Status of Buddhism in the World (1996).VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.

Theravada Buddhism in South Asia and Southeast Asia

Sri Lanka

Currently, Buddhism is flourishing in some countries and facing difficulties in other countries. For example, Theravada Buddhism (Theravada) is the most thriving in Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka), Thailand and Burma (Burma / Myanmar), but is severely weakened in Laos, Cambodia (Cambodia) and Vietnam. From the 16th century to the 19th century, Buddhism in Sri Lanka was weakened by repression, first of the Inquisition, followed by missionaries of Christian colonial leadership. Primitive Buddhism in Sri Lanka was revived in the late 19th century, with the help of English scholars and theosophists. As a result, Sri Lankan Buddhism is sometimes described as "Protestant" Buddhism, focusing on academic research, pastoral activities of monks for lay people, and instructing walking meditation for lay people, not just for people who practice medicine. Lay people have strong beliefs, but sometimes complain about the lack of monks who have a balance between cultivation and practice.

Indonesia and Malaysia

Sri Lankan monks have been helping to restore Theravada Buddhism in Bali, other parts of Indonesia (Indonesia), Malaysia (Malaysia), where Theravada Buddhism has died since the end. 15th century. This activity has very limited scale. Interested people in Bali are traditional Balinese followers, combining Hinduism (Hinduism), Buddhism and local spiritual religion; while in other regions in Indonesia and Malaysia, responders are overseas Chinese Mahayana Buddhist communities. In addition, there are a number of small and new Buddhist sects of Indonesia, a hybrid of the trends of Theravada, Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism.

Based on the Indonesian "pancasila" policy, all religions must affirm their faith in God. Although Buddhism does not accept God as a separate individual, it is sometimes described as atheism, but Buddhism is officially acknowledged by the confirmation of A Buddha Theme (Adibuddha). Literally, this is "First Buddha," and is discussed in  blackouts Kalachakra ( The Kalachakra Tantra), which was very flourishing in Indonesia, in the past millennium. A Thought Buddha is the creator of all manifestations, beyond time, words and other limitations. Although described by a symbolic image, he himself is not a true being. A Buddha theme is more abstract and found in all sentient beings as the luminous nature of the mind. On this basis, Buddhism is accepted together with Islam (Islam), Hinduism, Catholic and Protestant forms of Christianity (Christianity), the Southern national religion. Ocean.

India

Around the 17th century, Buddhism declined gradually in the Himalayas, (Himalaya) belonging to India. However, at the end of the 19th century, with the help of British scholars, the Sri Lankan people founded the Maha Bodhi Society (Maha Bodhi Society), to restore Buddhist pilgrimage sites of India. They are very successful and there are many temples with monks living, and some other Buddhist traditions are also present in these locations.

In the 50s, Ambedkar began a new Buddhist movement in the popular class in Western India. Hundreds of thousands of people have participated, mainly to avoid stigma, because they belong to the lowest class. Their main goal is to demand political and social rights. Ambedkar died shortly after initiating this revival. Since then, this movement was led by Sangharakshita. He was an Englishman who founded the Western Buddhist Friendship Association as a new form of Buddhism, designed specifically for Western practitioners.

Thailand

In Thailand, due to the influence of the Thai monarchy model, clergy communities have a High Priest and Presbyterian Council, which is responsible for preserving the purity of tradition. There are two clergy groups, one living in the forest and one living in the villages. Both are very respected and offered by lay people. The mendicants traditionally prevail, living in isolated forests and meditating intensively. This tradition adheres to strict precepts, which are the focus of study. The monks in the village performed many rituals to benefit the local people. However, their study is mainly memorized by the shelf. In keeping with Thailand's religious beliefs, monks also provided amulets for lay people. There is a Buddhist university for clergy,

Burma

In Burma, the military regime controlled Buddhism closely through the Ministry of Religion. This regime destroyed monasteries, where people who did not submit to the regime were living, especially in northern Burma. Currently, the government is providing a large sum of money for the remaining monks to try to enlist their support, as well as to quell criticism. Burma has a long tradition of equal, balanced emphasis on meditation and study, especially on psychology, metaphysics and Buddhist ethics in "A Bhikkhu". ("Abhidharma"). Currently, many monasteries following this approach are still active, and lay people maintain great faith. Since the late 19th century, perhaps due to the influence of British colonial occupation, the country has many meditation centers, where teachers are monks and lay people,

Bangladesh

In southern Bangladesh, on the hills along the Burmese border, there are many isolated villages with a tradition of Burmese Buddhism. However, because they are separated from Burma, their level of knowledge and practice is quite low.

