Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Journal for Indian and Asian Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Vietnam on December 29 launched a special edition of the journal themed “Sri Lanka - Vietnam Buddhist and Historical Relations” and organised a talk about the issue.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Indian and Southwest Asian Studies Pham Cao Cuong said that Vietnam and Sri Lanka are play an increasingly important role in international relations in South Asia, South East Asia, and multilateral forums including the United Nations.
In the context of limited information about Sri Lanka in Vietnam, one of the useful ways to promote mutual understanding between the two countries is cooperation in publication, he said, adding that the special edition on Sri Lanka is intended to develop effective and practical bilateral relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
The journal first published a special edition on Sri Lanka in 2021, providing information about the country and people.
Dr Thich Nu Nhu Nguyet, a Buddhist nun and Director of the Buddhist Women's Research Center under the Vietnam Institute of Buddhist Studies, said that Buddhist and historical relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka are a very interesting topic as it is a prominent aspect of the relationship between the two countries.
Although there are many Buddhist sects in Vietnam, Vietnamese Buddhism is also influenced by Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lanka. It can be said that Theravada Buddhism is the connection between Vietnam and Sri Lanka throughout history, creating a very unique feature in the relationship between the two countries./.