Hoa Hao Buddhists celebrate religion's inception
VietNamNet Bridge, June 11, 2009
Hanoi, Vietnam -- The Hoa Hao Buddhist Church on June 10 held a ceremony to mark the 70 th anniversary of the religion's founding in Vietnam at An Hoa Tu pagoda in An Giang province's Phu Tan district.
Ha Huy Diem, Vice President of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church 's Executive Board, said that since the religion first made its presence known in Vietnam in 1939, its dignitaries and followers have been persistent in following the religion's eight instructions and guidelines on "for religion and for nation".
He said Hoa Hoa Buddhists were happy with the Government's recognition of the religion's legal status and they have actively taken part in many charitable activities, such as building houses for disadvantaged people, repairing roads, and funding cataract surgery for poor people.
So far, the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church has 326 places of worship across the southern region and regularly holds refresher courses on the religion's fundamental teachings for followers.
On the occasion, the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church 's Executive Board inaugurated a commemorative house displaying keepsakes dedicated to the founder of the religion, which were presented by followers from 13 provinces and cities.
It also launched a website at www.phatgiaohoahao.org.vn and a film portraying the religion's development over the past 70 years.