Abstract of the doctoral dissertation by Tran Thi Hang

INTRODUCTION

 

1.The urgency of the topic

Throughout its nearly two-thousand-year existence and development in Vietnam, Vietnamese Buddhism has always been in harmonious coexistence with the nation, contributing to igniting a powerful flame of love for the homeland, the nation, and the race. The history of Vietnamese Buddhism has gone through many different periods, and in each period, although the organizational forms may differ, the overarching mission of Vietnamese Buddhism has always been "propagating the true Dharma and benefiting all sentient beings."

Organizationally, in its early days in Vietnam, Buddhism had only rudimentary religious practices, and there was no "study of scriptures or a monastic system." The subsequent periods saw the introduction and development of Zen schools, and Vietnamese Buddhism at this time mainly operated within monastic orders and ancestral temples.

Vietnamese Buddhism flourished during the Ly-Tran period. During the Tran dynasty, Vietnamese Buddhism was dominated by the atmosphere of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism. While Tran-era Buddhism in Vietnam appeared "very unified" in terms of organization, generally speaking, the various monastic orders of this period still operated independently.

In subsequent periods, Vietnamese Buddhism experienced the ups and downs of history, with periods of "boom" in the establishment of organizations, such as the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

After April 30, 1975, peace was restored, the country was unified, and North and South were reunited. This created favorable conditions for the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Association.

In fact, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, over nearly 40 years of formation and development, has achieved many remarkable accomplishments. Its organizational system has become increasingly perfected and specialized; internal activities serving Buddhist beliefs have become more systematic; and social activities have become more diversified, expanded in scope, and more effective. The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha have made a significant contribution to the current national construction and defense efforts. However, looking at the reality, it can be seen that the effectiveness of its activities is not yet truly commensurate with the scale and organization of the Sangha. With its immense potential, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha can do even better, create even greater social impacts, and its role can be further enhanced, contributing more to the cause of national construction and defense. This raises the question of how the organization and operation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha should be structured today, and how to enhance the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current context, so that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha can contribute even more to the cause of national construction and defense.

Understanding the importance of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to the development of Vietnamese Buddhism today, and recognizing the significant contributions of its activities, we wish to delve into the organizational structure and operations of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current period and related issues. Therefore, I have chosen the topic:Organization and activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church todayI chose this as the research topic for my dissertation. I hope that the research results of this dissertation will make a small contribution to the study of religion in general, and Buddhism in particular.

2. Purpose and objectives of the thesis

+Purpose of the thesisBased on theoretical and practical foundations, this thesis analyzes and clarifies the administrative organizational structure and operations of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. It also offers recommendations addressing existing issues to enhance the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current context.

+The task of the thesisTo achieve the above objectives, the thesis undertakes the following specific tasks:

• Analyzing the organizational structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Church in the current period.
• Analyzing the typical basic activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church in the current period.
• Identifying some existing problems and offering some recommendations to further enhance the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Church in the current period.

3. Subject and scope of the thesis

+The subject of the thesisVietnamese Buddhism: A study from the perspective of the organizational structure and activities of the Buddhist Church.

+Scope of the thesis:

• Time scope: This dissertation studies the organization and activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha from 2007 to the present (since 2007, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has had three administrative levels).
• Spatial Scope of Research: The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has many activities. Within the scope of this thesis, I focus on six main areas of activity: Dharma propagation, ritual activities, monastic education, guidance of Buddhist followers, social charity activities, and international relations. For convenience in developing the research for this thesis, we group these activities into categories: Buddhist activities and activities related to protecting the nation and ensuring the well-being of the people within the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

4. Contributions of the thesis

+In theory:

This dissertation contributes to further clarifying the study of religion from the perspective of religious organizations as entities.

This dissertation contributes to clarifying and highlighting the social impacts of the activities of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church, thereby better demonstrating the perspective that religion can be considered a social resource.

+In practical terms:

The recommendations presented in this thesis can contribute to further enhancing the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Church in the current period.

This dissertation can be used as a reference for research and teaching on religion in general, and Buddhism in particular.

