Hoa Hao Buddhist Sect celebrates its 70th anniversary

      More than 500 followers of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Sect gathered at An Hoa pagoda in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on June 10 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the sect and the success of its recent 3rd national convention.
During the previous term (2004-2009), the sect’s executive council brought into full play its internal strength, promoted unity among its followers and encouraged them to live and work according to its Charter and State law. It also encouraged its followers to participate in many humanitarian campaigns, including raising funds to build houses and bridges for the poor in rural areas. Over the past five years, it raised more than VND162 billion for such humanitarian activities.
At the ceremony, the executive board vowed to go ahead with its adopted plan of action under the motto “For Dharma and the Nation”. It aims to maintain the purity and clarity of its doctrine, promote charity activities and live in harmony with other religions to build a happy and prosperous Vietnamese nation.
Nguyen Huy Dien, deputy head of the executive council, said that in the next five years the council will establish an employment counselling group for its young followers and work closely with other socio-political organisations to improve the followers’ welfare.