Information on PhD candidate Tran Xuan Kiem's ​​LATS: Dharma propagation work and activities of Buddhist congregations in Lao Cai province today.

Information on the LATS of PhD candidate Tran Xuan Kiem

1. Full name of doctoral candidate: Tran Xuan Kiem   2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: July 22, 1982 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision on admitting doctoral students: Decision No. 2949/2021/QD-XHNV-DT dated December 28, 2021, of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.,Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in training process (if any):

7. Thesis title:Current Dharma propagation work and activities of Buddhist congregations in Lao Cai province.

8. Major: Religious Studies 9. Code: 9229009.01

10. Scientific supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh, Dr. Duong Quang Dien

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

- Research objectives:Based on theoretical and practical foundations, this thesis analyzes and evaluates the current state of Buddhist propagation and activities of Buddhist temples in Lao Cai province; clarifies the characteristics, roles, and influences of these activities in the spiritual and social life of the community, and points out achievements, limitations, and causes. From there, the thesis proposes several feasible solutions to enhance the effectiveness of Buddhist propagation and improve sustainable temple models, suitable to the cultural and ethnic characteristics of Lao Cai, contributing to the positive role of Buddhism in building cultural and moral life and sustainable development in the locality in the context of integration.

- Research subjects:Buddhist missionary work and temple activities in Lao Cai province.

- Main results of the thesis:

+ The dissertation has summarized the theoretical issues and research area. It explains the concepts, origins, and role of Dharma propagation work, as well as

This includes examining the function of Buddhist centers in Buddhist activities, while also clarifying the local factors – culture, ethnicity, and society – of Lao Cai province that influence Buddhist activities.

The thesis has analyzed and clarified the current state of Buddhist missionary work and the activities of Buddhist temples in Lao Cai province.

The thesis has identified the issues at hand and proposed solutions to improve the effectiveness of Dharma propagation and the activities of Buddhist temples in Lao Cai province today.

- Conclude

There is ample evidence to suggest that Buddhism was introduced into Vietnam harmoniously very early, especially from the late 2nd to early 3rd centuries AD, through two trade routes: with Indian merchants by sea and cultural exchange with China by land. With a history of thousands of years intertwined with the nation, Buddhism, introduced from outside, has now become Vietnamese Buddhism, affirming its role in all aspects of social life.

Ethnic minorities in Vietnam share many similarities in their cultural, socio-economic lives, as well as their beliefs, feelings, and religions. Ethnic minorities have a significant influence on the country's political and security situation. However, compared to the rest of the country, many areas with large ethnic minority populations have lower levels of education and living standards. This makes ethnic minorities in Vietnam a frequent target for hostile forces, who use religion to manipulate, entice, and bribe them to carry out subversive activities, disrupt order, insecurity, and disunity.

In the historical development of Buddhism, the introduction and growth of Buddhism in Lao Cai province cannot be overlooked. This province borders the northwestern part of Vietnam and is home to many different ethnic groups such as the Black Hmong, Tay, Red Dao, Giay, Kinh, and Xa Pho. However, with its doctrine of "adapting to circumstances and using skillful means," Buddhism has permeated the lives of the people and integrated seamlessly with the local culture, like "milk and water," fostering mutual development. Therefore, although the Lao Cai Provincial Buddhist Association was only established in recent years, it is already one of the 63 local organizations of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, actively developing and deeply engaging with ethnic communities, contributing to the unique character of Vietnamese culture. However, in the development process of a multi-ethnic locality, the issue of Dharma propagation and monastic life has many unique characteristics that need attention, especially Dharma propagation among ethnic minorities, such as the special role of rituals and charitable activities in Dharma propagation. Therefore, studying the current Dharma propagation and monastic life of Buddhism in Lao Cai province to propose practical solutions and strategies to enhance the role and resources of Buddhism in Lao Cai province in general in the task of building and developing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; and at the same time contributing to the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland in a locality in the Northwest border region is both an urgent current requirement and a long-term strategic one. In practice, Buddhism in Lao Cai province has been gradually affirming its position in many aspects of the social life of the local people. On the other hand, there are also many difficulties and challenges that require specific and coordinated plans and solutions to overcome.

12. Further research directions:

- Buddhism and social life

- Religion and the issue of ethnicity

13. Publications related to the dissertation:

1. Tran Xuan Kiem (2023), “Beliefs and major world religions in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam based on an analysis of historical, geo-economic and social characteristics”,Миссия конфессий - том(72), pp.30-37, ISSN 2499-9423.

2. Tran Xuan Kiem, Tran Thi Kim Oanh (2023), “Exploring Buddhism in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam”,Миссия конфессий - том(72), pp.38-46, ISSN 2499-9423.

3. Tran Xuan Kiem (2024), “Buddhist missionary activities in ethnic minority areas of Vietnam in Lao Cai province today”,Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities(Volume 10, Issue 4), pp. 421-432.

