He stated that for nearly 2,000 years of its presence in Vietnam, Buddhism has always aligned itself with the nation, helping to cultivate the fine values of the Vietnamese people and becoming an essential part in the people’s daily life.
The deputy PM noted that Buddhist monks, nuns and lay adherents have actively participated in national socio-economic development programmes and charitable activities, which further affirms the VBS as a patriotic religious organisation.
Hue also took this occasion to reiterate the government’s consistent policy of respecting and ensuring religious freedom.
In his report to the congress, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon enumerated significant achievements recorded by the VBS in the last five years, including establishing local chapters in all of Vietnam’s provinces and centrally-governed cities.
During the 2012-2017 period, the VSB has also successfully organised many important Buddhist events, has continued sending monks to manage temples on the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands and inaugurated many monasteries in the country’s border areas.
On this occasion, many VBS members were awarded the Independence Order, Labour Order and Great National Unity Order for their exceptional achievements in serving the people and the nation.
The 8th Congress of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha draw the participation of 1,250 delegates from all over the country, as well as overseas Vietnamese Buddhist associations.
The Congress is expected to amend the VBS charter to make it harmonious with the Law on Religion and Belief and outline the organisation’s development orientations towards 2030.
