanity and sacrifice and leads people to find happiness. “This is a meeting place between Buddhism and other religions, especially Christianity,” he noted.

The prelate also expected to foster community solidarity between local Catholics and Buddhist followers.

He expressed high hopes that “this frank meeting today will serve as a first step to fulfill the dream of promoting solidarity between the two religions.”