Laos

In Laos, Buddhism has traditionally been taught and practiced in a rural context, but monasteries fall into poverty because of the war between the US and Vietnam. Laymen in Laos still offer food to the mendicants when the teachers go begging for alms, and go to the temple on the full moon day. However, the tradition of meditation is very weak. Previously, monks had to study and teach Marxism, but now they are no longer available. People today only need to praise the communist regime to easily become a monk.

High Definition

In Cambodia (Kampuchea / Cambodia), Buddhism is reviving after Pol Pot's regime of devastation and terror, especially with the king Prince Sihanouk, restrictions are easing gradually. However, a person must be over 30 or 40 years old to be ordained, because the country needs labor force. Maha Ghosananda, the Khmer monk, studied meditation in Thailand because most meditation techniques were lost in Cambodia, and he was trying to restore meditation in Cambodia. What remains from the forest tradition in this country is related to cultivating divine powers more than meditation.

Vietnam

Although there has never been an event similar to a Cultural Revolution in Vietnam, Buddhism is still under state control. Only a few monasteries are open and people are not easily ordained. The regime was more relaxed for the monks in the North, where Buddhist academies existed simultaneously with the communists during the Vietnam War. The regime still closely monitors monks in the south.

Mahayana Buddhism in East Asia

Taiwan, Hong Kong and Overseas Chinese Area

The East Asian Mahayana Buddhist tradition originating in China is the strongest tradition in Taiwan (Taiwan), Hong Kong and South Korea (South Korea). Taiwan has strong monks and nuns and are widely supported by lay people. There are Buddhist universities and Buddhist programs for social welfare. Hong Kong also has a growing clergy community. Highlights of overseas Chinese Buddhist communities in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines (Philippines) are prayers for ancestral welfare, for the prosperity and wealth of survivors. There are many intermediate objects that Buddhist saints use to give prophecies, when these people are in a state of being in the field, and they are consulted by lay people about health and psychology. . Chinese entrepreneurs,

South Korea

Buddhism in Korea (Korea) is still strong, despite facing growing challenges from the evangelical Christian movements (Evangelic Christian). Many communities of monks and nuns receive strong support from the people. The tradition of specially developed meditation, especially Son, is a Korean Zen form. On the contrary, except for a monastery that opened in a symbolic way for propaganda purposes in North Korea, Buddhism was heavily suppressed.

Japan

Japan has many magnificent temples preserved for tourists and visitors, but many of them are commercialized. Although there are also some serious practitioners, most traditions become extremely weak and formalized. Since the 13th century, Japanese people have a tradition that the monks in the temple can marry and are not forbidden to drink alcohol. These monks gradually replaced the monastic tradition. Most Japanese follow the combination of traditional Japanese Shinto Buddhism and Taoism. They have monks who perform Shinto customs and rituals for weddings and when children are born, and Buddhist rituals in funerals, which have little understanding of these traditions. There are some changes in the application of Buddhist methods to reduce work pressure in large companies, and a large Buddhist sect of Japan has a program to build the Peace Pagodas extending around the world. In addition, there are some fanatic denominations about the end of the world, calling themselves Buddhists, but in fact there are not many related to the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Historically, some ultra-nationalist Japanese Buddhist traditions, based on the belief that Japan is a Buddhist paradise. This comes from the king's Shinto sect and the importance of depending on the country. These traditions have produced nationalist Buddhist political parties and extremist fundamentalism. Calling themselves Buddhists, but in fact there is not much contact with the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Historically, some ultra-nationalist Japanese Buddhist traditions, based on the belief that Japan is a Buddhist paradise. This comes from the king's Shinto sect and the importance of depending on the country. These traditions have produced nationalist Buddhist political parties and extremist fundamentalism. Calling themselves Buddhists, but in fact there is not much contact with the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Historically, some ultra-nationalist Japanese Buddhist traditions, based on the belief that Japan is a Buddhist paradise. This comes from the king's Shinto sect and the importance of depending on the country. These traditions have produced nationalist Buddhist political parties and extremist fundamentalism.

