Most Venerable Thích Trí Tịnh took positions as First Deputy Patriarch and Chairman of the VBS Executive Council; Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee; and the abbot of Vạn Đức pagoda. Due to old age and poor health, he passed away at 9.15am on 03/28/2014 at Vạn Đức Pagoda at the age of 98.

At the funeral ceremony, the Committee’s delegation led by Mr Phạm Dũng, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs expressed the deep condolences to all dignitaries and followers of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha upon the death of the Most Venerable. Leaders of the Committee respectfully offered incense to expressed their respect to the Most Venerable who made many significant contributions in the building of the great national unity block, and a strong and unified Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

Mr Phạm Dũng writes his deep thoughts in the funeral book