5. Theoretical basis, research methods, research questions, research hypotheses, and research theories of the dissertation.

5.1. Theoretical basis and research methods of the thesis

+Theoretical basis of the thesis

This dissertation is completed based on the theoretical foundations of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, the viewpoints of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the policies of the Vietnamese State on belief and religion; the dissertation also draws on some scientific perspectives on religion from researchers both domestically and internationally.

+Research methodology of the thesis

This dissertation employs an interdisciplinary research approach from religious studies and several methods from other specific scientific disciplines, namely:

The structural-functional method, the specific historical method, the document synthesis method, the sociological survey and in-depth interview method, the analysis and evaluation method, etc.

5.2. Research questions, research hypotheses, and research theories of the thesis

+Research question

• What is the current organizational structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Church?
• What is the current state of the activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church?
• What needs to be done to further enhance the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in the current period?

+Research hypothesis

• The organizational structure of Vietnamese Buddhism is currently being gradually improved from the central level down to the local level.
• The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church today are relatively effective, diverse, and rich; however, they are not yet commensurate with the scale and expectations of the organization.
• The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha are having a significant impact on Vietnamese society today; therefore, it is necessary to further promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current period, contributing even more to the cause of building and protecting the nation.

+Research theory

Religion is a historical phenomenon that emerged from the dawn of human history, when humans became capable of self-awareness. Religion is also a social phenomenon with the potential for significant and lasting impact on human life. Therefore, there are many different perspectives on the understanding of religion. Regarding the organization of religion in general, and the Buddhist Church in particular, we use the following main research theories:

1. The theory of religious structure

Thus, in this definition, the religious structure refers to the following elements: belief, religious practice, and the community of believers.

Later, when studying the structure of modern religion, many researchers argued that this structure consists of: religious consciousness, religious worship, and religious organization. Thus, according to the content of the theory of religious structure, religious organization is a constituent element of modern religion.

2. The theory of religious entities:

The theory of religious entities is a theory that approaches religion from a sociological perspective. Prominent figures of this approach include M. Weber, E. Durkheim, and others.

Religion is approached from the perspective of a "social entity," stemming from two characteristics of religion: its "communal" and "social" nature.

The author agrees with the viewpoint of religious entity theory, and in his research, he applies this theory to the study of Buddhism as a social entity, in which the Church is one of the constituent elements of the religious entity.

3. The functional theory of religion

When studying religion, Marxism-Leninism points out that religion has a system of social functions, which include: the function of illusory compensation (also known as the "spiritual compensation" function); the worldview function, the regulatory function, the communication function, the linking function, etc.

This theory views social existence as a unique organic entity, with a system of components, each with a specific function, and closely interconnected to form a stable whole. Religion is a component within this current social whole, playing a specific role and having a specific function.

4. The Social Work Theory of Religion

Globally, social work has existed as an independent science for several centuries. The origins of modern social work are primarily rooted in religious-based charitable activities.

In Buddhism, several countries around the world, such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, and Thailand, have seen the emergence of various models of social work linked to Buddhism.

This theory suggests that Vietnamese Buddhism, specifically the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, can further improve its social activities and aim to build a model of Buddhist social work in Vietnam so that the contributions of Buddhist activities to social life will be greater and more profound.

6.The structure of the thesis

Besides the Table of Contents, Introduction, Conclusion, List of the author's published scientific works related to the thesis, References, and Appendices, the thesis content consists of 4 chapters and 11 sections.

 

Chapter1.

OVERVIEWRESEARCH RELATED TOTOPIC

 

1.1 History of research on the problem

1.1.1. Torganization of the Vietnam Buddhist Church

Before delving into Vietnamese Buddhism, we would like to refer to some works on the history of world Buddhism. Based on this knowledge base, we will explore the history of Vietnamese Buddhism and its organization throughout history, and make certain comparisons.

Andrew Skilton (translated by Nguyen Van Sau) (2003),An Overview of the History of World BuddhismPublished by Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House, this book is about the history of Buddhism's origins in India and the founding of the first Sangha, the development of the Sangha organization, etc., and also covers Buddhism outside India, with representative regions including Sri Lanka, Central Asia and Kashmir, China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal, Persia, and Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.

