Opening of the first Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Ireland

Vietnamese Buddhists in Ireland opened their first official temple on May 7. Minh Tam Pagoda is located northeast of the capital Dublin. The opening ceremony was led by Thich Phuoc Hue, who is based at Tu Dam Tu Temple in Birmingham, England. He will act as guest director of the Dublin Temple.

During the opening ceremony, Thich Phuoc Hue extended his "warmest blessings to all those people who have worked in so many ways to provide a truly proud moment for the Vietnamese Buddhist community in Ireland". (TEN) Others present included senior monks from the international Buddhist community and Ireland's Minister of State for Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications, Jack Chambers.

“It is a privilege to share this happy day with so many who have worked tirelessly and made sacrifices to create this magnificent temple here in Coolock. The opening of the first ever Vietnamese Buddhist temple here in Dublin is a momentous occasion and will certainly have a positive impact on this community. Chambers said. “This new temple will serve as a hub for the growing Vietnamese Buddhist community in Dublin and the wider region, providing space for worship, meditation and reflection, as well as a temple for people to come together and carry on. to build this strong sense. from the community. (Irish Independent)

There are around 4 Vietnamese Buddhists in Ireland and around 000 Vietnamese in the country. The first Vietnamese immigrants to the country included around 10 refugees who were admitted in 000 while fleeing communist rule in Vietnam.

“Several senior members of the community here today left Vietnam in difficult times and faced a treacherous journey in search of refuge, and I see this temple as a shining example of the good that can result, and resulted from the arrival of this community. over 40 years ago,” Chambers noted. (Irish Independent)

The first refugees were accommodated by the Red Cross in centers in Blanchardstown and Swords, suburbs north of Dublin, before finding more permanent accommodation in Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland.

Chambers continued, “Not only is it a beacon of hope, this temple is a testament and tribute to the Vietnamese community who came then and have since arrived and rallied together to build a spiritual and healing space so worthy for Vietnamese, Irish and indeed all Buddhists to share this day in the future. (Irish Independent)

The temple is housed in what was once an industrial building, which was renovated at a cost of €400 (US$000). The site will host Buddhist services every Sunday as well as holidays celebrated in the Vietnamese Buddhist calendar. The temple can accommodate up to 440 people.

"The opening of this temple is not only to save an important event for the Vietnamese Buddhist community here in Dublin in the wider region, but also for the city as a whole," Chambers said. “It represents yet another addition to the rich mosaic of religious and cultural diversity that makes Dublin and indeed Ireland such a vibrant and welcoming place. » (Irish Independent)

“It is also an opportunity for the wider community to learn a lot about the Buddhist faith in order to promote inter-religious dialogue between many religions. Buddhism has a lot to teach us all about compassion, wisdom and the interconnectedness of all things,” Chambers added. (Irish Independent)