Annam Kiya Buddhists and overseas Vietnamese take photo together (Photo: VNA) Most Venerable Thich Kinh Chieu, head monk atPho Phuoc pagoda, who led a visiting delegation of 50 Annam Kiya Buddhists andoverseas Vietnamese in Thailand, made the remark at a meeting with President ofthe Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan in Hanoion March 27.
The monk said the 21 Vietnamese pagodas werebuilt in eight cities and provinces across Thailand, receiving due attentionfrom Thai kings.
Apart from ritual and spiritual activities, thepagodas also open classes to teach Vietnamese for expatriates, he added.
Eight pagodas have been attached with the platesbearing Vietnamese names, which aims to introduce visitors the origin of thepagodas as well as the Vietnamese cultural vitality in Thailand, he noted.
The pagodas also help strengthen the solidarityof the Vietnamese community in Thailand, which now numbers 100,000, and educateyoung generations about the national unique culture, he said.
Nhan expressed his pleasure to receive the delegationand recognised the Buddhists’ significant contributions to developing the VietnameseBuddhism over the past 200 years in Thailand.
The head monks at 21 Vietnamese pagodas inThailand are the symbol of connection between the two countries, he said,hoping that all the pagodas will bear Vietnamese names.
The same day, the delegation visited the VietnamBuddhist Sangha and the Thai Embassy in Vietnam.-VNA
VNA