Author Doan Trung Con (2015) has a workHistory of Buddhism, Religious Publishing House. Master Sheng Yen, Master Jing Hai (2008) have worksHistory of World Buddhism, Social Sciences Publishing House. This work is a meticulous study by the authors on the origins of Buddhism, early Buddhism, and the stages of its spread and development to different parts of the world, primarily in Eastern countries.

Buddhism is a major religion in Vietnam with a large number of followers and a wide-ranging influence on all aspects of Vietnamese social life. Therefore, issues related to the history of Vietnamese Buddhism receive the attention of many researchers, and numerous major works have been produced on this topic.

The Vietnam Social Sciences Committee, Institute of Philosophy (1989) has a bookHistory of Vietnamese Buddhism, Social Sciences Publishing House; Author Nguyen Lang has a seriesVietnamese Buddhist History(3 volumes: I, II, III), this is the author's elaborate research work on the history of Vietnamese Buddhism; Author Nguyen Cao Thanh (2008) has a workAn Overview of Vietnamese Buddhism, Religious Publishing House. The work reviews important events in the process of Buddhism's introduction into Vietnam; Venerable Thich Chon Thien has a workThe Sangha during the time of the Buddha,Phuong Dong Publishing House.

The book "Memoirs of the Founding of the Vietnam Buddhist Association" (2004) by Venerable Thich Tri Hai, published by the Religious Publishing House, Hanoi, discussed the process of forming Buddhist associations and organizations before the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Association. The book also devoted a significant portion of its content to the campaign to establish the Vietnam Buddhist Association.

Vietnamese Buddhism in the 20th Century: Figures and Eventsby the collective authors Le Tam Dac and Nguyen Dai Dong (2013), National Political Publishing House, which includes specific articles on this issue such as: "The role of the Buddhist revival movement in the North in the development of Vietnamese Buddhism in the 20th century", "Looking back at the process of unifying Vietnamese Buddhism in the 20th century",... and articles about Buddhist associations before unification...

Research on the organization of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church, the book "The Vietnamese Buddhist Church from 1986 to the present" (2014) by Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, Phuong Dong Publishing House, has provided a specific picture of the formation and development process of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church from many perspectives.

Nguyen Tat Dat in the bookThe relationship between the State and the Vietnamese Buddhist ChurchThe text mentions the establishment, organizational structure, and activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church, but only superficially. The main purpose is for the author to delve into the reality of the relationship between the State and the Vietnam Buddhist Church, and to offer some lessons learned, issues raised, and recommendations for this relationship.

There are also many articles in several research journals that address this issue, such as: Thich Hien Phap (2002),The Stability and Development of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church – Current Situation and SolutionsJournal of Religious Studies, No. 5 (17), pp. 22-24.Nguyen Dai Dong (2008),Looking back at the process of unifying Vietnamese Buddhism in the 20th century., Journal of Religious Studies (No. 4)... The Standing Committee of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Association (2002) has an articleThe Vietnam Buddhist Church: 20 Years of Establishment and Development, Journal of Religious Studies, No. 1, pp. 21-22.

1.1.2. Activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church

Author Duong Quang Dien (2017) has a bookThe formation and development process of the Central Buddhist Lay Followers Guidance Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association.(period from 1981 to present), Religious Publishing House. Regarding the journalistic and media activities of Buddhism, author Nguyen Dai Dong has the following work:A Survey of Vietnamese Buddhist Press (1929 - 2008)The book clearly outlines the stages of development of Vietnamese Buddhist journalism, from its early days to the present, with comprehensive information on each step of its development, the emergence of newspapers, monthly magazines, and more.

Regarding charitable activities, there are many articles, such as:Buddhist social charity activities in relation to current social issues in Vietnam.By Duong Hoang Loc, Proceedings of the Scientific Conference on Promoting the Role of Buddhism in Socializing Social Work and Charity.

