Buddhist dignitaries attending the event were Most Venerable Thích Thanh Từ, Member of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Discernment Council cum Patriarch of Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Buddhist School, Most Venerable Manager of the Zen School Thích Nhật Quang, Venerable Abbot of Truc Lam Chanh Giac Monastery Thích Thông Phương, Most Venerable Vice Chairman of Tien Giang provincial VBS Executive Committee Thích Hạnh Trân and Buddhist followers inside and outside the province.

State guests at the ceremony included Director of Buddhist Affairs Department under the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Bùi Hữu Dược, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Khang and local authorities’ representatives.

It’s reported that Truc Lam Chanh Giac Monastery is part of Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Buddhist School under the VBS. The Buddhist Zen School was founded by King Trần Nhân Tông (1258 –1308), the third emperor of the Tran dynasty reigning over Dai Viet from 1278 to 1293. He was famed for defeating Mongol invaders twice during his 15-year reign. After abdicating the throne when he was 35, he spent the rest of his life on Yen Tu Mountain practicing and propagating Buddhism.

Some images at the event:

State officials attend inauguration ceremony

Director of GCRA’s Buddhism Affairs Department Bùi Hữu Dược presents congratulation flowers

Overview of ceremony

Monks, nuns and followers at the ceremony