Secene at the opening ceremony of the 2017 India Buddhism Cultural Days (Photo: VNA) Vinh Phuc (VNA) – The 2017 India Buddhism Cultural Days, the second of its kind,opened in Thien An Pagoda in Tam Dao district, the northern province of VinhPhuc on March 16.
The event,jointly held by the Vietnam-India Friendship Association, the Vietnam BuddhistSangha and the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, is one of activities marking the 45thanniversary of the full diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of theVietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Speaking at theceremony, Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan, who isalso chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association, recalled that Indianmonks introduced Buddhism to Vietnam two thousand years ago.
Religious tiesaside, Vietnam and India share a time-honoured friendship, and have alwaysassisted each other in all aspects from domestic issues in each country tointernational events, the minister said.
Cultural activitieslike the India Buddhism Cultural Days contributed to the friendship betweenpeople of the two countries and the diplomatic relations between the twocountries, Minister Tuan said, expressing his belief that the Vietnam-Indiatraditional relationship would continue developing.
He noted that theevent, which will take place from March 16-19, has many special Buddhistrituals carried out by GyalwangDrukpa and nearly 100 Drukpa monks and nuns from India.
On behalf of theVietnam Buddhist Sangha, Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Vice President of the VBSExecutive Council, said he hopes the activities would enhance faith and mutualunderstanding in practicing Buddhist teachings.
The event isalso an occasion for monks, nuns and followers to learn and exchange experienceand methods of practicing India Buddhism.
India’sAmbassador to Vietnam Parvathaneni Harish said the India Buddhism Culture Days wouldtighten the Vietnam-India relationship and provide a chance for Indian andVietnamese Buddhist followers to exchange as well as promote Buddhist teachingsfor 🍸peace, prosperity and harmony across the world.-VNA