Regarding education and training, there are works such as: Hoang Van Nam (2016),Education and training of Buddhist monks and nuns in Northern Vietnam from 1981 to the present.The work delves into the educational and training issues of Buddhism, particularly in North Vietnam from 1981 (the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Association) to the present day.

1.1.3. The Role of the Vietnam Buddhist Church

Regarding the role of Buddhism in a specific historical period, there is a book...Characteristics and Role of Vietnamese Buddhism in the 20th Centuryby author Nguyen Quoc Tuan (2012), Encyclopedia Publishing House. The bookReligion in Vietnamese CultureIn a section dedicated to Buddhism in Vietnamese culture and development, author Nguyen Hong Duong analyzes and evaluates its contributions in various aspects: the ideological sphere, clearly evident and reaching its peak during the Ly-Tran period, a time when Vietnamese Buddhism flourished and formed the fundamental basis of the ideology of the Vietnamese feudal state; the literary and artistic sphere, with contributions reflected in aspects such as creative forces, genres, and content; and the architectural and sculptural sphere.

From an ethical standpoint, author Dang Thi Lan in the bookBuddhist ethics and the ethics of the Vietnamese people., 2006, National University of Hanoi Publishing House, Author Hoang Thi Lan (2001) has an articleBuddhism and the preservation and promotion of Vietnam's national cultural identity.This author also has other works.The influence of Buddhism on the Vietnamese way of life.Currently, the influence of Buddhism on the lifestyle, work methods, organization of life, customs, communication, and personality of Vietnamese people has been highlighted... Le Huu Tuan has an article:The influence of Buddhist ethics on the development of our morality today., Journal of Buddhist Studies,...

From a cultural perspective, author Nguyen Dang Duy has the following works:Buddhism and Vietnamese culture.Nguyen Hong Duong has an article:Research and application of Buddhist cultural values ​​in contemporary Vietnamese society.,...

Regarding Buddhist social charity activities, in 2017, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha jointly organized a seminar.Promoting the role of Buddhism in participating in social work and charity.The conference discussed many pressing issues such as the current state of Buddhist social charity activities, achievements and limitations in state management of this matter, etc. The conference proceedings are a very significant work both in practical and theoretical terms...

Regarding the aspect of contributing to peacekeeping, Author Thich Nhat Tu Thich Duc Thien (2014):Buddhism builds world peace.This book is the result of the International Scientific Conference: Buddhism contributes to the successful achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Buddhism, with its humanistic philosophies, has the full capacity to make a significant contribution to building world peace, healing and easing conflicts.

1.2. Comments, evaluations, and issues raised regarding the thesis

1.2.1. Comments and evaluations

Issues related to the Vietnamese Buddhist Church have been of interest to many domestic researchers and have been addressed in several research works, with the following basic results achieved:

• This overview of Vietnamese Buddhism in general highlights the significant event of establishing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, with the period since its founding in 1981 being a key part of that history.
• This overview provides a very specific picture of the process of unifying the various sects and organizations to establish the Vietnam Buddhist Association, demonstrating that it was a long and arduous process requiring immense efforts from dedicated organizations and individuals within Vietnamese Buddhism.
• Affirming the historical inevitability of the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, this event fulfilled the aspirations of the majority of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers in Vietnam at that time, and met the needs of the era for a unified and integral Vietnamese Buddhism.
• It is affirmed that the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Church has great significance for Vietnamese Buddhism in particular, and for the practical religious life in Vietnam during that period and in subsequent periods, the present, and the future.
• The works also recreated the organizational structure and some of the main activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church from its founding to the present day.
• This affirms the role of Buddhism in many aspects of contemporary Vietnamese society.

In general, each research work addresses different issues of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church from different research perspectives, such as studying the history of the Church from a historical standpoint, studying the activities of the Buddhist Church from a sociological perspective, etc. These achievements are the basic foundations for this dissertation to build upon and continue its research.

1.2.2.Issues raised for the thesis

If we consider the study of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church as a comprehensive picture, then each of the aforementioned works would be a piece, a detail in that picture. However, the Vietnamese Buddhist Church is a dynamic entity that is constantly moving and changing to achieve complete perfection; therefore, that picture is still incomplete, with gaps that need to be filled. There are still issues that need to be researched and clarified, and this thesis will focus on some of the following key issues:

- What is the current organization and operation of the Vietnam Buddhist Church?

