(VOVworld) - The 7th National Buddhist Congress, themed "Inheritance - Stability - Development", opened in Hanoi on Friday with the participation of 1,000 domestic and international Buddhist delegates.

(Photo: vov.vn)

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the congress is an important religious event in the spiritual lives of Vietnamese Buddhist followers at home and abroad. Mr. Phuc said through ups and downs in its  history, Vietnamese Buddhism has become a religion imbued with the national tradition of struggle for peace and people’s happiness ‘The Party and State always believe that with the spirit of patriotism, solidarity and alignment with the nation, the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha will continue to make greater contributions to the process of national construction and defence for the goal of a strong nation and rich people living in an equal, democratic and civilized society. The Shangha will continue to link domestic and overseas Buddhist followers and Vietnamese Buddhist followers’ Association.

Mr. Phuc called on the Party and administrations at all levels to pay more attention to communications, disseminating Party and State policies to facilitate better conditions for religions and Buddhism in particular to develop nationwide. On this occasion, Deputy PM Phuc presented a government banner that reads ‘Vietnamese Buddhism – support the country – reassure the people’. During the two-day session, the congress will review the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s religious activities for the last 5 years and adopt an action plan for the Sangha in the seventh term until 2017. The congress will also make thorough consideration on finalizing the 5th VBS’s charter, and honour outstanding Buddhist monks and followers for their contributions in the past tenure and pass several relevant documents.