VĨNH PHÚC — Several Buddhist rituals will be held within the framework of the second Indian Buddhist Culture Day, which began on Thursday.

The event will be at Thiên Ân Pagoda in Tam Đảo District, Vĩnh Phúc Province.

Jointly held by the Việt Nam-India Friendship Association, the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the Indian Embassy in Việt Nam, the event is part of activities to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Viet Nam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Information and Communications Trương Minh Tuấn, who is also chairman of the Việt Nam-India Friendship Association, said that Indian monks introduced Buddhism to Việt Nam two thousand years ago.

Religious ties aside, Việt Nam and India share a time-honoured friendship and have always assisted each other, he said.

Cultural activities such as India Buddhism Cultural Day contribute to friendship between people of the two countries and boosting diplomatic relations, he added, expressing his belief that the Việt Nam-India relationship would continue developing.

He noted that the event, which is from March 16 to 19, includes many Buddhist rituals carried out by Gyalwang Drukpa and nearly 100 Drukpa monks and nuns from India.

On behalf of the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha, Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu, vice president of the VBS Executive Council, said he hoped the activities would enhance faith in practicing Buddhist teachings. The event is also an occasion for monks, nuns and followers to exchange experiences and methods of practising Buddhism.

India’s Ambassador to Việt Nam Parvathaneni Harish said the India Buddhism Culture Day would cement the Việt Nam-India relationship and provide an opportunity for Indian and Vietnamese Buddhist followers to promote Buddhist teachings for peace, prosperity and harmony.

Also on this occasion, Gyalwang Drukpa will present the VBS with a brocade picture portraying the Bodhisattva, which was created by 40 artisans. The brocade picture is recognised as the largest of its kind by Vietkings, Việt Nam’s record organisation.

The first Indian Buddhist Culture Day was held at Phật Tích Pagoda in Tiên Du District in the northern Bắc Ninh Province in 2014.

In other news, the third Buddhism Festival in the season of Orchid Trees was recently celebrated in the northern province of Điện Biên by the managing committee of VBS in the province.

The event, which runs until March 19 and includes various Buddism activities, aims to strengthen solidarity among ethnic minorities, introduce Buddhism and promote local tourism. — VNS