Hung Yen: SOLEMN ENSHRINEMENT CEREMONY OF THE MORTAL REMAINS OF THE LATE MOST VENERABLE ELDER THICH THANH DUC, VICE SUPREME PATRIARCH OF THE VIETNAM BUDDHIST SANGHA

Following the enshrinement, dignitaries of the Council of Proving and Executive Council, provincial VBS Boards and Bhikkhuni subcommittees (northern region), monastic lineages, representatives of authorities at various levels, departments and agencies, Buddhist followers, and family members offered incense, paid their respects, circumambulated the casket, and prayed for the late Elder’s enlightened spirit to ascend to the Buddha realm.

It is known that Most Venerable Elder Thich Thanh Duc, Dharma name Quang Te, secular name Tran Xuan Cap, was born in 1927 into a family of three children in Thuan Thanh Commune, Thai Thuy District, Thai Binh Province (former), now Nam Thai Ninh Commune, Hung Yen Province.

During his lifetime, he held many important positions, including: Vice Supreme Patriarch of the Council of Proving; Spiritual Advisor to the VBS Boards of Hung Yen and former Thai Binh provinces; Member of the Executive Council of the VBS; Head of the VBS Provincial Board and Head of the Sangha Affairs Committee of Thai Binh Province (former); Member of the People’s Council of Thai Binh Province (former); Member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Thai Binh Province (former); Abbot of the ancestral Thanh Long Pagoda (Tran Lam Ward, Hung Yen Province); and Abbot of Doai Lam Pagoda (Ngai Dua Hamlet, Kien Xuong Commune, Hung Yen Province).

With nearly a century in this world, over 90 years devoted to monastic life, and 70 rains retreats completed, he upheld strict precepts and exemplary virtue. He was frequently invited by the VBS Thai Binh Provincial Board (former) to serve as Preceptor-in-Chief at major ordination ceremonies held at Thanh Long Pagoda, transmitting the Dharma to monks, nuns, and lay practitioners. As a pillar of the monastic community, he was also invited to preside as Head Preceptor at six summer retreat centers in Thai Binh Province (former), guiding monastics in their three-month retreat practice.

Throughout his life, he earned deep respect from all levels of the Sangha, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers, as well as affection from government leaders and the public. His passing is a great loss to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, his disciples, and Buddhist communities near and far. Indeed: A full century of life, wholly devoted to the Buddha’s path, Seventy rains retreats completed, sowing the seeds of Dharma in the world. Due to advanced age, the Most Venerable Elder peacefully passed into nirvana at 02:30 a.m. on April 16, 2026 (the 29th day of the 2nd lunar month, Year of Binh Ngo) at Doai Lam Pagoda, Ngai Dua Hamlet, Kien Xuong Commune, Hung Yen Province. Worldly lifespan: 100 years. Monastic seniority (vassa): 70 years.

In commemoration of his contributions and virtue, the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Council of Proving, issued an official notice to organize the funeral with the highest-level rites reserved for eminent monastic elders of the Sangha. The official visitation begins at 10:30 a.m. on April 19 (3rd day of the 3rd lunar month) and continues through April 20 (4th day of the 3rd lunar month). The memorial service will be held at 08:00 a.m. on April 21 (5th day of the 3rd lunar month), after which the casket will be respectfully transferred to the stupa at Doai Lam Pagoda. During this time, visitation and memorial ceremonies are also held at Doai Lam Pagoda, the residence closely associated with over 90 years of his monastic life and Dharma propagation. Respectfully praying for the enlightened spirit of the Most Venerable Elder to ascend to the Buddha realm. Photos and report: Hung Yen Buddhist Affairs