Looking back at the role of Buddhism through 80 years of accompanying the nation

On August 25, in the solemn atmosphere of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha coordinated with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to organize a scientific conference with the theme "Buddhism and the Vietnamese Revolution" in Hanoi.

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

According to Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, with the motto "Buddhism - Nation - Socialism," the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha always strives to promote the tradition of protecting the nation and people, accompanying the nation.

In the context of the country's deep international integration, besides opportunities and advantages, there are also many difficulties and challenges. More than ever, it is necessary to promote the strength of the great national unity bloc, in which religions, especially Buddhism, continue to play an important role.

Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, also affirmed that the spirit of "protecting the country and the people, 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...

Since its introduction to Vietnam more than 2,000 years ago, Buddhism has become an indispensable part of the national culture. At the same time, history has also proven the close relationship between Buddhism and the nation in the cause of building, protecting and developing the country and its increasingly great influence on all areas of social life.

History has recorded that Venerable Thich Tri Do was one of the leading monks in spreading patriotism among Buddhists. He participated in revolutionary journalism, organized progressive Buddhist organizations, and became a delegate to the first National Assembly in 1946.

Venerable Thich Mat The published many works that aroused the spirit of national independence in Buddhism such as "Brief History of Vietnamese Buddhism" (1943), actively mobilizing monks, nuns, and Buddhists to support the Viet Minh.

Venerable Thich Thien Chieu participated in the Duy Tan movement, then sided with the national revolutionary movement, promoting the spirit of liberation through practical action.

There were also many monks who mobilized monks, nuns, and Buddhists to participate in the Viet Minh movement, especially in the Northern Delta provinces.

Speaking at the conference, 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 preserving independence for the nation since the August Revolution in the fall of 1945.”

Under the light of Buddha’s compassion and wisdom, generations of monks, nuns and Buddhists have continuously served their religion and loved their country, demonstrating a profound spirit of engagement in the world, contributing to protecting national independence and building a peaceful, ethical and civilized society. There have been many examples of monks and Buddhists “forgetting themselves and sacrificing blood for the country,” many pagodas were revolutionary bases and combat zones, and many monks were revolutionary soldiers.

Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan commented that this is a testament to the worldly involvement of Vietnamese Buddhism, the embodiment of pure Buddhist teachings, closely blending religion and life, continuing the tradition of "serving the king and helping the country" of Zen masters, monks, and Buddhists from previous dynasties.

Through two discussion sessions, delegates highly agreed on the view that Buddhism is not only a religion with a long tradition but also an important socio- political factor, accompanying the destiny of the nation, a force with a lasting role in consolidating the great national unity, protecting national independence and developing the country.

On this occasion, Quan Su Pagoda displayed an exhibition with nearly 60 historical images about "Buddhism and the Vietnamese Revolution" divided into 3 periods: Pre-uprising, two resistance wars (1945-1975), and national construction and development (from 1975 to present)./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nhin-lai-vai-tro-cua-phat-giao-qua-80-nam-dong-hanh-cung-dan-toc-post1057873.vnp