On the afternoon of January 4, the Standing Committee of the Northern Regional Executive Council (Vietnam Buddhist Sangha) had a meeting to discuss a number of issues, including disciplinary consideration against Venerable Thich Truc Thai. Minh, abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda (Quang Ninh province), about the incident of displaying “Buddha’s hair relics” that caused a stir in public opinion in the past few days.
After review, based on information, reports, public opinion and the harmful effects of the incident, the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha met and agreed on disciplinary measures against Venerable Thich Truc. Thai Minh.
Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh admitted his mistake in front of the venerable monks at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the Northern Region on the afternoon of January 4. Photo: Enlightenment Newspaper
Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh has apologized to the Church, Monks, Nuns and Buddhists for the unfortunate incident to Public opinion criticized, affecting the reputation of the Church, causing confusion in public opinion. The Venerable Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda also repented before the Venerable Members of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Council.
After the above incident, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha requested Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh and Ba Vang Pagoda not to hold international exchange events at the pagoda for a year.
The Buddha’s hair relic caused a stir. Photo: Ba Vang Pagoda
Previously, from December 23 – 27 (ie November 11 – 15 of the lunar calendar), Ba Vang Pagoda organized a procession, display, and worship of objects believed to be “Buddha’s hair relics” for people to admire. worship and some activities do not comply with the provisions of the law on subjects as well as registration time according to the Law on Beliefs and Religions and Decree No. 162/2017/ND-CP dated December 30, 2017 of the Government regulating detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Belief and Religion.
Organizing Buddhists to worship objects believed to be “Buddha’s hair relics” is an exhibition activity, so it violates the regulations in Decree No. 23/2019/ND-CP dated February 26/ 2019 of the Government on exhibition activities.
Quang Ninh Province has directed the Provincial Religious Affairs Committee to coordinate with the People’s Committee of Uong Bi City to continue checking, clarifying, consolidating records, and reporting to competent authorities to handle relevant entities that allow violations to occur. violate regulations.
In addition, Quang Ninh province requested Ba Vang Pagoda not to compile or produce videos, images, documents… and remove all information introducing the object said to be “Buddha’s hair relic”. posted on the information pages of Ba Vang Pagoda and Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh as well as social networking sites related to the above incident, causing complicated public opinion, affecting security, order and activities. Normal religious and belief activities in the area.
