VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha will celebrate its 30th anniversary next month at the Viet Nam Buddhism Institute in Ha Noi's Soc Son District.

About 1,500 dignitaries, monks, nuns, senior officials, Buddhist followers and embassy representatives are expected to take part in the two-day event, which starts on November 6.

Speaking to the press in Ha Noi yesterday, Oct 12, Deputy Secretary General of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Central Committee, Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, said the foundation of the VBS on November 11, 1981 was an important turning point in Viet Nam's history of Buddhism.

He said the VBS was the sole organisation charged with maintaining the 2000-year history of Vietnamese Buddhism.

"The VBS has always been close to the nation and is an active member in the national solidarity bloc preserving the tradition of defending the State and reassuring the people," Most Venerable Quang said.

The Sangha had united in terms of organisation, will and action since its establishment to implement the motto "Dharma, Nation and Socialism," he added.

The Sangha network has expanded to 58 out of 63 cities and provinces across the country and the number of monks and nuns has risen to more than 46,000 at present from about 20,000 in 1981.

The number of Buddhist institutes has also risen from one to four over this period while the number of Buddhist monasteries grew from 12,000 before 1981 to 15,000.

Last year, the organisation raised more than VND500 billion (US$23 million) for charitable activities in support of the poor, disabled people and victims of Agent Orange and natural disasters throughout the country.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News