Thousands of people gathered at the Van Hanh Monastery in Phu Nhuan district, Ho Chi Minh City, for a memorial service for Most Venerable Thich Minh Chau, Deputy Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), who passed away on Sept.1 at the age of 94.

Representatives from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, sectors, localities, and Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers came to pay their last respect and bid farewell to the Buddhist Sangha Deputy Patriarch.

After a commemorative ceremony, he will rest at the stupa at the Van Hanh Monastery.

Born in 1918 in the central province of Quang Nam , Most Venerable Thich Minh Chau, whose real name is Dinh Van Nam, played a significant role in unifying Buddhist sects in the country.

The Most Venerable was elected Deputy Chairman and General Secretary of the VBS for three consecutive terms since it was founded in 1981.

He greatly contributed to making many of Buddha’s teaching in Tripitaka (means Three Baskets) closer to ordinary people through translation of the sacred texts from the Pali and English languages.

With his prestige and reverend virtue, Most Venerable Thich Minh Chau was elected deputy of the National Assembly for the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th terms.

He was conferred with a number of noble distinctions of the Party and the State, including the Ho Chi Minh Order, Independence Order (second class) and Great National Unity Order.-VNA