LESSON 5: MOVEMENT OF BUDDHISM BUDDHISM IN THE WORLD - IN VIETNAM AND IN MODERN VIETNAM

UNIVERSAL BUDDHISM 2

SRAMANA=THICH THIEN HOA.

COURSE V:  HISTORY OF BUDDHISM,

10 RELIGIOUS AND UNIVERSE OF CHILDREN

Lesson 5:  MOVEMENTS TO BUDDHISM BUDDHISM
IN THE WORLD - AND IN MODERN VIETNAM.VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.

A. OPENING 

In the 18th and 19th centuries in Vietnam and in other Buddhist countries, the propagation of Buddhism seemed to lack a new life force, so it kept sinking, sinking, almost as if it was about to end. Especially when Asia first began to come into contact with the vibrant, vibrant literature of the West; the Asian peoples are "inferiority complex", said that they lost to the West in every way. Therefore, Asian peoples, especially large peoples such as India and China, abandon their father's spiritual heritage to pursue the mechanical and powerful civilization of the West. Phuong. Buddhism, like other religions in Asia, leaving only the traditional forms of worship, and its precious essence is buried deep in the forgotten dust of time. 

But after the blinding eyes of the first minutes exposed to strange light, Asians realized that Western-Western civilization was not necessarily perfect. The thinkers, philosophers, religious leaders of ethics ... after having read the method of inference, separation, scientific inquiry of the West, have returned to dig and discover what the spiritual inheritance of their fathers and their abandonment. Helping in this work, there are scientists, archeologists and anthropologists who have found a lot of concrete evidence of the true value of the Asian civilization in which Buddhism was the main motive. 

Therefore, Buddhism is given special attention. And the deeper they go into Buddhist culture, the more people (Western and Asian) are surprised by its pure, pure, pure nature. From there, a new breath of life blew up, giving the Buddhists much excitement and confidence in the sublime teachings of Guru Shakyamuni. The aura has created a Buddhist revival movement, spreading every day, initially in Asian countries, and now across the four continents. In that shared upheaval, the Vietnamese faithful have also made a worthy contribution to their merit, and can be proud that they have not forgotten their mission. 

So below, let's take a look at how the revival movement has spread over Buddhist countries, before talking specifically about the revival movement in Vietnam in the present.

B. BACKGROUND 

I. THE CONCEPT OF BUDDHISM IN INDIA AND COUNTRIES UNDER INDIA AFFECTING INDIA

1. Indian Buddhism

As we have seen in the paragraph about the history of the spread of Buddhism in India in the first article: Although it is a country of Buddhist origin, India only saw the glorious beauty of golden light in 15 centuries. head. Centuries later, Buddhism overshadowed here and made way for Brahmanism and Islam to spread to the neighboring states. 

In the 18th century, Buddhism in India was only a shadow of ancient times. But when the British began to delve into Indian culture, and were surprised to find a profound Buddhist philosophy and philosophy buried in oblivion, the British as well as the India unanimously exhorts and promotes the Buddhist revival. 

Among the first Buddhist scholars who had the initiative to build this revival movement, Mr. Rayendrachilala was the most credited. Priests were based on 144 types of Sanskrit scriptures in Népal to write the "Buddhist Literature" in Sanskrit Sanskrit. In 1888, Tien was born again to publish "skits Bat-elegant". In 1893, Sarat Chandrodas, another Indian scholar, promoted the "Study of Indian Buddhist Scriptures and the Academic Mankind". It was this research society that gathered a large number of wise members, both Indians and British, and sparked a movement to learn Buddhism in India and went to England. 

The third person of merit, who is now determined by the International Buddhist Association to celebrate the birthday of the seventh birthday (September 17, 64) around the world, is Venerable Anagarica Dharmapala. It is Venerable that the founder of the Mahabodhi (Mahabodhi) is a very powerful group in the campaign to revive Buddhism in India today. Founded in 1891, this association gradually has branches in European and American countries and neighboring India. 