- What are the current challenges facing the activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha? And what needs to be done to enhance the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the present period?

1.3.Some Concepts used in the thesis

In this study, the author addresses research concepts with the following meanings:

The Vietnam Buddhist Church Organization: This is a group of Buddhist followers, dignitaries, officials, and monks organized according to a specific structure, recognized by the State, to carry out Buddhist religious activities.

The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church include the propagation of Buddhism, religious activities, and the management of religious organizations.

However, in this study, we do not delve into the organizational management of the Vietnam Buddhist Church, but rather focus on the following aspects: Buddhist activities and activities related to protecting the nation and ensuring the well-being of the people.

Chapter 2.

THE CURRENT ORGANIZATION OF THE VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST CHURCH

2.1. The Formation and Development of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church Organization

2.1.1. The organizational formation process of the Vietnam Buddhist Church (from its introduction to 1980)

Even during the Buddha's lifetime, the monastic system already contained the seeds of various sects. The Buddha directly led the Sangha. The first Buddhist council in Rajagaha marked the official beginnings of the emergence of these sects. Differences in thought led to increasingly deep divisions within Buddhism in later periods.

Buddhism arrived in Vietnam around the beginning of the Western era. Therefore, a Buddhist center, Luy Lau, was established in Giao Chi very early on. However, in the first century, Buddhism in Giao Chau remained at a rudimentary level. By the second century, the monastic community in Giao Chi numbered over 500, and the first Buddhist scriptures translated and transmitted there were the Forty-Two Chapters.

By the 3rd century, Vietnamese Zen Buddhism had begun to take shape, initiated by Khương Tăng Hội (a native of Khương Cư but whose family resided in Giao Chỉ). In subsequent periods, various Zen schools flourished in Vietnam.

During the Ly Dynasty, Vietnamese Buddhism had positions such as Supreme Patriarch, Registrar of Monks, Chief Monk, and Grand Sage. These positions held organizational value for maintaining contact with the government and society. In terms of Buddhist practice, there were further hierarchical levels: abbot, ordination master, teacher, supervisor, and head monk… By the Tran Dynasty, Vietnamese Buddhism had reached its peak. “Tran Dynasty Buddhism was a unified sect, centered around Yen Tu Mountain. During the Tran Dynasty, the organization of Vietnamese Buddhism seemed very unified, as the Truc Lam Buddhist sect flourished and almost completely dominated Vietnamese Buddhism at that time.”

Generally, from the 15th to the 18th and 19th centuries, the history of Vietnamese Buddhism underwent many ups and downs. In terms of form, Buddhism's influence narrowed, especially in court life and the Vietnamese feudal dynasties. However, in essence, Buddhism found a new path: it permeated and deeply influenced the lives of the people, with the emergence of many new Zen schools such as Caodong, Linji, and Lien Thong. Particularly in the Khmer community of Southern Vietnam, Buddhism took deep root in the lives of the people, becoming a distinctive feature of Khmer Buddhism.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Buddhist Revival Movement took place in many countries around the world: Japan, China, etc. At this time in Vietnam, there were also urgent demands for a Buddhist revival movement.

For Vietnamese Buddhism, the first half of the 20th century was a period of explosive growth for organizations, each with its own unique characteristics and features.

Essentially, there can be considered four movements to establish the Vietnam Buddhist Association: the first movement in 1951, the second movement in 1957-1958, the third movement in 1964, and the fourth movement in 1981.

When the preparations were meticulously completed, and both subjective and objective factors were ripe, a momentous event for Vietnamese Buddhism unfolded as an inevitable historical event: the Founding Congress of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. With the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the organization began its development process.

2.1.2. The organizational development process of the Vietnam Buddhist Church (from 1981 to the present)

The establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in 1981 marked the beginning of the organizational development of the Vietnam Buddhist Association.

The State has recognized the legal status of the Vietnam Buddhist Church, approved its Charter, recognized the Church's assets, recognized its leadership, and created conditions for the Church to build its administrative apparatus at all levels.

