Congress to identify orientations for Buddhist activities in next tenure
The 9th National Buddhist Congress, an important event held in accordance with the Charter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), is set to review Buddhist affairs during 2017 - 2022 and identify orientations for Buddhist activities and the VBS’s tasks for the 2022 - 2027 tenure.
The 9th National Buddhist Congress is taking place in Hanoi from November 27 to 29. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 9th NationalBuddhist Congress, an important event held in accordance with the Charter ofthe Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), is set to review Buddhist affairs during 2017- 2022 and identify orientations for Buddhist activities and the VBS’s tasksfor the 2022 - 2027 tenure.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the congress, MostVenerable Thich Hue Thong, Deputy Secretary-General and Chief of the VBS’sOffice No 2, said the last tenure’s achievements have been recorded in almostall fields, especially external relations. The VBS has properly carried out setprogrammes, including hosting and taking part in conferences and workshops, and hosting international delegations. In particular, it successfully organisedthe UN Day of Vesak celebrations in 2019, which received the internationalcommunity’s high evaluation of its organisation capacity.
Most of other aspects such as monk affairs, Buddhist lawdissemination, education, and charity work have also met requirements, thus ensuringstability and development for Buddhism in Vietnam over the last tenure.
Besides, the application of information technology to officeand administrative activities, preaching, and meetings has generatedconsiderable outcomes, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted.
Thistime’s congress is themed “Discipline - Responsibility - Solidarity -Development”, he said, stressing that discipline has become even more importantin the current context as it covers the adherence to Buddhist commandments,other regulations set by the Buddha and predecessors, the VBS’s Charter andrules, as well as the State’s laws, including the Law on Belief and Religion.
The Most Venerable wenton to say that discipline and the sense of responsibility are given the toppriority in this tenure since without those factors, the VBS will be unable todevelop sustainably or stand firm during the integration process to develop inline with the spirit of Buddhism.
Regarding the Charter amendment, he said the VBS previously has maderevisions for six times. At this seventh time, the Charter will be amended in away that better meets Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers’ demand andaspirations and generates legitimate interests for VBS members in line withlaws.
Theamendment also aims to boost the seriousness in monk and nun management whileenhancing the Charter’s consistency with the Law on Belief and Religion andother legal regulations, the VBS official added./.
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The 9th National Buddhist Congress is taking place in Hanoi from November 27 to 29. (Photo: VNA) 
