Cao Bang provincial Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) held a ceremony on November 27 for marking the 10th establishment anniversary and partly inaugurating Truc Lam Ta Lung pagoda in Cao Bang province’s Phuc Hoa district.
Attending the event included President of the Central VBS Executive Council Thích Thiện Nhơn, Vice Standing President of the VBS Executive Council Thích Thanh Nhiễu, and thousands of monks, nuns and Buddhist followers across the country.
State officials at the ceremony were Deputy Minister of the Home Affairs Ministry cum Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Phạm Dũng, Director of the GCRA’s Buddhist Affairs Department Bùi Hữu Dược, and Vice Chairman of Cao Bang provincial People’s Committee Đàm Văn Eng.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman Phạm Dũng affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always respect and guarantee the right to freedom of belief and religion for every Vietnamese. He also acknowledged practical contributions of the Central VBS in general and Cao Bang provincial VBS in particular to the local socio-economic development, and peace and prosperity in the country.
During the event, authorized by the State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Chairman of the GCRA Phạm Dũng presented the third-class Independence Medal to Vice Chairman of Central VBS Executive Council cum Chairman of Cao Bang provincial VBS Executive Committee Thích Gia Quang for his outstanding contributions in patriotic movements for national construction and defense.
Some images at ceremony
Nguyễn Văn Long
