Speaking at the event, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, President of the VBS Executive Council, highlighted the VBS’s contributions to the nation over the past 35 years.
He praised the VBS’s municipal chapter for its significant achievements in organisation, culture, education and external affairs.
The chapter had raised more than VND2.6 trillion (US$116.8 million) for charitable activities during the period, he noted.
On behalf of the local authorities, Nguyen Hoang Nang, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF)’s Ho Chi Minh City chapter congratulated the VBS on the anniversary, affirming that the establishment of the Sangha 35 years ago met the aspirations of Buddhist monks, nuns and laypeople at home and abroad.
He stated the VBS and its Ho Chi Minh chapter had worked to enhance solidarity among Vietnamese, contributing to the overall development of the country.
Nang said he believed the local chapter would make greater contributions to the national construction and development in the time to come.
On the occasion of the anniversary, the chapter handed over VND1 billion (nearly US$45,000) to the Vietnam Fatherland Front to support flood victims in the Central Region.
