International workshop on Buddhism in Mekong region

Local and international delegates attend the Buddhism workshop in HCM City. (Source: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – An international workshop featuring the history and development of Buddhism in the Mekong region was held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 13.

Jointly organised by the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanity and the Vietnam Buddhism Research Institute, the event attracted nearly 200 domestic and foreign scientists, managers, and Buddhism researchers from India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, the US and China.

Issues of great interests at the conference included the risks of destruction and disappearance of regional Buddhism relic sites due to natural disasters, climate change and human devastating activities, said Principal of the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanity Vo Van Sen.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Executive Council and head of the Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute, said Buddhism researchers showed special concern over building a peaceful and stable environment as well as ensuring harmony and balance between economic growth and environmental protection among Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries.

He called on the Buddhist community to enhance cooperation for peace maintenance, environmental protection, cultural heritage preservation, human resources development, and cultural exchanges in the region and around the world.

Participants suggested Mekong Buddhist followers preserve their own cultural heritage values while strengthening solidarity to protect the ecological environment in the Mekong River and implement the UN Millennium Development Goals.-VNA