Activities mark 35th founding anniversary of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) held a ceremony at Trung Hau Temple, Me Linh district, Hanoi to celebrate its 35th founding anniversary (1981-2016), attracting Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers from the northern provinces.

At the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Vice Standing Chairman of the VBS's Executive Council delivered a message penned by Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, Supreme Patriarch of the VBS to Buddhist followers from home and abroad.

Addressing the event, Bui Thanh Ha, Executive Vice Chairman of the Vietnam's Government Committee for Religious Affairs stressed the important role of Buddhism to the country’s cultural and spiritual life in the past and at present.

He called on Buddhist monks, nuns and followers nationwide to promote the 'Protecting the Nation – Comforting the People' motto of Buddhism while designing more practical programmes to popularise Buddha’s teachings.

Ceremonies remembering the 35th founding of the VBS were also held in Long An, Quang Ngai and Quang Tri provinces.

At these events, local outstanding individuals and collectives who have made significant contributions to Buddhist activities were presented with certificates of merit from the VBS and local authorities.