Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc visited the Administrative Council of Buddhism
Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc visited the Administrative Council of Buddhism
on the occasion of the 2558th Birth anniversary of Buddha
Saigon (May 5, 2014) -- A delegation led by Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc of Saigon Archdiocese, paid a visit to dignitaries of the Administrative Council of Buddhism Ho Chi Minh City in An Quang Pagoda to convey their congratulations and wishes on the occasion of the 2558th Birth Anniversary of Buddha.
The Catholic delegation includes Reverend JB. Huynh Cong Minh (Pastor of Cathedral of Saigon of Saigon), Reverend Francis Xavier Bao Loc (Chair of the Diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue [DCID]), Reverend Peter Đinh Ngoc Lam, Reverend Joseph Pham Van Binh and the other representatives from the DCID.
Welcoming the delegation of the Catholic, the Administrative Council of Buddhism HCM City includes Venerable Thich Tri Quang – Vice Chairman of the Central Administration of Buddhism Vietnam, Chairman of the Administration Council of Buddhism HCM City, Venerable Thich Minh Thong – Deputy Chairman of Directors of Buddhism, and Venerable Thich Nhu Tin – Deputy Chairman of Directors of Buddhism.
After the joyful greetings of Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc, Venerable Thich Tri Quang extended his appreciation for this visiting. He also recalled the relationship between Buddhism and Catholicism which was established from the past time of Archbishop Paul Nguyen Van Binh, continued during the time of Archbishop Cardinal Pham Minh Man. He would like to take this opportunity to express about the hope of this special bond of relationship should be developed more and more under the leadership of Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc.
The Chairman of the Administrative Council of Buddhism HCMC also reminded Archbishop Peter Nguyen Van Nhon of Hanoi Archdiocese about his visit to Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi to celebrate the United Nations Day of Vesak (the 2558th Birth of Buddha) last week. He also paid a compliment to Archbishop Nhon, and then suggested how to have an effect on charitable activities by developing a more interactive relationship between Catholicism and Buddhism.
In response, Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc talked about the significance of religion to social and moral environment in which is increasing degraded and polluted. He said that the religions must help to build and create a spiritual environment for the people so as to complete the moral education in schools and society.
Moreover, Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc concerned about the message to the Buddhists of Cardinal Jean Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue during their Vesak festival 2014, and gave Cardinal Jean-Baptiste’s books. Then, Venerable Thich Tri Quang offered the Giac Ngo magazine – the special issue on Vesak, to Catholic delegation.
In conclusion to the enriching fellowship, all of them together took their pictures in front of the Buddhism HCMC’s Administration Office to record the bond that existed between them for posterity sake.
Diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue
Saigon (May 5, 2014)