Over 500 delegates attended the 2nd Congress of Buddhist Representatives of Nghe An Province.

(Baonghean.vn) - On April 30th, the Second Congress of Buddhist Delegates of Nghe An Province, for the term 2017-2022, took place with the participation of over 500 delegates, representing 53 monks and nuns and nearly 80,000 lay Buddhists throughout the province.

Attending the Congress were Venerable Thich Thanh Dam - Standing Member of the Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; Venerable Thich Thien Nhon - Chairman of the Executive Council; senior leaders of the Central Buddhist Sangha; delegates from provinces and cities, Buddhist associations of provinces and cities; monks, nuns and hundreds of Buddhist followers in the province.

Representing Nghe An province were Comrade Le Xuan Dai - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with representatives from several departments and agencies.

Buddhists welcome delegates to the congress. Photo: Tien Hung.

Buddhism has had a significant influence on the social life and spiritual culture of the people of Nghe An province. In September 2011, the Nghe An Buddhist Association established the Provincial Executive Board and held its First Congress of Delegates.

Delegates attending the congress. Photo: Tien Hung

As of the end of April 2017, the province had 50 recognized Buddhist religious establishments, including 9 temples designated as historical and cultural relics, and 5 temples that organize large-scale festivals. Activities expressing gratitude, cultural institutions, and scholarship funds have also been actively supported by monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers. The estimated total expenditure for charitable activities from 2011 to the present is approximately over 25 billion VND…

Speaking at the congress, Comrade Le Xuan Dai praised and highly appreciated the achievements of the Provincial Buddhist Association during the past term and outlined the key directions and tasks for the new term.

At the same time, it is requested that the Provincial Buddhist Association continue to coordinate with provincial departments, agencies, and organizations, as well as local authorities, to effectively disseminate the State's policies and laws to monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers; and to guide Buddhist activities in accordance with the law and the regulations of the Buddhist Church.

Outstanding monks and nuns receive commendations from the People's Committee of Nghe An province. Photo: Tien Hung.

The Congress also set forth the key tasks for the 2017-2022 term: To continue striving to build the Provincial Buddhist Association into an increasingly dignified and strong organization, meeting the religious needs of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers; to mobilize monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to unite and strictly abide by the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws; and to actively participate in the nationwide movement to protect national security.

Tien Hung