Search Buddhist Channel
Special Buddhist school underway
VNS, Nov 8, 2004
HA NOI, Vietnam -- The foundation stone for the VND42 billion Viet Nam Buddhist Institute was laid on Saturday at Ha Noi?s outlying Soc Son District. The stones were specially brought for the ceremony from the Nalanda Buddhist College in India and from Nepal.
The Buddhist institute is being build on an 10.5ha area, and will have a museum and library. A hall to seat 1,200 people has been planned for the institute, expected to be completed in 2015. The institute will enrol 1,500-2,000 students.
At the ceremony, the Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha Congregation (VBSC) and the Director of the Viet Nam Buddhist Institute, stressed on the significance of the institute to the development of Buddhism in the country.
He said the institute will improve the training of monks and nuns, and contribute to research and co-operation with Buddhist universities at home and abroad.
Thich Thanh Tu called upon Buddhists, monks, nuns, as well as organisations and individuals to contribute to the construction of the institute so that it can begin operation by 2006.
Addressing the ceremony, President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Pham The Duyet praised the contributions of Buddhist monks, nuns and followers to nation building and defence, promoting Viet Nam?s position in the world. He said as part of the National Unity Bloc and as a member of the VFF, the VBSC should build on its fine traditions in the new period.
A styrax tree, gifted by Indian President Abdul Kalam to a Vietnamese Buddhist delegation in February 2004, was planted at the institute on the occasion.
"Buddhism is developing strongly in Viet Nam," Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Vice chairman of the VBSC, said.
Thich Tri Quang, who is also Head of VBSC Central Committee?s Dharma Dissemination Department, said Viet Nam has currently 40,000 monks and nuns, around 10 million Buddhist followers, and 14,500 places of worship.
Every year, hundreds of pagodas and places of worship are being built or repaired with contributions from followers at home and abroad. The monk said the VBSC intends to increasingly promote Buddhism in mountainous areas, aiming for even development throughout the country.
Ngo Yen Thi, head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, also sent greetings to the Patriarch and members of VBSC, monks, nuns and Buddhists on the 23nd anniversary of VBSC?s founding.
On behalf of VBSC, Deputy Chairman of the VBSC?s Executive Council, most venerable Thich Thanh Tu, thanked the Party, the State and the National Fatherland Front.
VBSC would effectively contribute to the country?s development and disseminate Buddha?s philosophy, he added.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv