Party leader Nong Duc Manh has congratulated the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) on the successful organisation of its 6th congress in Hanoi, saying the congress has marked a milestone in the Sangha’s history of development.

While receiving senior dignitaries of the newly elected Executive Council in Hanoi on December 14, Mr Manh noted that since its inception into Vietnam 2,000 years ago, particularly the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in 1981, Vietnamese Buddhism has made a significant contribution to the nation as well as going along with the development of Buddhism across the world.

He expressed his belief that the success of the congress will create a prerequisite for the Sangha to host Vesak – a big and sacred festival of the world in 2008.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice President of the VBS Executive Council briefed Mr Manh on the results of the two-day congress, which ended on December 14. Delegates passed a programme of action for the next five years, elected top leaders and approved a list of ordainment for 1,409 dignitaries.

They also adopted a draft Charter consisting of 12 chapters and 52 articles to be submitted to the Government for approval.

According to Most Venerable Tu, the success of the congress once again showed that VBS is the only organisation representing Buddhist followers living inside and outside Vietnam.

Source: VOV