People's Republic of China

In Inner China, in particular the Han (Han Chinese) area of ​​China, most Buddhist monasteries were destroyed, most monks and nuns, and proficient professors were executed or imprisoned. held during the Cultural Revolution, in the 60s and 70s. However, this situation is not as bad as other non-Han areas such as Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. Xinjiang (Xinjang). Today, a large number of Han people of all ages living in Inner China are interested in Buddhism, but the main problem is the lack of professors. Many young people have been ordained, but their qualities are inferior. Most college-educated young people prefer to work and earn more money, while those who join monasteries are mostly poor and / or from less educated families, mostly from rural areas. Only a few elderly monks and nuns are qualified, who survived the communist persecution and could teach, but no one in the middle age group was able to study. In many major cities of Inner China and pilgrimage sites, there are government Buddhist universities, with a program of two to four years, in which political education is part of the program. educate. The number of Han people who have just left home to attend these courses is relatively small. Political education is part of the training program. The number of Han people who have just left home to attend these courses is relatively small. Political education is part of the training program. The number of Han people who have just left home to attend these courses is relatively small.

In general, the level of Buddhist education is very low in Han monasteries. People mainly focus on the physical restoration of Buddhism such as temples, pagodas, Buddha statues, etc. at this time. This work requires a lot of time and effort in net donation and construction. In some cases, the Chinese government is funding the reconstruction. As a result, many temples are now active as museums or tourist attractions, with monks being ticket drivers and serving. This creates a "religious freedom" appearance, an image that the Beijing government (Beijing) tries to build. However, most construction works are funded by local people, sometimes with the sponsorship of foreign sponsors, often funded by monasteries themselves. A number of ancestor worship practices were performed in the temple before the communist persecution occurred, now being restored. However, there are a few Chinese monasteries in different parts of Inner China that are active and attain some degree of study and practice.

Mahayana Buddhism in Central Asia

Tibetans Liu Vong

After the mass revolt against the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959, among Tibetan traditions in Central Asia, the most powerful is the refugee Tibetan community living around the Dalai Lama. exile in India. They rebuilt from the beginning of the majority of monasteries and some Tibetan nunnery, with a full range of traditional study programs for scholars of monks, Zen masters and professors. There are facilities for education, research and publishing to preserve every aspect of every school of Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Tibetans in exile have given life to Buddhism in the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal and Bhutan, including Ladakh and Sikkim, by sending professors and re-passing the lineage. Many monks and nuns in these regions are receiving education and training in Tibetan monasteries and nuns.

Nepal

Although the Sherpa in eastern Nepal and Tibetan refugees in Central Nepal follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the traditional form of Nepalese Buddhism still exists to a limited extent in the Newari community in the valley. Kathmandu Valley. Because they practice the mixture of Indian nuances of Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism, they are the only Buddhist society that maintains the level of distinction in monasteries. Since the 16th century, monks have been allowed to marry and have a succession of preserving temples and hosting ceremonies. Those who undertake these jobs must come from this level.

Tibet

The situation of Buddhism in Tibet, where China has divided into five provinces including Tibet, Qinghai (Qinghai), Gansu (Gansu), Sichuan (Sichuan) and Yunnan (Yunnan), is still very bleak. Of the 6500 monasteries and nuns before 1959, in addition to the remaining 150 monasteries and nunnery, all were destroyed, mostly before the Cultural Revolution. The vast majority of educated monks were executed or died in concentration camps. Most monks in general are obligated to complete. Beginning in 1979, China allowed Tibetans to restore their monasteries, and many monasteries were rebuilt. The Chinese government helped them build two or three of them, mostly due to the efforts and sponsorship of ex-monks, locals and Tibetan exiles abroad. Thousands of young people have become monks and nuns, but now the Chinese government imposes serious restrictions and restrictions again. Many police and government spies disguised themselves as monks and monitored monasteries closely. Monks and nuns often lead protests against China's persecution of human rights, demanding genuine autonomy and religious freedom.

The Chinese communist government's Buddhist control efforts have been more visible than ever in the event of finding the incarnation of the Lama Zen Committee (Panchen Lama). The First Panchen Lama, born in the 17th century, was the fifth tutor of the Dalai Lama and considered the second spiritual leader of Tibetans, after the Dalai Lama. After the Panchen Lama or Dalai Lama passed away, the chosen successor will be a child recognized as the predecessor of his predecessor. The child was found after consultation with the prophets and thoroughly examined the child's exact memory of his relatives and belongings in his past life.

