The second Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam Buddhist Summit entered its first working day in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, centering on environmental and sustainability issues.

The two-day summit was launched at a ceremony at the Vietnam Buddhist University in the city, focusing on Buddhism's viewpoints on environmental issues and nurturing a sustainable world.

At the event, the host country’s Buddhist representatives include Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council, and Most Venerables Thich Thien Phap and Thich Thanh Nhieu, both permanent deputy chairman of the VBS’s Executive Council.

Two Buddhist representatives of Laos and Cambodia at the summit are Most Venerable Mahabounma Simmaphom, president of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Laos, and Venerable Khim Sorn, chief of the Secretariat of the Mohanikaya Monk Order of Cambodia.

The ceremony was also attended by Vu Chien Thang, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Tran Thi Minh Nga, deputy head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, and Nguyen Phuoc Loc, deputy secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, among other officials.

It took place in the presence of more than 1,000 Buddhists from the three nations.

Accordingly, the summit will discuss interconnection and environmental equality, Buddhist ethics and sustainable life, mindfulness and ecological ethics, mindful consumption and the environment, environmental education and awareness, and Buddhist wisdom and environmentalism.

Addressing the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon said the summit marks a commitment to strengthening academic partnerships between Buddhist organizations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

The summit calls for action and sustainable cooperation toward protecting the sustainable environment and enhancing cultural exchange between countries.

“Let the spirit of the Buddhist leadership summit of the three countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia continue to exist in action, lighting the path to a brighter future for the nations and the continued blossoming development of Buddhism in the Mekong River,” the Most Venerable said.

Laotian Most Venerable Mahabounma Simmaphom emphasized that in the culture and education of the Lao people, Buddhism contributes to protecting and building a peaceful and prosperous country, to preserving and promoting national cultural values as well as Buddhist culture, and to boosting the country’s development.

This summit serves as a land to sow the seeds of cooperation, innovation and sharing, the Most Venerable stated.

Cambodian Venerable Khim Sorn said that through cooperation in education, culture, and humanitarianism, Buddhism of the three countries can build up mutual understanding and compassion that stretch across the Mekong River and beyond.

Speaking at the summit, Deputy Minister Thang highly appreciated its theme and stressed that “the government and people of Vietnam treasure the traditional friendly relationship with Laos and Cambodia.”

The burgeoning development of friendship and comprehensive cooperation among Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia has led to a continuous enhancement of religious collaboration and exchange within the Buddhist communities of these nations.

This active engagement aims to serve the religious and social life of each country positively.

“The summit today holds significant importance as it actively contributes to promoting cooperation and fostering exchange relations among the Buddhist communities of the three nations. This initiative plays a crucial role in strengthening solidarity and fostering friendship between them,” Thang commented.

The second working day of the summit will take place in Da Lat City of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Tuesday.

The first Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam Buddhist Summit was held in Laos on November 12, 2018, with the theme of highlighting the role of Buddhism in promoting peace, harmony, and environmental protection in the region.

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