Most Venerable Director Thich Hai An presented a souvenir gift to the Ambassador.

The senior Most Venerables of Thich Quang Nhuan - Member of the Academy's Directing Council, Thich Hai An - Standing Member of the Executive Council of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), Director of VBA in Hue, Venerable Dr. Thich Nguyen Thanh (Ph.D.) - Member of the VBS’s Executive Council, Deputy Head of Central Buddhist Education Committee, Deputy Head of Central International Buddhist Affairs Committee, Standing Deputy Director of the Academy, along with other Deputy Directors and the Academy’s Executive Council welcomed the Ambassador and his delegation.

Ambassador Sandeep Arya expressed his gratitude for the warm reception at VBA Hue.  He also shared information about Buddhist education in India, where many generations of Vietnamese monks and nuns have conducted research and studies.

The Ambassador hoped that in the coming time, the relationship between India and Vietnam would see new developments, contributing to promoting sustainable cooperation between the two countries, especially in spreading Buddha’s teachings to everyone. Specifically, he wished to cooperate with the Academy in organizing specialized conferences. He suggested the Academy publish articles highlighting the friendship between the two countries, including educational exchanges and training of Buddhist talents between India - the land of Buddha - and Vietnam - a country with pure, long-standing Buddhist traditions.

Venerable Deputy Director Thich Nguyen Thanh, on behalf of the Executive Council, expressed his gratitude for the visit and practical cooperation proposals from the Ambassador. He also introduced the Academy’s educational training and in-depth research activities and affirmed that Vietnamese Buddhism in general and Hue Buddhist Academy, in particular, would continue to serve as a special bridge, actively contributing to strengthening and developing sustainable cooperative relations between the two countries.

During this New Year visit, the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam planted a commemorative Bodhi tree in the grounds of VBA Hue.

Ven. Thich Nguyen Thanh explained the meaning of the calligraphy artwork created by the Academys monks and nuns as a gift to the Ambassador. 
 The distinguished guests planted the commemorative Bodhi tree.
 A commemorative photo with the venerable monks of VBA Hue.
By H.AN