Regarding the merit of Venerable Dharmapala, the resolution of the 6th International Buddhist Congress held in Nam Vang stated as follows: 

“Venerable Anagarica Dharmapala pioneered the revival of Indian Buddhism, and was also the first shaman to visit European and American countries. Thanks to that path, the new preaching work was made clear in European and American countries, as we have seen today ... ” 

At the same time, with the revival of Buddhism in India, in countries previously influenced by Indian culture and in the Theravada classes of Buddhism such as Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand ... there were also streams of birth. New atmosphere gives traditional Buddhism a new nuance, clarity and power. 

2. Burmese Buddhism

Currently in Burma, Buddhism is considered the state religion. Since 1948, after the independence withdrawal, the Burmese government that the Prime Minister (Mr. U Nu) is a Buddhist, many plans to revive Buddhism have been implemented. The government has built many Buddhist institutes throughout the country, many secondary schools, Pali universities, held catechism contests and convened many important Buddhist congresses. 

In 1954, the 6th Buddhist canonical amendment was held in Burma, with the participation of 2,500 famous monks in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Ai Lao, Thailand, India and Islam. ... to recite all the Pali texts. This is a great work not only for Burmese Buddhism but also for the world Buddhism. 

3. Sri Lankan Buddhism

Sri Lanka is also a country where Buddhism is very well-behaved. The people are mostly Buddhists. The number of monks in the country is very large and very influential in the public as well as in the government. Five years after the end of the Second World War (1950), it was Sri Lanka that first convened a World Buddhist Congress of more than 500 delegates from 26 Buddhist countries in the capital, Como. Colombo). It was during this Congress that the World Buddhist Association was established, and an Executive Committee was elected, whose President was a Sri Lankan Buddhist scholar, Doctor Malalasekera. 

4. Thai Buddhism

Like Burma, Thai Buddhism is regarded as a state religion, the High Priest (King Sai)) has a more spiritual influence and is more respected than the King. 

Currently Thailand has approximately 20,000 temples and 200,000 monks and novices. Compared to the twenty million Thai people, the number of such monks is also a very high percentage, for every one hundred people there is a monk.

But the momentum of development is still strong, massive temples are being built and many young people are following the practice of meditation in monasteries. Currently, the Thai Prime Minister has just come up with a project and has been approved by the entire cabinet to set up appropriate facilities for foreign monks to give them the means to study Buddhism. 

5. Cambodia Buddhism

Cambodian Buddhism has long been a state religion. From the capital to the remote villages, the yellow color of temples and monks' robes dazzled everywhere. The moral life and the daily life of the people have been closely matched. Just like in Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia, every year at the beginning of the rainy season, young people have a custom to enter monasteries for a period of time, long or short, at their discretion. This precious custom, not only the common people, but even the kings. 

Since independence, the Cambodian government has paid special attention to the development and revival of Buddhism. 

Following in the footsteps of Buddhist seniors, Cambodia has just held in Nam Vang the 6th World Buddhist Congress and many good results have been obtained during this conference. 

Above is an overview of the movement of reviving and developing Buddhism in Theravada or Nam-religious countries. Following this, we will comment on the Buddhist revival and development movement in Mahayana or Northern religious countries. 

II. Christianity in China and the States 

1. The Buddhist revival movement in China

As we all know, by the end of the Qing Dynasty, Buddhism in China had been greatly degraded: Superstition had seriously penetrated the Zen subjects. Monks and nuns, as well as believers few understand the sublime teachings of the Buddha, should Buddhism also be classified as a heresy that is harmful to national social life. 

The influence of Western and Western civilization began to resound in the country. A vast movement to eliminate superstitious superstition nationwide. Temples were largely converted into schools or other public works! 

Fortunately, some Chinese scholars have a national spirit, recognizing the need for a purification in Eastern civilization, to choose good ones to keep, and bad ones to leave. After that search and search, the researchers unanimously praised the noble right of Buddhism. 

Since the Tan Hoi Revolution (1912) emerged to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish the Nation, the movement of studying and studying Buddhism increased. As a result, Buddhism became successful and thrived.  

