Opinion
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| Thích Đàm Thu, Monk at Báo Ân Pagoda, Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội |
Viet Nam News
Thích Đàm Thu, 59, Monk at Báo Ân Pagoda, Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội
Every five years, I and the two others monks at Báo Ân Pagoda look forwards to the National Assembly election day, a day that is a chance for us, the Buddhist faithful, to carry out our sacred duty.
I and many others Buddhists voters hope elected deputies of the 12th NA will be talented, virtuous and devoted and will contribute to building a nation with prosperity, power and equality.
I hope those elected pay more attention to the children, particularly those poor in remote and ethnic minority areas. Why do I expect that? Because many of our charity trips to those areas, we witnessed a big gap between the rich in cities and the poor in remote areas. Many under-priviliged areas including those in the mountainous Lai Châu and Hà Giang provinces where we arrived for charity activities did not have a school for children.
Teachers and students there had to gather in miserable tents held up by wooden pillars and covered by leaves. These classrooms could only open in the summer.
NA deputies should act as a bridge between citizens and authorities and be close to the poor to understand their aspirations. They should protect the rights of voters and be willing to settle important issues in society.
A number of Buddhist temples and pagodas across the country are dilapidated. We expect parliament members to help promote and establish a fund for the preservation of Buddhist pagodas and temples. — VNS
