Addressing the event, Most Venerable Thich Tri Tinh, Chairman of the VBS’s Executive Council, encouraged monks, nuns and followers to preserve their confidence, based on understanding and Dharma, in the bright future of the nation and Vietnamese Buddhism, with the VBS acting as the sole representative inside and outside the country.

“The VBS should pay more attention to disadvantaged areas, rumors, disagreements and wrongful acts of a number of its members,” the Most Venerable said.

In 2010, the VBS will chair a number of important Buddhist activities, including the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi Buddhism and the sixth World Buddhist Summit in Hanoi.

It will also focus on educating and training monks and nuns, assisting the development of Therevada Khmer, finalising the compilation of Buddhist history and honouring those who have provided great service for Buddhism.

The VBS has set to concentrate on charitable and social affairs, particularly in rural, ethnic minority-inhabited areas, and developing HIV/AIDS counseling centres and programmes.

Last year, the VBS Central Committee and its municipal and provincial chapters raised more than VND550 billion for charitable and social activities, and maintained the operation of 60 Buddhist medical clinics and a chain of compassionate classrooms, vocational schools in 13 cities and provinces across the country.

The VBS also completed the establishment of a close and unified administrative system, helping facilitate Buddhist operations.

In his review of the VBS’s performance in 2009, the Vice Chairman of the VBS’s Executive Council, Thich Thien Nhon, attributed the VBS’s achievements to the close relationship between the VBS and administrations at all levels and to the immense assistance and support given by the State and local authorities.