The unification of Vietnamese Buddhism and the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Association was not the result of a spontaneous movement, but rather the outcome of a long process of activity, campaigning, and struggle by numerous monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers. It was the goal of the aspirations, unity, and efforts of Vietnamese Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers over a long period of time.

Currently, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is in its 8th term (2017-2022), having gone through 7 previous terms. In our research, we divide these 7 terms (numbered 1 to 7) of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha into three stages of development: the stage of building the organizational foundation, the stage of consolidating the organization, and the stage of expansion and development.

2.2. The current organizational structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Church

The composition of the Vietnam Buddhist Church includes Vietnamese Buddhist sects, monks and lay people belonging to these sects, who have joined and abide by the Charter of the Vietnam Buddhist Church.

First, vertically:To date, the organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Church has three levels:Central level; Provincial/City level; District/Town/City level (within a province).

Within the administrative structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Church, two systems of management have always coexisted: one system for leadership regarding Buddhist doctrine and precepts, and another system for administrative operation and management.

To date, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has fully established 63 provincial and city-level Executive Boards. However, many localities still face difficulties in completing the structure of the Executive Boards at the district, town, and city levels within provinces. In remote, disadvantaged, and particularly difficult areas, many provinces have yet to fully establish district-level Buddhist Executive Boards, such as Thanh Hoa, Lai Chau, and Dien Bien, among others.

Secondly, horizontally:

From a horizontal perspective, the organizational structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha consists of Committees and Institutes under the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, collectively referred to as Central Committees and Institutes. Currently, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has 13 Central Committees and Institutes. Each specialized Committee and Institute within the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has its own functions and responsibilities. Each committee can be further divided into smaller sub-committees to facilitate the implementation of activities.

2.3. The organizational role of the Vietnam Buddhist Church

This study examines the Vietnamese Buddhist Church as a social entity. This entity is part of society, situated within diverse social relationships. To understand the organizational role of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church, I investigate this role within these relationships and draw on comparisons with previous periods.

Before the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, there were many different religious organizations in Vietnam, each with its own organizational structure and relatively independent activities. Since the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, it has been the organization that manages, directs, and governs all aspects of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Regarding its relationship with government agencies and levels of administration: the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is the organization representing Vietnamese Buddhism in administrative matters with the state.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha represents Vietnamese Buddhism in international Buddhist organizations and establishes relationships with Buddhist organizations in other countries.

2.4. Organizational characteristics of the Vietnam Buddhist Church

Firstly: The Vietnamese Buddhist Church's commitment to accompanying the nation.

Secondly, the unity within the organization of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church.

Thirdly, the Vietnamese Buddhist Church's harmonious relationship with other religious organizations.

Chapter 2 Summary

The Vietnam Buddhist Association was established in 1981 and, after a period of development and growth, has now reached nearly 40 years, gradually expanding and building its organization.

The administrative structure of the Buddhist Church can be considered from two perspectives: vertical and horizontal. The vertical structure is divided into three levels: the central level, the provincial/city level, and the district/county/township level within provinces. The horizontal structure is further divided into specialized departments, each of which establishes its own vertical structure at different levels. There are close relationships between the various levels and departments of the Vietnam Buddhist Church.

Since its establishment and gradual growth, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has affirmed its role not only in Vietnamese Buddhism but also in society. This role is manifested in many aspects: its managerial and organizational role at all levels of administration, and its internal and external relationships.

The organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Church has very prominent characteristics, manifested in: its companionship with the nation, its unity, and its harmony with other religious organizations.

Chapter 3.

FUNDAMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF THE BUDDHIST CHURCH

VIETNAM TODAY

3.1.HBuddhist activitiesof the Vietnam Buddhist Church

3.1.1. Dharma Propagation Activities

Recognizing the importance of Dharma propagation, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha places great emphasis on this work.

