Summary of PhD thesis: Tran Thi Hang

INTRODUCTION

 

1.Urgency of the topic

During its existence and development for nearly two thousand years in Vietnam, Vietnamese Buddhism has always accompanied and harmoniously attached to the nation, contributing to lighting up the intense flame of love for the homeland, the country, the love for the people and the race. The history of Vietnamese Buddhism has gone through many different periods, in each period, although the form of organization was different, the consistent cause of Vietnamese Buddhism was still "propagating the Dharma, benefiting all living beings".

Regarding organization, in the early days of entering Vietnam, Buddhism only had rudimentary religious activities, and did not yet have "the study of scriptures and the system of monks". The following periods were the period of introduction and development of Zen sects. At this time, Vietnamese Buddhism mainly operated according to the organization of mountain gates and temples.

Vietnamese Buddhism flourished during the Ly - Tran period. During the Tran period, Vietnamese Buddhism was dominated by the atmosphere of Truc Lam Zen. Buddhism during the Tran period in Vietnam seemed to be "very unified" in terms of organization, but in general, the mountain gates during this period still operated independently.

In the following periods, Vietnamese Buddhism experienced the ups and downs of history. There were periods when Buddhism "exploded" in the establishment of organizations, such as the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.

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

In fact, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha over nearly 40 years of formation and development has achieved many remarkable achievements, the organizational system has been increasingly perfected and specialized; internal activities serving Buddhist beliefs have become more and more organized, social activities have also been increasingly diversified, expanded in scope, and increasingly improved in effectiveness. The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha have contributed significantly to the cause of national construction and defense in the current period. However, looking at reality, it can be seen that the effectiveness of the activities compared to the scale and organization of the Sangha is not really commensurate. With its great potential, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha can do even better, create even greater social impacts, the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha can be promoted better, and contribute more to the cause of national construction and defense. That raises the question of how the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is organized and operates today, how to promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current context, so that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha can contribute more to the cause of building and protecting the country.

Understanding the importance of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to the development of Vietnamese Buddhism today, and seeing the great contributions of the activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, we want to delve into the organizational structure, activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at the present stage and the surrounding issues. Therefore, I choose the topic:Organization and activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha todayas a research topic for my thesis. Hopefully the research results of the thesis will contribute a small part to the study of Religion in general and Buddhism in particular.

2. Purpose and tasks of the thesis

+Purpose of the thesis: Based on theory and practice, the thesis analyzes to clarify the administrative organization and operation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. At the same time, it gives some recommendations from the remaining issues to promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current new situation.

+Thesis tasks: To achieve the above purpose, the thesis performs the following specific tasks:

• Analysis of the organizational structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at present
• Analysis of typical basic activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at present
• Point out some existing problems and make some recommendations to further promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current period.

3. Subject and scope of the thesis research

+Thesis research object: Vietnamese Buddhism research from the perspective of organizational structure and activities of the Church

+Scope of the thesis:

• Time scope: The thesis studies the organization and activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha from 2007 to present (since 2007, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has three administrative levels).
• Scope of research space: The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has many activities. Within the scope of the thesis, I focus on 6 main areas of activities: Dharma propagation activities, ritual activities, monk and nun education activities, Buddhist guidance activities, social charity activities and international relations activities. For the convenience of implementing the problem to serve the research purpose of the thesis, we group the above activities into the following groups: Buddhist activities and National protection and people protection activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

4. Contribution of the thesis

+In theory:

The thesis contributes to clarifying the study of religion from the perspective of religious organizational entities.

The thesis contributes to clarifying the social impacts from the activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, thereby showing more clearly the viewpoint that religion can be considered a resource of society.

+In practice:

The recommendations made in the thesis can contribute to further promoting the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current period.

The thesis can be used as a reference for research and teaching on religion in general and Buddhism in particular.

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

5.1. Theoretical basis and research methods of the thesis

+Theoretical basis of the thesis

The thesis is completed based on the theoretical foundation of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh thought, the viewpoints of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the policy of the Vietnamese State on beliefs and religions; the thesis is also based on a number of scientific viewpoints on religion of domestic and foreign researchers.