In the first few years of the Nation, Mr. Kinh Son and his comrades and lay followers stood up and founded the Chinese Buddhist Association. The laity in Shanghai also established lay laity Buddhism, Buddhist pure career commune. 

Later on, the Sangha and the laity continued to open in many places of Buddhist monasteries, or lecture halls such as the Quan Ton Pagoda Hall in Ningbo (Zhejiang), which was chaired by Lord De Nhan; in Wuchang (Hubei), there is a Buddhist academy taught by Mr. Thai Hu; In Jiangsu, there are Hoa Nghiem academy, in Nanjing, there is an internal academy taught by Au Duong Vinh Vo. 

At the same time with the establishment of the above-mentioned Buddhist schools, many Buddhist magazines of research groups have been published across the country to propagate Buddhist teachings such as Buddhism learning newspaper, Yin Dynasty, Lam La Lam san, Tinh Nguyet san san, Chi na internal science, Dread sound, Vi wonders, Buddhism new literature etc .. 

Among the proponents of the Buddhist revival movement in China, the person who had the merit and the most influential was the Thai Shaman. The shaman is a broad, highly educated monk who understands and is very enthusiastic about promoting Dharma. He went on to teach about Buddhism throughout the country and to Europe and America to introduce Mahayana Buddhism to Westerners. He wrote many books about Buddhism and advocated the Hai Dynasty as a very valuable magazine. His Buddhist activities not only exerted great influence on Chinese Buddhism but also spread to neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Japan and to Europe and America. 

2. Buddhism in Japan

Japan has been influenced by Mahayana Buddhism from China for a long time, and is the country with the strongest Buddhism among Mahayana countries. Except for some Shinto and Christian people, the majority of the people are devout Buddhists. Pagodas were built many times by kings in the past throughout the country, and today the most famous sights in Japan are famous places. The Japanese take great pride in the architecture and the grandeur of these places, so foreign visitors who come to Japan are also invited to introduce the temple scenes first. 

Regarding the doctrine, Buddhism in Japan is divided into many sects as in China. But the most popular religions are Zen Buddhism, Dharma Lotus Flower and Dharma General Buddha. 

Japanese Buddhism in the past had a very glorious achievement and is still brilliant today. During the time of contact with Western Europe, while Buddhism in the Asian countries all have a period of decline, Buddhism in Japan retains its supremacy throughout the country. And today, with a spirit of reconciliation and improvement, and survival, and modernism, Japanese Buddhism still keeps up with the nation's overall progress and keeps neighborly moral morality. in water. We are sure that, after the Asian countries in Buddhism have the opportunity to interact and sympathize with each other more, Japan will be a country worthy of taking on the task of leading the world Buddhist movement. . 

III. THE TRANSMISSION OF BUDDHISM IN THE AMERICAN COUNTRIES 

Since contact with Asia, Westerners began to study the ancient civilization of Asia and discovered that Asian culture was not as trivial as they initially mistook it, but on the contrary there are many valuable points. need learning. In that precious treasure, Buddhism radiated many brilliant radiance. As a result, Western scholars flocked to study the Buddhist doctrine and wrote many works on Buddhism. Gradually, Buddhism was not far from the masses of Europe and America. At the beginning of the Buddhist learning movement were English, German and French scholars, who were in great contact with Asia. Later, they formed Buddhist societies and published magazines about Buddhism. These societies have a great deal of enthusiastic practice members. Currently in Europe and America, almost every country has the Buddhist Association, the Buddhism propaganda press, temples or monasteries for followers or members to practice meditation. There are many sang right here in Asian Buddhist countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand to ordain. 

During world Buddhist conferences, European and American Buddhists all had their representatives and proved to be sincere Buddhists. 

These concrete evidences allow us to hope that Buddhism will expand strongly in Europe and America and give those nations a source of peace that they did not find in the mechanical civilization they had. invent. 

IV. WORLD BUDDHIST CONGRESSS 

The more humanity progresses, the faster the traffic becomes easier, so the peoples of the world are no longer strangely distant from each other. Buddhism has now become a worldwide religious activity, and Buddhists, regardless of their horizons, are brothers and sisters in the same house, worshiping a common master, the Guru Shakyamuni. The idea of ​​unifying Buddhist activities and organizations had been around since before World War II, but it was not until after World War II. 