4. Tran Xuan Kiem (2024), Buddhist community activities in Lao Cai province today,Religious work(11), pp.49-51.

INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name: Tran Xuan Kiem

2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: July 22, 1982

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number 2949/2021/QD-XHNV-DT dated December 28, 2021 by University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic process:

7. Official thesis title: Dharma Propagation and the Activities of Buddhist Congregations in Lao Cai Province Today

8. Major: Religious Studies

9. Code: 9229009.01

10. Supervisors: Assoc. Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh, Dr. Duong Quang Dien

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

- Research Objective: Based on both theoretical and practical foundations, the thesis analyzes and evaluates the current state of Dharma propagation and the activities of Buddhist congregations in Lao Cai Province. It aims to clarify the characteristics, roles, and impacts of these activities on the spiritual and social life of the local community, while identifying their achievements, limitations, and underlying causes. From these findings, the thesis proposes feasible solutions to enhance the effectiveness of Dharma propagation and to consolidate sustainable models of Buddhist congregational activities that align with the cultural and ethnic particularities of Lao Cai. This contributes to promoting the positive role of Buddhism in building cultural and ethical life and fostering local sustainable development in the context of integration.

- Research Subject: The Dharma work propagation and the activities of Buddhist Congregations in Lao Cai Province.

Key Findings of the thesis:

+ The thesis provides an overview of the theoretical foundations and the research area. It explains the concepts, origins, and roles of Dharma propagation, as well as the functions of Buddhist congregations in religious practice. It also clarifies how local cultural, ethnic, and social factors in Lao Cai Province influence Buddhist activities.

+ The thesis offers an in-depth analysis of the current state of Dharma propagation and the activities of Buddhist congregations in Lao Cai Province.

+ The thesis identifies emerging issues and proposes solutions to enhance the effectiveness of Dharma propagation and the activities of Buddhist congregations in Lao Cai today.

- Conclusion

There is considerable evidence that Buddhism was harmoniously introduced into Vietnam at an early stage, particularly from the late 2nd century to the early 3rd century AD, through two main routes: maritime trade with Indian traders and overland cultural exchanges with China. With a history spanning thousands of years closely tied to the Vietnamese people, Buddhism-originally a foreign religion has become Vietnamese Buddhism, affirming its role across various aspects of social life.

Ethnic minority communities in Vietnam share many similarities in terms of cultural life, socio-economic conditions, beliefs, emotions, and religious practices. These communities also play a significant role in the political and security landscape of the country. However, compared to the national average, many areas inhabited by ethnic areas still experience lower levels of education and living standards. As a result, ethnic minority groups in Vietnam are often targeted and exploited by hostile forces who use religion as a means to manipulate, entice, or bribe them into engaging in subversive activities that threaten social order, national security, and solidarity.

Within the historical evolution of Buddhism, the introduction and development of Buddhism in Lao Cai Province holds a notable place. Situated in the northwestern border region of the country, Lao Cai is home to a diverse population including various ethnic groups, including the Black H'Mong, Tay, Red Dao, Giay, Kinh, and Xa Pho. With its doctrine of “skillful means adapted to circumstances”, Buddhism has gradually penetrated the daily lives of local communities, harmoniously intertwining with indigenous cultures, much like the natural blending of milk and water, thereby fostering mutual growth and development. Although the Buddhist Sangha of Lao Cai Province was established only in recent years, it has rapidly emerged as one of the 63 provincial-level organizations under the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. It continues to make significant strides in reaching ethnic minority populations, thereby contributing to the distinctiveness and vitality of Vietnamese cultural identity. However, in the course of its development within a locality characterized by ethnic diversity, Dharma propagation and the religious activities of Buddhist significant congregations in Lao Cai Province exhibit distinct features that warrant close attention—especially the propagation of Buddhism among ethnic minority communities, where rituals and charitable activities play a unique role. Therefore, conducting a comprehensive study on the current state of Dharma propagation and congregational practices of Buddhism in Lao Cai Province is essential. Such research provides the foundation for demonstrative practical and effective solutions to enhance the role and mobilize the resources of Lao Cai Buddhism in the broader mission of building and developing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. At the same time, it contributes to the national cause of construction and defense in this strategically important northwestern border region. In reality, Buddhism in Lao Cai is gradually affirming its position across various spheres of social life. However, it also faces numerous challenges and difficulties that require well-coordinated, strategic plans and solutions to overcome.

12. Further research directions

- Buddhism and Social Life

- Religion and Ethnic Issues

13. Thesis-related publications:

1. Tran Xuan Kiem (2023). “Beliefs and major world religions in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam based on an analysis of historical, geo-economic and social characteristics.”Миссия конфессий - том, Vol. 72, pp. 30–37. ISSN 2499-9423.

2. Tran Xuan Kiem, Tran Thi Kim Oanh (2023). “Exploring Buddhism in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.”Миссия конфессий - том, Vol. 72, pp. 38–46. ISSN 2499-9423.

3. Tran Xuan Kiem (2024). “Dharma Propagation Activities among Ethnic Minority Communities of Vietnamese Buddhism in Lao Cai Province Today.”Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 421–432.

4. Tran Xuan Kiem (2024). “Congregational Practices of Vietnamese Buddhism in Lao Cai Province Today.”Religious Affairs ReviewNo. 11, pp. 49–51.