The ceremony was jointly led by Most Venerable Mahaveth Masenai, President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization (LBFO), and Venerable Master Yin Shun, Vice President of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Buddhist Association, President of the Shenzhen Buddhist Association, founder and chairman of the Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable, and abbot of Hongfa Temple in China. Lao Party and State leaders, Buddhist representatives and devotees of various ethnic groups also attended.
Addressing the gathering, Most Venerable Mahaveth highlighted That Luang stupa as one of Laos’ most revered Buddhist landmarks and a spiritual centre for Lao Buddhists. He said the joint chanting demonstrated Buddhist solidarity, compassion and commitment to peace, while encouraging mindfulness, wisdom and peaceful coexistence.
He also called for stronger understanding and cooperation among the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, guided by the principle of seeking common ground while respecting differences, to promote unity and preserve Buddhist values.
Following the chanting ceremony, the monastic leaders and international delegates led thousands of Lao Buddhist devotees in a traditional Vien Thien candlelight procession around the golden stupa.
The 11th Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable is being held in Vientiane from October 25 to 30, bringing together Buddhist representatives for religious exchange, dialogue and cultural activities.
On October 27, delegations from the 29 countries, led by Venerable Master Yin Shun, also visited the Lao Art Museum in Vientiane ahead of the roundtable’s official opening plenary on October 28.