Trong greatly valued the contributions made by the association to the nation’s two wars of resistance against foreign aggressors. Its chapters had been promoting a tradition of helping the poor and giving them medical treatment using traditional herbs.
He urged them to expand their charitable activities and build up solidarity with other religions to make the quintessence of Buddhism positively help people’s lives, thus enhancing their patriotism, national pride and unity to build a more prosperous country.
The Viet Nam Tinh do Cu si Buddhism Association was founded in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta in southern Viet Nam in 1934 as a local branch of Buddhism. It aimed to contribute to society by helping those in need of medical help while raising awareness about Buddhism.
The association has expanded from seven chapters in 1934 to 206 at present, with more than 1.4 million members in 21 cities and provinces. Its members actively take part in charitable activities and promote the use of traditional medicine to help people in need.