The seventh National Buddhist Congress re-ordained Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue as Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Patronage Council at its closing ceremony in Hanoi in the late afternoon of November 24.

The two-day Congress reviewed the Sangha’s work during the 2007-2012 term, adopted a Buddhist working plan for the 2012-2017 term and the Sangha’s mended Chapter. It also approved a list of 1,180 dignitaries for ordainment.

The Congress nominated a 24-member Patronage Council and elected 61 members to the Executive Council, headed by Most Venerable Thich Tri Tinh.

In his closing speech, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, permanent Vice Chairman of the Sangha’s Executive Council, affirmed that the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam will spare no effort to realise all Buddhist work, and believed that with support from the people, the Party, the Government and grassroots authorities as well as efforts made by Buddhist followers, the Sangha will continue achieving successes.

The Congress honoured contributions made by Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers inside and outside the country. The Congress thanked the Party, the State and grassroots authorities for creating favourable conditions for the sustainable development of the Sangha./.VNA