Promoting the tradition of "good life, good religion" of Vietnamese Buddhism in the new era

Chairing the workshop “Buddhism and the Vietnamese Revolution”. *Photo: Bao Lam*

Affirming the great contributions of Vietnamese Buddhism

Speaking at the conference, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, emphasized: Buddhism has accompanied and made an important contribution to the process of building and defending the nation over the past 2,000 years. In particular, Buddhism has been closely associated with the 80-year journey of regaining freedom and maintaining independence for the nation since the August Revolution in 1945.

Under the light of Buddha's compassion and wisdom, generations of monks, nuns and Buddhists have continuously served their religion and patriotic country, demonstrating a profound spirit of engagement in the world, contributing to protecting national independence and building a peaceful, ethical and civilized society.

“In the context of the country entering a new era of development, although there is no longer the sound of gunfire, the spirit of “putting on a battle armor instead of a monk’s robe” of our predecessors is still being deeply and flexibly continued...”, Professor Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized.

Most Venerable, Dr. Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Member of the Council of Dharma Masters, Standing Vice President of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha delivered the opening speech. *Photo: Bao Lam*

Opening the workshop, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Member of the Council of Monks, Permanent Vice President of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that the workshop was not only an opportunity to look back on the heroic history of the nation, but also an opportunity to affirm and further deepen the contributions of Vietnamese Buddhism in the struggle for national liberation, national unification, and national construction and defense.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu affirmed that with the motto "Buddhism - Nation - Socialism", the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has constantly strived to promote the tradition of protecting the country and the people, accompanying the nation. Nowadays, in the context of the country's deep international integration, besides opportunities and advantages, we also have to face many difficulties and challenges. More than ever, we need to promote the strength of the great national unity bloc, in which the important role of religions, especially Buddhism...

Promoting the tradition of "good life, good religion" in the new era

At the conference, the Venerables, scientists and scholars exchanged and discussed, focusing on deepening the role and contributions of Buddhism in the struggle for national liberation, culminating in the August Revolution in 1945; affirming and promoting the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland today.

Delegates visit the photo exhibition of Buddhism accompanying the nation. *Photo: Bao Lam*

Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, emphasized the role of Buddhism in the two resistance wars against France and the US; and affirmed that today, Vietnamese Buddhism continues to promote this fine tradition, not only in guiding Buddhists in their practice but also actively participating in social security activities and building a prosperous country.

Venerable Thich Gia Quang also affirmed that the spirit of "protecting the country and people and accompanying the nation" of Vietnamese Buddhism is not an empty slogan, but a flow throughout history, closely linked to the prosperity and decline of the country. Pagodas have become spiritual supports, places to nurture morality, unite the community, and demonstrate the harmony between the compassionate teachings of Buddhism and the patriotic tradition of the nation...

Delegates at the conference also said that President Ho Chi Minh considered religion and nation to be "one family", because the ultimate goal of true religion is human happiness. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the role of Buddhism by harmoniously resolving the relationship between religion and life, placing Buddhist activities within the framework of national interests and the cause of building socialism. It is necessary to strongly spread movements such as "Buddhism accompanies the nation", "Green - clean - beautiful pagodas" and the spirit of "Living a good life, beautiful religion"...

Most Venerable, Dr. Thich Duc Thien closed the conference. *Photo: Bao Lam*

Closing the conference, Most Venerable, Dr. Thich Duc Thien, Vice President, General Secretary of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha said: With more than 170 presentations sent by Venerables, leaders, managers, scientists, scholars at home and abroad, the Organizing Committee has selected and edited them into the Conference Proceedings.

“The values and lessons learned from the Conference will be a great source of spiritual motivation, encouraging all Vietnamese monks, nuns and Buddhists at home and abroad to continue promoting the spirit of patriotism, dedication, serving humanity, living a good life and following the religion, contributing to building a peaceful , unified, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam, firmly moving towards socialism,” emphasized Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/phat-huy-truyen-thong-tot-doi-dep-dao-cua-phat-giao-viet-nam-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-713899.html