The first Provincial Congress of the Vietnam Buddhist Association (VBA) for the term 2026-2031 will take place on May 22nd and 23rd at the Provincial Conference Center, Nguyet Hoa Ward.
This is a particularly important Buddhist event, marking a new turning point for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the province after the merger and organizational restructuring. The congress is expected to open up a direction for stable development, unity, and partnership with the nation in the new era.
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| Venerable Thach Sok Xane. Photo: NGOC XOAN |
Reporters from Vinh Long Newspaper and Radio & Television conducted an interview with Venerable Thach Sok Xane - Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Chairman of the Patriotic Monks' Solidarity Association of the province, and Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the province.
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| Leaders from the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions and the province visited and presented gifts to the Patriotic Buddhist Monks' Solidarity Association, the Khmer Pali Vocational School of the province, retired officials, and exemplary Khmer ethnic artists on the occasion of the traditional Chôl Chnăm Thmây New Year 2026. Photo: BÁ THI |
- Venerable Thach Sok Xane: The 2022-2026 term was a period of many changes, especially in the process of reorganizing the administrative structure and merging local Buddhist organizations. However, with a spirit of unity, harmony, and service to sentient beings, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of the province has achieved many important accomplishments in all areas of Buddhist affairs.
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| Venerable Thach Sok Xane. Photo: NGOC XOAN |
First and foremost is the stabilization and consolidation of the church organization after the merger. Specialized committees have been strengthened in a coordinated manner; the work of monastic affairs, Buddhist education , Dharma propagation, rituals, guidance of Buddhists, information and communication, and legal affairs all operate in an orderly and effective manner.
In particular, charitable work and social welfare were outstanding highlights of the term. With the compassionate spirit of Buddhism, Venerable monks and nuns, along with Buddhist followers and benefactors, actively implemented many community support programs such as: building rural roads and bridges, constructing charity houses, awarding scholarships, supporting poor patients, providing disaster relief, maintaining charitable kitchens, and caring for elderly people living alone and children in difficult circumstances. The total value of charitable and social welfare work throughout the province during the 2022-2026 period reached over 800 billion VND.
Furthermore, the church actively cooperates with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other functional agencies to participate in building national unity, contributing to maintaining security and order, building cultural life, and developing the locality.
- After the administrative unit merger, the scope of the church's management broadened, the number of monasteries and monks and nuns increased significantly, and there was also a diversity of sects and religious practices. This poses a considerable challenge to the administration of Buddhist affairs.
However, in the spirit of "harmonious coexistence," the Venerable leaders of the regions always put the common good of the Sangha first. They all discuss, agree upon, and share responsibility in every Buddhist activity.
The Provincial Management Board regularly holds briefing meetings, implementation conferences, and listens to feedback from the grassroots level to promptly address emerging difficulties. At the same time, specialized committees quickly reorganize their personnel and coordinate activities smoothly across different regions.
What is valuable is that despite differences in sectarian affiliations or local characteristics, they all share a common spirit of service to the Dharma and the nation. It is this spirit of harmony that has created the strength for the provincial church to remain stable and develop steadily in this new phase.
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| Venerable Thich Tri Minh - Member of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the province, presented health insurance cards to communes with a large Khmer population on the occasion of the Great Unity Day. Photo: NGOC XOAN |
- The first Provincial Congress of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will focus on developing directions for Buddhist activities in the spirit of: "Unity - Discipline - Responsibility - Development".
During the 2026-2031 term, the provincial Buddhist association has identified several key tasks, including: Continuing to streamline the organization of the Buddhist association at all levels to be more efficient and suitable for the new administrative model. Improving the quality of training for monks and nuns, developing an integrated Buddhist education system, and stabilizing the operation of the merged Provincial Buddhist College. Promoting Dharma propagation, guiding Buddhists, and caring for the younger generation. Applying digital transformation in Buddhist administration and communication. Further enhancing the role of social welfare, environmental protection, rural development, and collaborating with local communities in social activities. Preserving the tradition of unity among the various Buddhist sects: Northern Buddhism, Khmer Theravada, Kinh Theravada, and the Mendicant Order within the common Buddhist association.
On the eve of the First Provincial Congress of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, I hope that all venerable monks and nuns, esteemed lay followers, and Buddhist compatriots will continue to uphold the tradition of unity and harmony, cultivate their spiritual practice, and serve society.
Every Buddhist should live a virtuous life, strictly observe the precepts, practice the Dharma, and actively participate in activities that benefit both religion and society, contributing to building a more civilized, compassionate, and prosperous homeland.
I believe that, with the unity of monks and nuns of all sects, the support of devout Buddhists, and the attention of the government at all levels, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of the province will enter its new term with even more achievements, continuing to affirm its role as a companion to the nation in the new era.
CAM THUY - HAI TRUYEN (compiled)
Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/thoi-su/202605/dai-hoi-dai-bieu-giao-hoi-phat-giao-viet-nam-tinh-lan-thu-i-nhiem-ky-2026-2031-doan-ket-ky-cuong-trach-nhiem-phat-trien-d904cf5/
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