Quê Me Quê Me: Action for democracy in Vietnam & Vietnam Committee on Human Rights
PARIS, 5 July 2008 (IBIB) – The International Budhist Information Bureau has received the following update from the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) in Binh Dinh province on the situation of Supreme Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang.
After he was hospitalised on 27th May 2008 at the Quy Nhon General Hospital in Binh Dinh, the Patriarch’s health improved somewhat. However, after being treated for heart and lung problems, doctors discovered he was also suffering from a liver condition, and placed him in intensive care. They said the Patriarch’s great weakness was due to malnutrition – a result of long years under house arrest under very poor conditions.
After more than a month in intensive care with little sign of improvement, Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang asked to go home to the Nguyen Thieu Monastery so that he could enjoy calm and serenity, and listen to Buddhist Sutras. This is also the wish of his followers and other members of the UBCV leadership who have been beside the UBCV Patriarch in Binh Dinh since he was taken into hospital.
On the morning of 4, July, Venerable Thich Minh Tuan of the Nguyen Thieu Monastery and Thich Dong Tho, the Patriarch’s personal assistant, met the Directors of Quy Nhon hospital to discuss this request. The hospital consented, and the Patriarch was discharged. He left Quy Nhon Hospital in an ambulance at 2pm, accompanied by his disciples, the hospital’s Deputy Director and a medical doctor.
Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang arrived at Nguyen Thieu Monastery at 3.30pm. He was greeted by UBCV Deputy leader Thich Quang Do as well as Thich Thien Hanh from Hue (Secretary General of the UBCV’s Institute of the Sangha Vien Tang Thong), Thich Vien Dinh, Deputy Head and Secretary General of the UBCV’s Executive Institute Vien Hoa Dao) and several other senior UBCV dignitaries from Saigon, Hue, Lam Dong, Tien Giang, Binh Dinh etc.
The UBCV will hold a ceremony to pray for the Patriarch’s health at the Nguyen Thieu Monastery this morning (5 July) at 8.00am Vietnam time.
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Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang returns to Nguyen Thieu Monastery, greeted by (from the left): Thich Quang Do, Thich Thien Hanh, Thich Vien Dinh and other UBCV monks
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