President of the Buddhist Union of France 2006-2012

VIDEOS 

Master Wang-Genh, Abbot of Ryumon-Ji Monastery was the president of the Union of Buddhists in Fance from June 2007 to May 2012. This institution ensures a line of communication between the public and the Buddhist community, representing the vast majority of Buddhist schools in France.  Outlined below are some prominent activities of the Union of Buddhists during the last few years. The most symbolic was certainly the intallation of several monuments of Shakyamuni Buddha at the Vincennes Pagoda (Paris, May 2009).

Television Broadcast on France 2 : "Vesak 2009 and Buddha Monuments" July 2009

Television Broadcast on France 2 : "The many facets of Buddhism in France" March 1st, 2009

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Television Broadcast on France 2 : "Art and Zen in Kyoto" November 20, 2008

Interview with Olivier Reigen Wang-Genh, president of the Union of Buddhists of France at an exposition in Paris with excellent coverage.

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Trip to Sri Lanka to receive a clipping from the Bodhi Tree in April 2011

A sapling of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is to be planted in Paris to mark the 2600 Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi celebrations, announced the French National Buddhist Organization in France. The Bo sapling was handed over recently to the Head of the International Buddhist Centre in France Ven. Parawahera Chandarathana Nayaka Thera by the Anuradhapura Atamastanadipathi Ven. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayaka Thera at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises in Anuradhapura.
Later Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially presented the Bo sapling to the President of the French National Buddhist Organization Ven. Oliver Wang Genh, at Temple Trees on 28 April. Head of the French Buddhist Organization said the sapling is to be planted in the organization premises in Paris. Chief Sangha Nayaka of France and the President of the Paris International Buddhist Center Ven. Parawahera Chandarathana Nayaka Thera and a large number of Maha Sangha and devotees also participated in the ceremony.
The Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is reckoned as the oldest surviving historical tree in the world. It was brought to Sri Lanka by the Theri Sangamitta, daughter of the Great Emperor of India, Asoka and the sister of Arahat Mahinda Maha Thera and was planted in the Mahamewna Park in Anuradhapura in 249 BC by King Devanampiyatissa. It is said to be the southern branch of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.
The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of the Sinhalese provides an elaborate account of the establishment of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in the island. Bodhi means wisdom that understands the four Noble Truths. Thus the tree which assisted Lord Buddha to achieve wisdom or enlightenment is called Bodhi