His Hiloness Thich Tri Tinh, the First Supreme Patriarch

NATIONAL VIETNAM BUDDHIST SANGHA
SUPREME COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

OBITUARY
HIS HOLINESS THICH TRI TINH DIED AT 97

Ho Chi Minh City — Vietnam’s First Deputy Supreme Patriarch, who headed National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (GHPGVN) as Executive President for more than two decades, died 28 Mar 2014 at 09h15 local time. He was 97.
His Hiloness Thich Tri Tinh, the First Supreme Patriarch and the Executive President of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, after a healthy longivity, died peacefully at His Van Duc Temple, Thu Duc District, HCM city. The bell was rung 108 times at his Van Duc Temple today while the Sangha sat in zazen.
His Hiloness Thich Tri Tinh was appointed by the National Sangha as Executive President since 1992. Under his leadership, the National Sangha is strongly promoting and developing. Vietnam is a Buddhist country with about 75 percent of its 89 million people members of the religion. As executive Head of Buddhism in Vietnam, His Holiness has legal authority to oversee Vietnamese Sangha and community in Vietnam. His Holiness was a teacher of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh since 1940s when the latter was living in An Quang Temple, Sai Gon (now known as HCM city).

His Hiloness Thich Tri Tinh was born at Mỹ An Hưng village, Châu Thành District, Đồng Tháp Province on Oct 17, 1917, the youngest of six brothers and sisters.

He became a monk in 1937, received dharma transmission in 1940, established Pure Land Fellowship Society (Cực Lạc Liên Hữu Hội) in 1955, served as Vice Rector of School for Buddhist Studies, Central Vietnam in 1962, started translating several important Texts of Mahayana Sutra Pitaka since 1964. In 1973, He was appointed by Vietnamese Unified Buddhist Church (GHPGVNTN) as Vice President. Since 1992, at its National Council meeting, leaders of National Sangha had appointed Him as Executive President and the First Supreme Patriarch of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

His holiness’ Funeral is held at Van Duc Temple, Thu Duc district from 29 March 2014 to 02 April 2014. His Memorial service will be held on 03 April 2014 at 08h00.

National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and 64 Provincial Vietnam Buddhist Sanghas will observe a national mouring period of 7 days. During this time numerous memorial services were conducted across the country. The official memorial service will be held at Van Duc Temple, on 03 April 2014 commencing at 08h00 local time. Several heads of state and government of Vietnam are expected to attend this service.

Letter of Condolence to National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha can be sent to vesak2014@gmail.com

(Reported by Most Ven.Dr. Thich Nhat Tu)

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