Currently, the Buddhist propagation work of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha takes place in many diverse and rich forms and methods, such as: organizing lectures on important Buddhist occasions with large gatherings of followers, such as holidays; organizing regular lectures in lecture halls throughout the country; and combining lectures with social work such as charity. In the current period of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Buddhist propagation activities, two issues stand out and will be analyzed in more detail in this thesis: the application of modern information technology in Buddhist propagation activities in the era of Industry 4.0, and the dissemination of Buddhism to remote areas, border regions, and islands.

3.1.2. Ritual Activities

Writing about the ritual activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church, this research delves into two issues: the highlights of Buddhist ritual activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church in recent times and the issue of preserving the cultural identity of Vietnamese Buddhist rituals.

3.1.3. Educational Activities

In one of his speeches, Venerable Thich Tri Quang affirmed: "The education of monks and nuns is the most important Buddhist undertaking of the Church."

Overall, the current Buddhist education system of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is well-developed with six levels of training: Elementary Buddhist Studies, Intermediate Buddhist Studies, Advanced Buddhist Studies, Bachelor of Buddhist Studies, Master of Buddhist Studies, and Doctor of Buddhist Studies. Each level has fairly strict regulations regarding admission criteria, training programs, and training organization, demonstrating consistency and uniformity throughout the entire training system. Emphasis is placed on pressing issues such as textbook compilation and Buddhist scripture translation.

3.1.4. Activities guiding Buddhist followers

Currently, the Buddhist guidance activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha take place in many rich and diverse forms: Firstly, there are very detailed guidance activities to help Buddhist followers understand clearly and correctly the nature and meaning of Buddhist activities. Only when they understand correctly and clearly can they act correctly. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha regularly organizes training courses and retreats for monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists, organizes camps, summer camps, exam support programs, activities of Buddhist groups, and Buddhist family activities, etc.

3.2. The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in protecting the nation and ensuring the well-being of the people.

3.2.1. Activities related to protecting the nation and ensuring the people's well-being are manifested in social charity work.

Buddhism is a religion that has always supported the policies and guidelines of the Party and the State in the path of building Socialism in Vietnam.

In the spirit of Vietnamese national unity and shared ancestry, the Vietnam Buddhist Association demonstrates solidarity and harmony with other ethnic groups and minority groups.

The Buddhist Church has always been concerned with and contributed to solving social problems, aiming to bring people a more prosperous and happy life.

3.2.2. Activities related to protecting the nation and ensuring the people's well-being as manifested in international relations.

International relations are a major focus of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in the current context of strong international integration in all aspects. It can be affirmed that the VBS's international relations activities not only have diplomatic significance for the Sangha but also make an important contribution to the foreign policy of the Vietnamese State.

Summary of Chapter 3

For nearly 40 years, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has continuously improved its organizational structure and diversified its activities. Buddhism has always been intertwined with the nation, at times inspiring ideals and guiding the socialist economy and society, and always sharing in the nation's joys and sorrows. The Sangha is always a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and many monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers of the Sangha actively participate as representatives in People's Councils at all levels, contributing their efforts to serving the country and its people, bringing prosperity and happiness to the people.

The positive achievements of the patriotic religious activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Association have contributed significantly to social stability, the resolution of social problems, and the bringing of peace and happiness to the people. Buddhism has proven itself to be a close-knit religion with many noteworthy contributions to the glorious history of the nation and has played a significant role in building Vietnamese cultural identity.

From an analysis of the current activities of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church, the following observations can be drawn:

The firstThe activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church in various fields are relatively rich and diverse.

MondayThe activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church have had a certain influence on Vietnamese society in many different aspects.

TuesdayFrom the above observations, it can be concluded that religion in general, and Buddhism in particular, can be considered a force for social development.

WednesdayMeasures are needed to further enhance the effectiveness of the Vietnam Buddhist Church in order to utilize its resources more effectively in the current period of national construction and defense.

Chapter 4.

SOME ISSUES RAISED AND RECOMMENDATIONS

ENHANCE THE ROLE OF THE VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST CHURCH

CURRENT PHASE

 

4.1. Some issues facing the Vietnamese Buddhist Church today

Firstly, to improve the effectiveness of its activities, the Vietnam Buddhist Association needs to further refine its organization.

