The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Committee in Kien Giang province solemnly held its 9th congress for the 2017-2022 tenure on June 16 at Phat Quang Pagoda in the province’s Rach Gia city.
Attending the congress were Most Venerable President of the VBS’s Executive Council Thích Thiện Nhơn, Most Venerable Vice President of the VBS’s Executive Council cum Executive Vice Chairman of the VBS’s Committee for Clergy Education Thích Giác Toàn, Most Venerable Vice Chairman of the VBS’s Committee for Buddhist Propagation Thích Tấn Đạt, Most Venerable Member of the VBS’s Executive Council cum Standing Vice Chairman of the VBS’s Executive Committee in Kien Giang province Thích Huyền Thông, Buddhist dignitaries from the VBS’s executive committee in neighboring provinces, representatives of other religions, and large numbers of monks, nuns and followers in the locality.
Distinguished guests at the event included former Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Lê Bá Trình, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Trần Tấn Hùng, Vice Chairman of Kien Giang provincial People’s Committee Mai Văn Huỳnh and Chairman of the provincial Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyễn Hoàng Oanh.
The Buddhist congress reviewed performances of the VBS’s Chapter in the past five years, approved working plans for the new tenure of 2017-2022, and selected 57 members to the new-term VBS’s Executive Committee in the province with Most Venerable Danh Đổng as its Chairman.
According to Senior Venerable Vice Chairman of the provincial VBS’s Chapter Thích Minh Nhẫn, the VBS’s Executive Committee in Kien Giang province has recorded many good results in Buddhist and social activities in the locality for the past five years, including the appointment of 32 abbots and abbesses, the organization of two ordination conferences for novice monks and novice nuns, as well as contribution of over VND 300 billion to social charities.
On the occasion, the provincial VBS’s Executive Committee presented certificates of merit to 13 groups and 35 individuals for their outstanding achievements in Buddhist affairs during the 2012-2017 tenure. The provincial People’s Committee also handed over certificates of merit to 8 groups and 13 individuals who made practical contributions in the locality.
GCRA’s Vice Chairman Trần Tấn Hùng presents congratulatory flowers
Presenting certificates of merit to outstanding Buddhists
TP
