Honoring the Vietnamese Bhikshu Buddhist Council's Ceremonial Remembrance os Master Minh Dang Quang

HONORING THE VIETNAMESE BHIKSHU BUDDHIST COUNCIL'S CEREMONIAL REMEMBRANCE OF MASTER MINH DANG QUANG-HON. ZOE LOFGREN (Extensions of Remarks - February 24, 2004)

HON. ZOE LOFGREN OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2004

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the San Jose Vietnamese Bhikshu Buddhist Council's annual remembrance of Buddhist Master Minh Dang Quang.

According to the Bhikshu Buddhist Council, Master Minh Dang Quang founded the indigenous Vietnamese Buddhist Order "Tang Gia Khat Si", normally referred to in English as the Mendicant Buddhist Order, in Southern Vietnam. This order represents a unique combination of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. On the Second day of the Second month in the Year of the Horse (1954) during a time of political turmoil, Master Minh Dang Quang went missing and the Monks and Nuns of this order observe his disappearance each year as a religious ceremony.

According to the Bhikshu Buddhist Council, this year marks the 50th anniversary to celebrate the long-lasting work of Buddhist Master Minh Dang Quang and his founding of the Vietnamese Sakya Muni Dharma School of Buddhism. Although, Master Minh Dang Quang is not with us today, his followers continue their Master's teachings in Vietnam and all over the world.

I am pleased to know that in my City of San Jose, California, the Vietnamese Bhikshu Buddhist Council can freely meet, worship, and practice their faith without fear of persecution.

But that is not enough. We must demand that all Buddhists around the world, and others attempting to practice and worship their faith, are able do so freely without fear of persecution.

We must continue passing legislation like the Vietnam Human Rights Act to promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam and House Resolution 427 that praises the courageous leadership of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and the urgent need for religious freedom and related human rights in Vietnam.

We cannot sit idly by as the Vietnamese government continues to oppress its people while hiding behind the veil of free trade. On this special day, I recognize the 50th Anniversary of the remembrance of Buddhist Master Minh Dang Quang and reassert my commitment to fighting for human rights in Vietnam.

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