Since the time of the Dalai Lama Thursday, although the Dalai Lama are both leaders of both spiritual and secular aspects of Tibet, the Panchen Lama has never played a political role. However, since the beginning of the 20th century, Chinese people have tried, but failed to divide Tibetans by supporting the Panchen Lama into a Dalai Lama's political rival.

Manchus (Manchus) in Northeast Asia, which is not part of the Han people, ruled China from the mid-17th century to the early 20th century. They tried to win the hearts of the Mongols and Tibetans to these people are influenced by their empire, by supporting outside Tibetan Buddhism, but inside are always trying to manipulate and control Buddhist organizations, moving the right center Buddhist force from Lhasa to Beijing. In the middle of the 18th century, they claimed that only the Manchurian Emperor had the right to choose and recognize the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, with a lottery system from a golden censer. The Tibetans ignored that statement, and the selection of the lama's body was always confirmed by the Dalai Lama.

The Chinese communist government has publicly acknowledged that they are atheists, who would not have intervened in religious matters and completely condemned all the policies of the previous reigning rulers. China. However, in 1995, the government announced that they were the legitimate heirs of the Manchu dynasty in order to seek and confirm the reincarnation of the tenth-year Panchen Lama, who passed away in the year. 1989. This happened shortly after the abbot of the Panchen Lama identified the place of the incarnation and the Dalai Lama formally gave confirmation to the boy. After that, the boy and his family were taken to Beijing, and since then there has been no more news. The abbot arrested and the monastery of the Panchen Lama were strictly controlled by the communists. Next, Chinese authorities ordered all senior lamas to gather in a ceremony where they had chosen an incarnation of the Panchen Lama. Later, the Chinese President met the six-year-old boy and instructed him to be loyal to the Chinese Communist Party.

Besides the Chinese government's intervention, the main problem facing Tibetan Buddhism is the lack of qualified professors. Only a few senior masters survived the persecution of the communists, and some of the existing professors only spent two or a maximum of four years of study in a very limited training program. Institutions at the Buddhist universities of the government, which were founded by the late Dalai Lama's efforts. In general, although there is more study in Inner China, many monasteries in Tibet are open as tourist attractions, monks must work as ticket agents and serve. In general, lay people have strong beliefs, but a large number of young people are falling due to unemployment, because of the huge Han immigrant population and supplies such as cheap wine and ghosts. drug,

East Turkistan (Xinjiang)

Most Kalmyk Mongol monasteries in Eastern Turkistan (Xinjiang, Xinjiang) were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Some are now rebuilt, but the lack of lecturers is even more serious than in Tibet. Young monks and nuns are very depressed because of lack of means of study and many people have left.

Inner Mongolia

However, the worst situation for Tibetan Buddhists under Chinese control is in Inner Mongolia. Most monasteries in the Western region were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In the East, the former Manchurian region, many monasteries were destroyed by Stalin's army at the end of World War II, when Russians liberated North China from Japanese occupation. Copy. The Cultural Revolution simply completed this destruction. Of the 700 monasteries formerly in Inner Mongolia, only 27 remain. However, unlike Tibet and Xinjiang, there is almost no effort to rebuild these monasteries. A large number of Han people migrated to Inner Mongolia and married local people, making most of the local Mongols, especially in cities, less interested in their language, cultural traditions or Buddhism. Some monasteries operate like tourist spots and have a small number of young monks, but they are hardly trained in the monastic class. In areas far away in the Gobi desert, one or two monasteries left with monks still perform traditional rituals, but there are no monks under seventy years old. Unlike parts of Tibet, where the prairies are fertile and nomads have the conditions to support the reconstruction of monasteries and offerings of new monks, the Inner Mongolia nomads in Gobi remain while faith is very poor. one or two monasteries left with monks still perform traditional rituals, but no monk under seventy years old. Unlike parts of Tibet, where the prairies are fertile and nomads have the conditions to support the reconstruction of monasteries and offerings of new monks, the Inner Mongolia nomads in Gobi remain while faith is very poor. one or two monasteries left with monks still perform traditional rituals, but no monk under seventy years old. Unlike parts of Tibet, where the prairies are fertile and nomads have the conditions to support the reconstruction of monasteries and offerings of new monks, the Inner Mongolia nomads in Gobi remain while faith is very poor.

