The event taking place at Quan Su pagoda saw the presence of Most Venerable President of the Central Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council Thích Thiện Nhơn, Most Venerable Standing Vice President Thích Thanh Nhiễu, and Most Venerable Thích Gia Quang, Vice President of the Central VBS’s Executive Council cum Director of Sub-Institute for Buddhist Studies and General Editor of Buddhist Studies Magazine.

State officials at the ceremony included Member of the Party Central Committee cum General Director of Voice of Vietnam Nguyễn Thế Kỷ, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Ngô Sách Thực, Deputy Minister of the Home Affairs Ministry in charge of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Vũ Chiến Thắng, and Vice Chairwoman of the GCRA Trần Thị Minh Nga.

During the ceremony, Most Venerable Thích Gia Quang reviewed the historical development and achievements of the sub-institution for Buddhist studies and the Buddhist studies magazine over the past 30 years.

Most Venerable Thích Gia Quang speaks at the event

Speaking at the event, while extending congratulations to leaders and the staff of the sub-institute and the magazine, Vice Chairwoman of the GCRA Trần Thị Minh Nga highly appreciated contributions of the sub-institution for Buddhist studies and the Buddhist studies magazine for communicating the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and President Ho Chi Minh's thoughts on religion in general and Buddhism in particular, to Vietnamese Buddhists at home and abroad.

Vice Chairwoman of the GCRA Trần Thị Minh Nga speaks at the event

During the ceremony, Most Venerable Thích Gia Quang, the Sub-Institute for Buddhist Studies and the Buddhist Studies Magazine were awarded with the Third Class Labor Medal of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for theirs contributions to the national construction and defense.

Four VBS’s groups and individuals also received certificates for recommendation from the Prime Minister and seven staff members of the sub-institute and the magazine were presented with certificates for recommendation from the GCRA for contributions in communication work on belief and religion.

In addition, four Buddhist groups and 39 individuals were presented with certificates of merit from the VBS’s executive council for contributions to the sub-institution and the magazine’ development over the past 30 years.

Most Venerable Thích Gia Quang receives the Third Class Labor Medal

Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng hands over certificate of recommendation of the Prime Minister to Buddhist dignitaries

Vice Chairwoman Trần Thị Minh Nga hands over certificates of recommendation from the GCRA to typical individuals

NL