Vietnam welcomes visit by int’l Buddhist delegation
The Vietnam Buddhist Church (VNBC) said it would do its best to facilitate the coming visit by renowned Monk Thich Nhat Hanh and an international delegation of Buddhist monks and nuns.
The Church will help the delegation witness with their own eyes the renewal process in Vietnam and the growth of the Buddhist church in the country, said Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, deputy head of the International Buddhism Board under the VNBC's Executive Council.
Monk Hanh, alias Trung Quang, will visit Vietnam Jan. 12 to Apr. 14 together with a delegation of 100 foreign monks, nuns and 90 Buddhist lay members.
Venerable Quang said he hoped the delegation of 190 monks and nuns would become more familiar with Vietnam's policy of respecting religious freedoms and promoting national unity.
"The VNBC has coordinated with relevant agencies to ensure safety at the highest level for the delegation in every aspect, from transport, food, health care to security," Venerable Quang said.
"The VNBC has made all preparations in coordination with not only the central government and local authorities where the delegates are expected to stay, but also with provinces where the delegation will go for short visits.”
Monk Hanh will meet with leaders of the VNBC, give teaching sessions and meet with Buddhist followers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the central city of Hue and the central province of Binh Dinh.
He is also scheduled to visit many pagodas across the country.
"We are looking forward to meeting the delegation," said Nun Thich Dam Lan at the Bo De pagoda in Hanoi’s suburban district of Gia Lam, where the Zen master and his entourage will stay during their time in Hanoi.
"Among us Buddhists, it is said that every monk arriving at the pagoda is a Buddha, but it is our karma that we have the chance to receive such a special delegation," she said.
Nun Lan said the pagoda had been making preparations for the visit by Monk Hanh for the past month, repairing rooms, buying food as well as blankets.
She said the pagoda had gotten used to hosting many visitors, since annually, 3,000 visitors usually come to celebrate the Buddha's birthday, and delegations of as many as 150 monks and nuns come every summer.
Source: Vietnam News Agency
