Thai Nguyen provincial Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) solemnly held an opening ceremony on July 14 to start the summer retreat course 2015 for local monks and nuns.
Attending the ceremony were Venerable Deputy Secretary General of the Central VBS Thích Thanh Điện, Venerable Vice Chairman of the Central VBS International Buddhist Affairs Committee Thích Giác Dũng, Venerable Chairman of Thai Nguyen provincial VBS Executive Committee Thích Nguyên Thành and about 50 monks, nuns, and thousands of Buddhists in the locality.
State guests at the ceremony included Vice Chairman of Thai Nguyen People’s Committee Đặng Viết Thuần and Director of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs’ Buddhist Affairs Department Bùi Hữu Dược.
Speaking at the event, Director Bùi Hữu Dược affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always respect and guarantee the right to freedom of belief and religion for every Vietnamese, as well as acknowledged practical contributions of Buddhism in social and charitable activities, contributing to the socio-economic development in the coming time.
Some images at the ceremony:
Nguyễn Văn Long
