Central Office 2 of the Buddhist Sangha summarizes Buddhist work in 2023

At the opening ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Nguyen said that despite many worries in the first days of taking on the task, with the determination and spirit of solidarity of the leadership and staff of Office 2, many achievements have been made in the assigned Buddhist activities over the past year. To look back at the Buddhist activities, seriously evaluate and frankly assess the advantages and disadvantages in the past time, thereby aiming for the goals of the new year, the leadership and staff of Office 2 together vowed to continue to complete the Buddhist activities well in the new year 2024. Most Venerable respectfully wished all Venerables peace of mind and body, successful Buddhist activities and wished the ceremony a great success.

Venerable Thich Minh An, on behalf of the collective leadership of Office 2 of the Central Committee of the VBS, presented 18 goals for Buddhist activities in 2024. Thereby, it shows that under the direction of the Standing Committee of the VBS Executive Council, the direct direction of the Most Venerable Elder, Chairman of the VBS Executive Council, the assistance and direction of Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien - Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the VBS Executive Council, the direct supervision and management of Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Nguyen - Deputy General Secretary, Chief of Office 2 of the Central Committee as well as the attention and help of the leaders of the government at all levels, along with the spirit of solidarity, always knowing how to listen, harmony between superiors and subordinates, and wholehearted service, Office 2 of the Central Committee of the VBS has been operating effectively.

Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Nguyen - Deputy General Secretary, Chief of Office 2 of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, delivered the opening speech. Photo: phatsuonline

The Central Office 2 for the 2022-2027 term was approved by the Standing Committee of the Executive Council with the personnel led by Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Nguyen - Deputy General Secretary of the Executive Council, along with 07 Venerable Deputy Chiefs of Office and staff, and at the same time there are 06 specialized teams under the Office with a total of 91 members.

Outstanding activities in 2023 include: Advising the leaders of the Sangha to manage Buddhist affairs in 34 provinces and cities in the southern region; Supporting 13 Central Committees, Institutes, and Sub-Committees of the Buddhist Nuns to introduce personnel for the 2022-2027 term and training courses; Arranging for Sangha leaders to attend and lecture at professional training courses in provinces and cities; Organizing and supporting international conferences, scientific seminars, great ordination platforms, and memorial ceremonies for senior leaders of the Sangha who have passed away; Successfully organizing the 2023 Sangha Activities Conference, the Standing Committee Conference of the Executive Council, the 3rd Conference - 9th term of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; Organizing a summer retreat for monks at Quang Duc Zen Monastery; Carrying out social charity worth over 8 billion VND.

During the past year, Office 2 received and returned nearly 2,000 certificates of monks and nuns, 42 certificates of monks and nuns, more than 1,000 certificates of summer retreat, nearly 2,000 certificates of ordination, etc. Notably, all certificates and documents were digitized electronically by the Information and Propaganda Team and issued by magnetic cards to monks and nuns.

Accordingly, Venerable Thich Minh An also approved the 2024 operating direction including 18 goals to promote administrative management work, meeting the practical needs of the Church.

To honor the groups and individuals who have made many contributions to the Buddhist activities of the Central Executive Committee, Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Nghiem, on behalf of the Executive Committee, read the Decision to award certificates of merit to 8 groups and 57 individuals according to the list signed by the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

On this occasion, to perfect the organization and help the Church become stronger, Office 2 of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha also decided to approve and introduce the personnel of the Medical Team (including 4 advisors and 10 members led by Dr. Chung My Dieu - Department of Medical Treatment, Tue Tinh Duong Quan Am Monastery as the team leader) and the Quang Duc Charity Fund (including 3 advisors and 10 members led by Most Venerable Thich Quang Tien - Member of the Executive Committee, Deputy Head of Office 2 directly managing and reporting). Notably, at the ceremony, the Quang Duc Charity Fund received financial and material support of more than 1.5 billion VND from generous donors, Venerable Sangha of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and monasteries in and outside the city.

Venerables Witnessing and Presiding over the ceremony. Photo: phatsuonline

To express our gratitude for such great support, Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Nguyen and the Sangha, staff and members of the Office 2 of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha respectfully offered New Year greetings and thanks to the Most Venerable Elder, President of the Standing Committee, the Most Venerable Elders, the Most Venerables of the Departments, Institutes and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. The Most Venerable also sent New Year greetings to all Buddhists, benefactors, reporters and media agencies who are collaborating with the Sangha.

Closing the ceremony, the Venerable President gave a sermon praising the merits of the Venerables and laymen of Office 2 and its affiliated groups for fulfilling the important responsibilities assigned by the Standing Committee of the Executive Council, supporting and advising the leaders of the Sangha to carry out important Buddhist activities. The Venerable also sent his best wishes on the threshold of the new year 2024 and believed that with solidarity, love and mutual support, Office 2 of the Central Committee of the Sangha will reap even more achievements towards the 18 goals for Buddhist activities in 2024 as set out at the ceremony.

The Venerable President highly appreciated the operating criteria of Office 2, which is to promote the spirit of discipline, responsibility, solidarity in the organization, and properly implement the policies and directions of the Standing Committee of the Executive Council, thanks to which the Buddhist activities of the Central Sangha in the past year took place smoothly and were successfully completed.

Realizing the positive changes, he encouraged the Office to continue to maintain the beautiful image of ethics and responsibility of the Central representative of the Sangha to receive monks, nuns, and Buddhists coming to work at the headquarters of Office 2. In 2024, many important Buddhist events of the Sangha will take place. The Venerable hopes that Office 2 will continue to promote its role and strive to serve wholeheartedly for the cause of strong and stable development of the VBS.

Dinh Trung - Thuy Hang

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/van-phong-2-trung-uong-giao-hoi-tong-ket-cong-tac-phat-su-nam-2023-post283360.html