New Year’s visit: Warmly welcoming the Burmese Buddhist monks delegation to Ba Vang Pagoda
On January 5, 2025, a delegation of Burmese Buddhist monks visited Ba Vang Pagoda and extended their greetings to Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh, the abbot, and the monastic community.
The distinguished delegation included Most Venerable Bhaddanta Sīlakkhandhābhivaṁsa—Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida Dhammabhaṇḍāgārika VII (the 7th Tipiṭaka Master), Most Venerable Bhaddanta Vamsapalalankara—Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida Dhammabhaṇḍāgārika VIII (the 8th Tipiṭaka Master), Most Venerable Sayadaw Bhaddanta Indapāla—Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida Dhammabhaṇḍāgārika XI (the 11th Tipiṭaka Master), Most Venerable Sandimarvaṁsa—Abbot of Aung Sukha Monastery, Chairman Sangha of New Dagon Township, Yangon, and President of the Advanced Buddhist Studies Institute of New Dagon Township, and Venerable Thich Thien Ngoc—Member of the Central Committee for Overseas Dharma Propagation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Abbot of Dai Phuoc (Mahapunnavihara) Pagoda in Myanmar.
In the spirit of monastic fraternity and national solidarity between Vietnam and Myanmar, Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh and the representative monks warmly welcomed the delegation and had a cordial conversation with them. After that, the resident monks guided them on a tour of Ba Vang Pagoda, introducing the Sangha's monastic practices and Buddhist activities here.
The visit embodied the spirit of monastic fraternity and cultural ties between Vietnam and Myanmar
“Happy is the Sanghas unity. Happy is the fourfold assembly all practicing together.”
Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh and his disciples warmly welcomed the esteemed delegation in the Guest Room, where they exchanged greetings and Sangha bonds
Venerable Thich Thien Ngoc, Member of the Central Committee for Overseas Dharma Propagation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Abbot of Dai Phuoc (Mahapunnavihara) Pagoda in Myanmar (center), together with the venerable monks, engaged in a cordial Dharma exchange with Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh in the Guest Room
In the Guest Room of the Pagoda, the delegation saw some outstanding photos recording the Sanghas practice of Dhutanga in the forest
The image of the cracked bare feet of the monks practicing Dhutanga in the forest at Ba Vang Pagoda has left a certain mark in the hearts of Buddhist monks
The revered Sangha conducted a solemn recitation of scriptures at Ba Vang Pagoda
The delegation took a souvenir photo at the largest on-mountain main hall in Indochina
In the warm and vibrant weather of spring, the resident monks led the Myanmar Buddhist delegation to visit and introduce the places around the Pagoda. Through that, the Myanmar Buddhist monks had a better understanding of the lifestyle, the Dharmas practice as well as the service spirit of the fourfold assembly of Ba Vang Pagoda
The delegation took a souvenir photo at the Spring Spiritual Garden, in front of the Buddha Relic Stupa
Remarkably, that day not only coincided with the Pagoda's monthly Uposatha Day (Eight Precepts Observance Day) but also marked its New Year's Dharma Opening Ceremony. As Buddhist devotees from far and wide gathered at Ba Vang Pagoda to learn and practice the Buddha Dharma, they also expressed their joy and reverence in welcoming the esteemed delegation, paying homage and making offerings to the revered monks. Witnessing the strong dedication of the Pagoda's fourfold assembly to Dharma practice and the reverence of the Buddhist devotees here, Most Venerable Bhaddanta Vaṁsapālālaṅkāra—Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida Dhammabhaṇḍāgārika VIII—praised: “I see that Ba Vang Pagoda is a large pagoda with beautiful natural surroundings where I feel a sense of peace and tranquility. I am also delighted by the wholesome minds of the Buddhists here, who do not mind traveling long distances and spending their valuable time attending the opening ceremony and making offerings to accumulate merits.”
During the tour around the Pagoda, the resident monks also introduced the activities to welcome guests visiting the Pagoda. At the food court with Tet decorations and food, the Myanmar Venerables gifted popped rice bars - a traditional Vietnamese snack, to visitors
The Venerables took a souvenir photo with Buddhists at the Main Hall yard
The Venerables took a souvenir photo at the Main Hall of Ba Vang Pagoda
The monks of the Pagoda led the esteemed delegation to visit the Worlds Biggest On-mountain Buddhist Lecture Hall
The delegation visited the Worlds Biggest On-mountain Buddhist Lecture Hall and also witnessed the practice of the fourfold assembly of the pagoda on the monthly Uposatha day (Eight Precepts Observance Day)
The delegation took a souvenir photo on the second floor of the Great Lecture Hall, facing the newborn Buddha statue which is surrounded by nine dragon statues, recreating the story of nine dragons pouring water to bathe the newborn Buddha
Moved by the heartfelt reception from Thay and the community of Ba Vang Pagoda, Venerable Bhaddanta Sīlakkhandhābhivaṁsa - Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida Dhammabhaṇḍāgārika VII, expressed: “I believe that Buddhism worldwide, and especially in Vietnam, would take great pride in having such a grand pagoda as Ba Vang Pagoda. Visiting Ba Vang Pagoda, I feel as if I were experiencing the “happy city” described in Buddhist sutras. This Pagoda is well-equipped, and every visitor here can feel a sense of happiness. This is a happy pagoda which brings auspicious energy that makes every visitor happy and peaceful in body and mind.”
Hopefully, in the future, Ba Vang Pagoda will have many more opportunities to welcome the esteemed Tipiṭaka Masters—those who have thoroughly mastered the sacred Tipitaka, including the Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka—and Burmese venerable monks. May the monastic fraternity between the Sangha of Vietnam and Myanmar continue to grow, fostering a deep and lasting bond.
