VietNamNet Bridge – Five Buddhist monks who volunteered to practice Buddhism at pagodas in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands left Khanh Hoa province to Truong Sa on April 12.

Inner wishes of Buddhist monks on Truong Sa Islands




A Buddhist temple on the Song Tu Tay Island.

These are five of the six monks who have been appointed to run three pagodas in the island district of Truong Sa, of Khanh Hoa province. Three pairs will practice Buddhism at a pagoda on Song Tu Tay, Truong Sa Lon and Sinh Ton islands for at least six months.

They went to the islands with a delegation of 74 people, who are scientists, artists of the Hai Dang Song & Dance Troupe and officials of Khanh Hoa province, led by Khanh Hoa’s vice chair Tran Son Hai.

Vietnam’s Truong Sa Archipelago is 248 nautical miles from Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa province) and 305 nautical miles from Vung Tau. The archipelago comprises over 100 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands, covering a territorial waters of around 160,000 to 180,000 sq.km. Truong Sa Island District belongs to Khanh Hoa province. The archipelago has fishermen and hydro-meteorologists.

According to the spokesperson of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, the appointment of Buddhist monks to practice Buddhism on the islands of Truong Sa district are civilian activities. Monks decide when they go to and how long they will stay on the islands.

PV