Delegates at the conference (Photo: VNA)Vientiane (VNA) – The firstCambodia-Laos-Vietnam Buddhist Leaders’ Conference was held in the Lao capitalcity of Vientiane on November 12, aiming to promote the development of Buddhismin the countries as well as regional exchange in the religion.
The conference saw the attendance of President of the LaoFront for National Construction Saysomphone Phomvihane, President of the LaoBuddhist Coalition Most Venerable Ngon Damlongboun, Cambodia’s Great SupremePatriarch Most Venerable Monk Tep Vong and Chairman of the Vietnam BuddhistSangha’s Executive Council Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, along with nearly600 delegates from the countries.
In his opening remarks, President of the Lao BuddhistCoalition Most Venerable Ngon Damlongboun highlighted the special significanceof the event to Buddhism and people in the three countries as it is a stepforward to realise documents signed by Buddhist organisations in the countries.
The Buddhist leaders took stock of the cooperation betweenthe Buddhist organisations in the three countries and acknowledged the need toenhance their friendly ties and coordination in religious matters and otheractivities, in order to meet society’s demand and join the internationalcommunity’s effort to address global problems such as trust crisis, environmentalcrisis, climate change, diseases, conflicts and poverty, in order to bringabout happiness, peace and prosperity to the region and the world.
In that spirit, the Buddhist leaders agreed to consolidate thesolidarity and harmony among Buddhist associations, and popularise thetradition of solidarity and special friendship among Buddhists and people ofVietnam, Laos and Cambodia, on the basis of respect for each other’s sovereignty,equality, peace and harmonious development.
They also consented to expand exchanges among Buddhistmonks, nuns and followers from the countries, and encourage border localitiesto tighten their solidarity and mutual support in Buddhist affairs, andtogether build common borders of peace and friendship in Buddhism.
The delegates concurred to step up Buddhist culturalexchange and implement projects on preserving Buddhist cultural values in eachcountry, while encouraging people to take part in regional and internationalBuddhist activities, thus contributing to peace and development in theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Asia-Pacific.-VNA
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