Secondly, regarding the content of the activities:

- The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Church still lack highly qualified personnel and resources to maintain stability and development.

- The activities are still mostly carried out individually and spontaneously, without a systematic approach, leading to some activities being ineffective, limited appeals for support, and small, spontaneous units resulting in poor management and low efficiency.

4.2.Some recommendations to further enhance the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Church.

First: The Vietnam Buddhist Church needsContinue to further improve the organization and enhance the effectiveness of operations to match its scale and status.

To achieve this, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha needs to implement a number of measures simultaneously, such as:

Continuing to uphold discipline and precepts, strengthen the management, supervision, and control of the activities and lives of monks and nuns to ensure compliance with the Charter of the Vietnam Buddhist Association and the laws of the State.

To improve the organization of the Church in all localities, it is necessary to further enhance the effectiveness of governance and close coordination between different levels of the Church to ensure the smooth operation of the religious administrative apparatus.

The Vietnam Buddhist Church needs to innovate its methods of operation to increase effectiveness and better suit the context of the new era.

The Vietnam Buddhist Church needs to orient its activities towards fundamental, long-term, and professional approaches.

Monday,The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha needs to further strengthen its relationship with the government, the Religious Affairs Committee, the Fatherland Front, and relevant departments at all levels.

Tuesday, We must raise public awareness of the role of religions in general, and Buddhism in particular, in the current cause of national construction and defense.

Fourth, the State needs to create more favorable conditions in terms of policies and mechanisms so that religions in general, and Buddhism in particular, represented by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, can fully play their role in the current process of national construction and defense.

Summary of Chapter 4

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, established in 1981, has nearly 40 years of development and growth. Having overcome numerous difficulties, the Sangha is now gradually improving its organizational structure and the quality of its activities. However, alongside its achievements, many challenges and problems remain, both organizationally and in terms of operations.

To enhance the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current Vietnamese social context, a concerted effort involving multiple approaches is needed: the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha must continue to improve its organization, enhance the quality of its activities, and strengthen relationships with government agencies and organizations to foster greater cooperation and support; it is also necessary to raise public awareness of the role of religion, viewing it as a resource for social development, and to provide more favorable policies and mechanisms for its activities from the State.

The recommendations presented in this thesis aim to further enhance the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current context, so that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, as the representative of Vietnamese Buddhism in all aspects, can affirm its rightful position, steer the ship of Vietnamese Buddhism to further development, and contribute more to the cause of national construction and defense in the present and future periods.

CONCLUDE

Buddhism, though an imported religion, has always integrated itself with the Vietnamese people and has now become the religion of the nation. Buddhist followers are an important part of national unity. The organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has undergone a process of formation and development that has been a continuous struggle and movement throughout the history of the nation. In 1975, with the reunification of the country and the nationwide effort to build the nation according to the socialist orientation, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha had the opportunity to fulfill its aspiration of unification in terms of will, action, and organizational leadership, while still ensuring the traditions of its sects, as well as its methods and means of practice, based on respect for and maintenance of the true Dharma. In general, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is the sole organization of Buddhist monks, nuns, and lay followers in Vietnam. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha always acts in accordance with the constitution and laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Over a period of development spanning nearly 40 years and eight Congresses, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has become increasingly refined in its organizational structure from the central level down to the local level, in both directions. The vertical structure is the administrative system: Central level – Provincial/City level – District/County/Town/City level within provinces; the horizontal structure comprises the corresponding specialized departments at each level.

As a unified organization with the ideals of enlightenment, harmony, peace, and compassionate wisdom of Buddhist teachings, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha aims to serve the nation, the Fatherland, and all sentient beings. With this responsibility, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has actively and proactively organized and participated not only in Buddhist activities but also in social activities, demonstrating its deep integration and proving the strength of spiritual unity and harmony, making practical contributions to national development. Especially in the current context, as the country is undergoing reforms and actively integrating into the international community, through its concrete activities, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha continues to contribute to the cause of national construction and defense, with the motto: "Buddhism – Nation – Socialism."