Funeral Ceremony of Most Venerable Elder Thich Thanh Duc to be held with the Highest Ecclesiastical Honors of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

The Most Venerable Elder, Vice Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Thich Thanh Duc, has peacefully entered Nirvana at the venerable age of 100.

On April 16, 2026, His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, issued Official Notice No. 87/TB-HĐCM concerning the organization of the funeral rites for the late Most Venerable Elder.

The late Most Venerable served as Vice Supreme Patriarch of the Council of Elders, former member of the Executive Council of the Sangha, Spiritual Patron of the Sangha in Hung Yen Province, former Head of the Sangha in Thai Binh Province, former delegate to the Provincial People’s Council, former member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, Abbot of Thanh Long Pagoda, and Resident Monk of Doai Lam Pagoda.

Having fulfilled his karmic conditions, he peacefully withdrew from this saha world at 2:30 a.m. on April 16, 2026, at Doai Lam Pagoda. He lived for 100 years and completed 70 rains retreats in the Dharma.

In deep reverence for his immeasurable contributions to the Dharma and the Nation, the Council of Elders has resolved to conduct the funeral according to the highest monastic ceremonial protocol of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

All levels of the Sangha are respectfully requested to coordinate in organizing the funeral rites with utmost solemnity and reverence.

On the same day, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Vice Supreme Patriarch and Chairman of the Executive Council, on behalf of the Sangha, issued the official obituary and funeral program.

Funeral Schedule:

• Encoffining Ceremony: 9:00 a.m., April 19, 2026. The sacred body will lie in state at Thanh Long Pagoda.
• Visitation: From 10:30 a.m., April 19 until the end of April 20, 2026.
• Memorial Service: 8:00 a.m., April 21, 2026, followed by the enshrinement of the sacred remains in a stupa within the grounds of Doai Lam Pagoda.