India Buddhism Cultural Days opens in Vinh Phuc
Vinh Phuc (VNA) – The 2017 India Buddhism Cultural Days, the second of its kind,
opened in Thien An Pagoda in Tam Dao district, the northern province of Vinh
Phuc on March 16.
The event,
jointly held by the Vietnam-India Friendship Association, the Vietnam Buddhist
Sangha and the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, is one of activities marking the 45th
anniversary of the full diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the
Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Speaking at the
ceremony, Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan, who is
also chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association, recalled that Indian
monks introduced Buddhism to Vietnam two thousand years ago.
Religious ties
aside, Vietnam and India share a time-honoured friendship, and have always
assisted each other in all aspects from domestic issues in each country to
international events, the minister said.
Cultural activities
like the India Buddhism Cultural Days contributed to the friendship between
people of the two countries and the diplomatic relations between the two
countries, Minister Tuan said, expressing his belief that the Vietnam-India
traditional relationship would continue developing.
He noted that the
event, which will take place from March 16-19, has many special Buddhist
rituals carried out by Gyalwang
Drukpa and nearly 100 Drukpa monks and nuns from India.
On behalf of the
Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Vice President of the VBS
Executive Council, said he hopes the activities would enhance faith and mutual
understanding in practicing Buddhist teachings.
The event is
also an occasion for monks, nuns and followers to learn and exchange experience
and methods of practicing India Buddhism.
India’s
Ambassador to Vietnam Parvathaneni Harish said the India Buddhism Culture Days would
tighten the Vietnam-India relationship and provide a chance for Indian and
Vietnamese Buddhist followers to exchange as well as promote Buddhist teachings
for peace, prosperity and harmony across the world.-VNA