Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien commemorated in Hanoi

A ceremony was held at Hanoi-based Quan Su Pagoda on November 17 in memory of Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddist Sangha (VBS).

Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien commemorated in Hanoi

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan joined representatives from ministries and agencies, and religious dignitaries at the event.

Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien passed away on November 8 in Hue city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, at the age of 74. He was a deputy of the newly-elected 14th National Assembly and the 11th, 12th and 13th legislatures. He was also Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee and a member of the VFF Presidium.

Born in Hue on December 1, 1942, Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien (birth name Nguyen Hoi) was ordained as a Buddhist monk aged 18 and later obtained a PhD in Buddhism in India.

During his lifetime, he was awarded the Order of Independence, second-class, the Order for the Cause of the National Unity and merit certificates from the Prime Minister and the VBS for his dedication to the development of the country and Buddhism in Vietnam.

Also on November 16, a mourning ceremony for the Most Venerable was held in Tuong Van pagoda, Hue city, where he spent his last days.