With the wish of "bringing peace and happiness to everyone", Venerable Danh Lung - Abbot of Thu Ba Pagoda, An Bien District, Kien Giang Province - has had many activities contributing to improving people's lives and promoting the spirit of solidarity and mutual love.
Venerable Danh Lung and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of An Bien district have joined hands to build many houses for poor households in difficult circumstances. Thereby, helping them overcome difficulties and change their lives.
Like the family of Mr. Phan Van Huong, residing in Dong Thai commune, since receiving support for a new house, his family's life has had many positive changes.
Mr. Huong shared: “My family has no land to produce, and lives on unstable hired work. When Venerable Danh Lung supported the house, my father and I were very happy because we had a solid home to stabilize our lives, and had more motivation to work to escape poverty.”
Recognizing the role of education in improving living standards, Venerable Danh Lung has taken the initiative to implement many meaningful educational activities. Many free Khmer classes have been maintained, creating learning opportunities for thousands of Khmer children in the area. The Venerable also mobilized the construction of schools for ethnic minority children, including the construction of three Khmer classrooms in Xeo Duoc 3 Hamlet, Dong Yen Commune, with a total cost of about 1.5 billion VND.
Venerable Danh Lung said: “In addition to taking care of the material and spiritual life of the Khmer people, education is very important. The young generation needs to study and practice to gain knowledge and know how to preserve the ethnic culture, language and writing.”
Mr. Danh Ut - a resident of Xeo Duoc 3 hamlet - confided: "I am very happy to receive support from Venerable Danh Lung and other benefactors to build a place for religious activities and build classrooms for Khmer children here. This work is very practical and meaningful, and the people really appreciate it."
In addition, in his lectures at the Third Pagoda, the Venerable not only aimed to disseminate Buddhist knowledge but also incorporated the Party and State's policies and guidelines, encouraging people to live righteously, unite and love each other. The Venerable also propagated for people to reject false information and protect security and order in the locality.
The Venerable also actively organizes many cultural activities to connect the Khmer people and other communities. At the Third Pagoda, traditional festivals such as Ok Om Bok and Sene Dolta are held with food stalls, exhibition areas, and descriptions of the lives and work of the Khmer people. These activities not only attract a large number of participants but are also an opportunity for everyone to share, honor, and preserve their cultural beauty.
"I believe that living to help others is the greatest happiness. As long as I am healthy, I will continue to accompany the Fatherland Front and the people of An Bien to do meaningful things for society," Venerable Danh Lung shared.
Mr. Tran Thanh Dien - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of An Bien district - commented: With his continuous efforts in social security activities, Venerable Danh Lung has been awarded many noble awards such as the National Great Unity Medal, the Commemorative Medal for the cause of national great unity and many other certificates of merit. Venerable Danh Lung is a model of compassion and social responsibility.
“Not only does the Venerable Master, who is over 60 years old, spread Buddhist knowledge, but he also arouses the spirit of solidarity, love and mutual support in the community,” Mr. Dien added.