Mongolia

In Mongolia (Foreign Mongolia), there are thousands of monasteries. At Stalin's order, all were partially or completely destroyed in 1937. In 1946, a monastery in the capital Ulaan Baatar was reopened as a symbol, and in the early 70s, a The 5-year college program for monks began here. The training program is very brief, emphasizing the study of Marxism. Monks are allowed to perform a limited number of rituals for the public, after the authorities have carefully questioned these people. With the collapse of communism in 1990, Buddhism revived strongly with the help of Tibetan exiles in India. Many new monks were sent to India for training and 150 monasteries were reopened or rebuilt in a modest manner, with some Tibetan professors from India. Unlike in Tibet, where former monks were forced to go back to the monastery, but only worked to rebuild and support the monastery, many former monks in Mongolia joined. the monastery is back. Since most of these monks have not given up on living at home with their wives in the evening and drinking vodka, this is a big problem regarding the precepts of monks.

However, the most serious problem facing Mongolian Buddhism today is the active missionaries of American Mormon and Christian Baptist (Baptist Christian). Initially, they came to teach English, provided money and assistance to the children of the people studying abroad in the US, if they were converted. They distribute free pamphlets, beautifully printed on Jesus (Jesus) in colloquial Mongolian, and show the film. Buddhists cannot compete with them. There are currently no Buddhist books in colloquial language, only books in classical language that few people can translate, even without the cost of printing books if they are translated. Therefore, young people and intellectuals are being drawn from Buddhism to Christianity.

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There are three traditional Tibetan Buddhist areas in Russia: Buryatia in Siberia near Lake Baikal, Tuva is also in Siberia, to the north of West Mongolia, and Kalmykia to the northwest of the Caspian Sea. Buryats and Kalmyk are Mongolians, and the Tuvinians are Turks. Except for the Buryatia region where only three monasteries were damaged, the entire monastery in the other regions was destroyed by Stalin in the late 30s. In the late 40s, Stalin reopened two symbolic monasteries in Buryatia, below. strict monitoring of the KGB. The monks have finished wearing robes like daytime uniforms and performing some rituals. Some monks study at colleges in Mongolia. After the collapse of communism in 1990, Buddhism revived strongly in all three regions. Tibetans in exile have sent professors and young monks who are studying in Tibetan monasteries in India. Currently, seventeen monasteries are rebuilt in Buryatia. Like in Mongolia, Russia also has problems with alcohol and former monks have had wives. But unlike Mongolia, the monks here do not claim to be monks living alone. Many plans are underway to open monasteries in Kalmykia and Tuva. Christian missionaries are active in all three areas, but not as strong as in Mongolia.

Asians from other Buddhist traditions are also very interested in Tibetan Buddhism. Many Tibetan masters from the exile community in India have been invited to lecture in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. It is recognized that the clear explanation of Buddha's teaching in Tibetan tradition is a useful complement to their own understanding of tradition. Sophisticated Tibetan rituals to create prosperity and health also attract people.

Nations Do Not Follow Traditional Buddhism

All forms of Buddhism are also found worldwide, in countries that do not follow traditional Buddhism. There are two main groups, including: Asian immigrants and non-Asian practitioners. Asian immigrants, especially in the United States and Australia, have many national temples. Canada, Brazil (Brazil), Peru and some Western European countries, especially France, are also in this case, but the size of ethnic temples is smaller. The focus is on practicing piety and having a community center to help immigrant communities maintain their own culture and national identity.

The "Dharma Center" of all traditions is now found in more than eighty countries in the world, on every continent. Most people who come to these centers are not Asians, and Buddhist centers focus on meditation, study and practice rituals. Most of these centers come from Tibetan, Zen and Primitive traditions. Teachers at these centers include Westerners and Buddhists from Asia. The largest number of Buddhist centers is found in the United States, France and Germany. Strict practitioners often go to Asia to study at a deeper level. Moreover, there are Buddhist studies programs at many universities around the world, dialogues as well as exchange ideas between Buddhism and other religions, between Buddhism and the sciences and the mind. physics and medicine have increased.END=NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.25/2/2019.