Participants at the seminar. (Source: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – A seminar took place in Ho Chi Minh City on November 2 , providing participants with an insight into the 35-year development of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS).
Addressing the event, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Deputy Patriarch of the VBS Patronage Council, said the seminar offers a chance to assess the historical role of the Sangha as well as its great contributions to the national development over the past 35 years.
Its outcomes will serve as a foundation for in-depth studies on Buddhism and its social responsibility, he noted.
According to Asso. Prof. Dr. Vo Van Sen, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, over the past years, the VBS has always accompanied the nation, especially in social and cultural activities, contributing to diversifying the national culture and promoting the national solidarity.
Sharing view on the great role of the Sangha in the national development, Le Thanh Hai, former Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, stated that the VBS’s contributions are acknowledged as it has been twice presented the Ho Chi Minh Order and many of its monks have been honoured with orders, medals and other noble rewards by the Party, State and the Vietnam Fatherland Front.
He expressed his hope that the VBS and its chapter in Ho Chi Minh City in particular will continue promoting their role in uniting the people and joining national efforts to successfully implement the industrialisation, modernisation and international integration.
As part of activities to celebrate the 35 th anniversary of the VBS, the seminar was co-organised by the Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute under the VBS and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.-VNA
