Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh, Head of the Inspection and Legal Department, Government Committee for Religious Affairs, has just responded to the Information and Communication Center, Government Committee for Religious Affairs regarding the organization of Ba Vang Pagoda to process and display for Buddhists and people to worship " Buddha's hair relics ".
Ms. Dinh said that according to local reports, the celebration of the 765th anniversary of the birth of King Tran Nhan Tong is an activity organized annually by Ba Vang Pagoda since 2021. This content was announced by Ba Vang Pagoda through the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province on November 29, 2021.
On December 18, 2023, Ba Vang Pagoda sent a document announcing the change of venue for the grand ceremony by Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda, to the People's Committee of Uong Bi City and local authorities.
Ms. Dinh said that, compared with the provisions of the law on beliefs and religions, Ba Vang Pagoda is not the entity responsible for announcing the list of additional religious activities and the announcement time is only 6 days before the organization.
According to the provisions of the Law on Belief and Religion, for religious activities not included in the announced list, the representative of the organization is responsible for providing additional notice at least 20 days before the activity takes place. In addition, Ba Vang Pagoda also did not comply with the announced organization time from December 22-24, 2023, but organized it from December 22-27, 2023.
Article 48 of the Law on Belief and Religion stipulates that religious organizations and affiliated religious organizations, before inviting foreign organizations and individuals to enter Vietnam to carry out religious activities in a province, are responsible for submitting a request dossier to the Provincial People's Committee. Within 30 days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Provincial People's Committee is responsible for responding in writing. In case of disapproval, the reason must be clearly stated.
According to Ms. Dinh, activities at Ba Vang Pagoda have the participation of many foreign monks and Buddhists, the abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda must have a written report to the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Uong Bi City so that this organization can send the dossier to the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province to request approval.
However, the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province did not receive a request for permission from the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Uong Bi City. Thus, Ba Vang Pagoda did not comply with the provisions of the Law on Belief and Religion.
Ms. Dinh said that the act of Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh inviting Venerable Sayadaw U Wepulla, abbot of Parami Pagoda and the International Buddha Relic Museum, to Vietnam to attend the ceremony to celebrate the 765th anniversary of the birth of King Tran Nhan Tong and bring "Buddha's hair relics" to Ba Vang Pagoda for Buddhists and people to worship, and at the same time speak at the ceremony is a religious activity but using an entry visa for the purpose of sightseeing and tourism is not in accordance with the provisions of the law on beliefs and religions.
In addition, Article 79 of the regulations on the activities of the Central Sangha Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha stipulates that “foreign Buddhist organizations and individuals entering Vietnam with tourist visas are not allowed to conduct religious activities in Vietnam. If they conduct religious activities at one or more monasteries, they are violating the law. The abbot and the head of the monastery management board must take full responsibility for allowing these illegal religious activities to be carried out at the monastery.
The abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda must take full responsibility for allowing illegal religious activities to take place at the religious facility under his charge. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is responsible for reviewing and handling the matter according to the Sangha's regulations.
Article 50 of the Law on Belief and Religion stipulates that “religious organizations and affiliated religious organizations, before sending dignitaries, officials, monks and nuns, and believers to participate in religious activities or religious training abroad, are responsible for submitting a request dossier to the central state management agency for belief and religion.”
Violations under the Law on Belief and Religion
According to local reports, in 2023, Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh left the country many times, but only once, when he joined the delegation of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to attend an international conference on Gandhara Buddhist heritage in Pakistan, he asked permission from the competent state agency.
The remaining trips abroad involved religious activities abroad such as attending the Buddha's Birthday in Japan, preaching to overseas Buddhists in Korea, making pilgrimages to the land of Buddha in India, going to Cuba, Taiwan (China) and Myanmar at the invitation of overseas Buddhists. The Government Committee for Religious Affairs did not receive reports from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha about these activities.
The fact that Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh left the country and conducted religious activities abroad without the Church's request to the competent state agency as prescribed by law is a violation of Article 50 of the Law on Belief and Religion.
According to the Head of the Inspection and Legal Department, Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh invited foreigners to Vietnam to conduct religious activities without permission; organized the procession and display of "Buddha's hair relics" at Ba Vang Pagoda; the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province announced the list of additional religious activities that did not comply with regulations.
The fact that Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh left the country many times for the purpose of religious activities abroad without going through the Church to request competent state agencies is a violation of the law on belief and religion.
This incident has affected social order and the Party and State's policies on beliefs and religions; and affected the reputation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
Therefore, to stabilize the situation, competent state agencies have promptly rectified and continued to review, strictly and decisively handle violations when there is sufficient legal basis...
For the People's Committee of Uong Bi City, it is necessary to learn from experience in receiving administrative procedures on beliefs and religions.
For the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the International Buddhist Council, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh province, and the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Uong Bi city, it is necessary to rectify and require Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh to learn from experience.
It is necessary to strengthen the management of dignitaries, officials, and monks; promptly take corrective measures within the entire Church to create consensus, stability, and solidarity within the Church.
The Church needs to review and strictly handle violations according to the Church's charter and regulations to ensure discipline and order; and not to let violations of the law recur at Ba Vang Pagoda as well as at religious establishments under the Church's management.
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