We are confident of Sangha development, says chief monk
(11/19/2003 -- 18:12GMT+7)
Ha Noi, Nov. 19 (VNA) - "Given our past achievements, we hope that Viet Nam's Buddhism will expand and contribute more to the nation with every passing day," said the Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Editor of the Buddhist newspaper Giac Ngo (Enlightment).
The monk wrote an article for his newspaper on the occasion of 22nd founding anniversary of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha. It follows below:
"November 7, 1981 marked the founding of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, a congregation formed out of the long-cherished wish of Buddhist monks, nuns and followers from nine Buddhist sects nationwide.
Prior to that, like the ups and downs of history, Viet Nam's Buddhism had made several efforts to unify its sects but all failed due to outside influences and resistance by those who were incited by ill-intentioned people from outside the country. However, the intention of unifying Vietnamese Buddhism never left the minds of Vietnamese Buddhists who waited for a chance to make it come true. That chance eventually came in the wake of the country's reunification.
In 1977, the 7th Southern Viet Nam Unified Sangha held a congress at An Quang Pagoda, assigning the Dharma Institute led by the Most Venerable Thich Tri Thu the task of working with the Northern Viet Nam Unified Sangha to unify Viet Nam's Buddhists into one group.
At a meeting held in HCM City on Feb. 12 and 13 of 1980, the Most Venerable Thu was nominated by eight southern Buddhist sects and the Northern Viet Nam Unified Sangha as Director of the Mobilisation Board for the Unification of Vietnamese Buddhism.
November 7, 1981 was a euphoric day to all Vietnamese Buddhists as their unification wish came true. A milestone was marked in the history of Viet Nam's Buddhism. Now that all Buddhist monks, nuns and followers in Viet Nam had one sangha which was recognised by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
Over the past 20 years, Buddhist monks, nuns and followers nationwide have participated in all the activities launched by the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, which has already served Viet Nam's Buddhists for four terms of office. Observing activities launched by provincial Executive Councils or Buddhist schools or the central Sangha, one can easily notice the full participation of all Buddhist sects in Viet Nam.
Whenever it comes to a Buddhist rite, it is very common to see many different colours of dress worn by participating monks and nuns from various Buddhist sects who practise together in harmony and with devotion. This is a great achievement that would never have come had it not been for Vietnamese Buddhists who made it possible.
With such an achievement, we hope that Viet Nam's Buddhism will expand, doing more things beneficial to the religion and society, fostering the Sangha and contributing further to the nation and mankind."