The first World Buddhist Congress was convened in 1950 at Comobo, the capital of Sri Lanka, comprising nearly 500 representatives from 26 countries and Buddhist organizations around the world. The assembly laid the foundation for the World Buddhist Association and elected a joint executive committee for the whole Buddhist world. An internal rule of the General Conference was voted and the headquarters of the executive office was located in Cô Lô Bô. A few months after the conference, Dr. Malalasekera, President of the General Conference, visited member countries of Buddhism, and the two Buddhist magazines of the General Association published in the world: New Letter and The Buddhist World. 

From that first congress up to now, there has been another congress every two years, with the locations changing sequentially as follows: 

- In 1952, the second congress, meeting in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, whose main goal was to decide on unifying activities and forms of Buddhism in the member countries. 

- In 1954, the third congress convened in Rangoon, Burmese capital, at the same time with the VIth Tripitaka assembly, from the time of Buddha's death. 

- In 1956, the 4th congress met in Kathmandu, capital Népal, where Buddha was born. The content of this conference is to discuss Buddhist culture: philosophy, literature, art ... 

- In 1958, the Fifth Congress held in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, whose agenda was to revise the General Assembly's internal rules.

- In 1961, the Sixth Congress convened in Nam Vang, the capital of Cambodia. In this congress, 21 resolutions were approved, many of them very important, such as the development of culture and doctrine in Buddhist countries, establishing an Asian Buddhist Academy, aiming at support, providing information and materials, training cadres of Buddhist activities to protect world peace and Buddhists, etc. 

In addition to the regular festivals mentioned above, Asian Buddhist countries also compete very solemnly and invite international delegates to the 2,500-year celebrations of Buddha's passing into Nirvana, as in India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Burma, etc. 

V. THE MOVEMENT OF HUNG BUDDHISM IN VIETNAM 

1.  The development of movement in South, Central and North

Imitating the world, and especially China, a Buddhist revival movement emerged in Vietnam around 1920. At first it was the sporadic efforts of some of the elderly monks in the country, hope to keep a few neighbors of the religion. In the North, there are teachers of Vĩnh Nghiêm (Thanh Hạnh), teacher of Cộ (Phan Trung Thứ), teacher of Sở Sở (Dương Văn Hiển); in Central, there are Mr. Tâm Tịnh, Mr. Huệ Dharma, Mr. Phước Huệ; In the South, there were Mr. Khánh Hòa, Mr. Huệ Quang, Mr. Khánh Anh, and another initiative to open a school to teach a number of disciples for the purpose of breeding the Dharma for the next generation. At the same time, famous scholars in the country such as Pham Quynh, Tran Trong Kim ... also wrote many valuable research articles on Buddhist teachings. 

However, it was not until 1931 that these sporadic efforts merged into an organized force. At first, a Buddhist association was established in Saigon and named after Cochinchina to study Buddhism; next is the Buddhist Association Mesopotamia. The ones who have initiated the association are Mr. Khánh Hòa, Mr. Huệ Quang, Mr. Khánh Anh and some advanced monks and lay people. 

In 1932, during the Middle Ages, Giac Tien, Phuoc Hue and a group of newly educated laymen led by the mind of the mind Tam Minh Le Dinh Tham founded the Buddhist Studies Association, the Assembly Hall was Tu Dam Pagoda. 

In 1934, in Tonkin, there was Venerable To Lien, Venerable Tri Hai, Mr. Nguyen Nang Quoc, Tran Trong Kim, and some great virtues and laypeople who founded Tonkin Buddhism. 

The above-mentioned associations all have the same purpose and program of activities: to regulate Zen subjects, to restore the rules of the world, to train a generation of righteous, righteous, and religious youths. 

To achieve the above goal, all associations open the school. In the North, there are Sangha schools at Quan Su pagoda, Ni school at Bo De pagoda; in China, there are Buddhist institutes in Tay Thien pagoda and Bao Quoc pagoda, Ni school in Dieu Duc pagoda; in the South there is the Mesopotamian Buddhist Institute (Tra Vinh), the Ni School in Vinh Buu Pagoda (Ben Tre). 

In addition, associations also publish magazines to promote Buddhism, such as Duu Tue in the North, Vien Am in the Central, Phap Am, the Compassion, Duy Tam in the South. These associations were enthusiastically responded and expanded very quickly, and soon every province in the country had its branches. Thanks to that response, associations have built more facilities, expanded more Buddhist institutes, published more books and newspapers. 

But while the Buddhist revival movement was on the rise, the second world war broke out, and the subsequent Franco-Vietnamese war interrupted the activities of Buddhist associations in the country. 

2. Vietnam-Vietnam Buddhist Association

By 1948, although the French-Vietnamese war did not stop shooting, but because of the eagerness for the religion and to give people a comfort in the scene of the death and funeral caused by the war, the leaders Buddhism was in areas occupied by the French army, actively working to regulate and develop the facilities of war-damaged associations. 

In Hanoi, Venerable To Lien and Tri Hai, with the help of a group of devoted lay followers, revived the Buddhist revival movement and brought a new nuance, paying much attention to charitable and social partnerships, such as setting up orphanages, private, charity agencies to help war victims. 

In Hue, too, the Sangha and a group of laypeople worked together to repair the pagodas ruined by the war, and stood up to gather worshipers and friends scattered by the times. , reestablishing provincial associations, Buddhist festivals and especially developing the family of Buddhists is an organization of educating young people and Buddhists, to support Buddhism tomorrow ... 

In South Vietnam, the Sangha and laity together established the Vietnam Buddhist Association. Despite the extremely difficult circumstances, the aforementioned associations have developed quickly, strongly and gained the trust of the people in general, and especially of the Buddhists in particular. In a few years, these associations have built more clubs, opened printing houses, dispensing rooms, libraries, published speech agencies, scriptures ... 

Simultaneously with the aforementioned associations, the Sangha Churches were also organized sequentially, concentrating many talented monks, practicing and studying; and thus gained great credibility among the Buddhists, and regained the status and responsibility of the religious leadership that Buddha had entrusted. 

The laity congregations and the Sangha Churches have been rectified and have power in the North, Central and South of the three regions, but there has not been a convenient opportunity to unify the will and action, although the concept of unity It has been a long time in the minds of Buddhist leaders. 

But what must come, will come. On May 6, 1951 a national convention was convened at the Tu Dam Pagoda in Hue, consisting of 51 Sangha delegates and lay members of six groups in three regions (three Sangha groups and three lay groups. ) to establish the "Vietnam Buddhist Association" and elect the Central Executive Committee for Buddhism nationwide, or the "Administration of the Vietnam Buddhist Association". 

Currently, the Vietnam Buddhist Association is the most important organization in Vietnam, the most closely organized, in the spirit of Buddhism and gathering over one million members. 

The Vietnam Buddhist Association is also a founding member of the World Buddhist Association, founded in 1950 in Cô Lô Bô and sent delegates to attend all the meetings of the World Buddhist Association. The Vietnam Buddhist Association includes the following branches of activity: Propaganda, Education, Fine Arts, Youth, Ritual, Social Charity ... (1) 

C.  CONCLUSION

Since the time of the Buddha's birth in the Nirvana, it has been more than 25 centuries since the sun of the Dharma, though it has sometimes been passed by a dark cloud, still illuminates the whole realm. Particularly Vietnam has been shining that light to nearly 20 centuries. In Vietnamese history, the periods when Buddhism was successful were the nation with autonomy, independence and mighty power. Today, Vietnamese Buddhism has been revived, and the light has become even brighter. This is good news foretelling the people of Vietnam. 

 We firmly believe that with the current progress, the world Buddhist movement in general and Vietnamese Buddhism in particular will increase and expand even more. We have enough reason to believe so, because Buddhism is not contrary to today's science, but also a source of consolation, a necessary stream of love for humanity. . END=NAM MO SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).WORLD VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST ORDER=GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.11/1/2020.