+Research method of the thesis

The thesis uses interdisciplinary research methods of religious studies and some methods of other specific sciences, namely:

Functional structure method, Specific historical method, Document synthesis method, Sociological investigation and in-depth interview method, Analysis and evaluation method....

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

+Research question

• What is the current organizational structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha?
• How is the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha operating today?
• What should be done to further promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current period?

+Research hypothesis

• The organizational structure of Vietnamese Buddhism is currently being gradually perfected from central to local levels.
• The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha are currently taking place relatively effectively, diversely and richly, but are not commensurate with the scale and expectations of the Sangha organization.
• The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha are creating great impacts on Vietnamese society today, therefore it is necessary to further promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the current period, contributing more to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

+Research Theory

Religion is a historical phenomenon that appeared from the dawn of human history, when people were able to "be self-aware". Religion is also a social phenomenon that has the ability to have a large and long-term impact on human life. Therefore, there are many different views on the issue of religion. Regarding the issue of religious organization in general, and the Buddhist Church in particular, we use the following main research theories:

1. Theory of religious structure

Thus, in this definition, religious structure refers to the following elements: beliefs, religious practices, and communities of believers.

Later, when studying the structure of modern religion, many researchers have argued that the structure includes: 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. Religious entity theory:

Religious entity theory is a theory that approaches religion from a sociological perspective. The typical names of this approach are: M. Weber, E. Dur'kheim,…

Religion is approached from the perspective of a "social entity", originating from two characteristics of religion: "community" and "social"

The author agrees with the view of religious entity theory. In his research, the author applies research theory to the study of Buddhism as a social entity, in which the Church is one of the elements constituting the religious entity.

3. Functional theory of religion

When studying religion, Marxism and Lenin pointed out that religion has a system of its social functions, which include: the function of virtual compensation (also known as the function of "spiritual compensation"); the function of worldview, the function of adjustment, the function of communication, the function of association, etc.

This theory recognizes social existence as a special organic entity, with a system of components, each component has a certain function, and the components are closely related to each other, forming a stable whole. Religion is a component in the current social whole, it has a certain role and function.

4. Social work theory of religion

In the world, Social Work has appeared as an independent science for about a few centuries now. The origin of modern social work mainly comes from charitable activities with religious colors.

Regarding Buddhism, in some countries in the world such as the US, Japan, Korea, China, and Thailand, many social work models associated with Buddhism have appeared.

This theory shows that Vietnamese Buddhism, specifically the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, can do better in its social activities and can aim to build a model of Buddhist social work in Vietnam so that the contributions of Buddhist activities will be greater and deeper in social life.

6.Structure of the thesis

In addition to the Table of Contents, Introduction, Conclusion, List of scientific works published by the author related to the thesis, References and Appendix, the content of the thesis includes 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 Sangha

First of all, going into Vietnamese Buddhism, we would like to mention some works written about the History of World Buddhism. Based on those knowledge bases, we will study the history of Vietnamese Buddhism and the organization of Vietnamese Buddhism according to the historical flow, and have certain comparisons.

Andrew Skilton (Nguyen Van Sau translated) (2003),Overview of world history of Buddhism, Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House, the book is about the history of Buddhism's birth in India and the birth of the first Sangha, the development of the Sangha organization,... and a part about Buddhism outside India with typical regions: 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. Dharma Master Sheng Yen, Dharma Master Tinh Hai (2008) have worksHistory of World Buddhism, Social Sciences Publishing House. The work is a meticulous study by the authors on the birth of Buddhism, Buddhism in the primitive period, the steps of spreading and developing Buddhism to different lands in the world, mainly Eastern countries.

Buddhism is a major religion in Vietnam with a large number of followers, having a wide influence on all aspects of Vietnamese social life, so issues related to the History of Vietnamese Buddhism receive the attention of many researchers, revolving around this topic there are many major works:

Vietnam Social Sciences Committee, Institute of Philosophy (1989) has a bookHistory of Vietnamese Buddhism, Social Science Publishing House; Author Nguyen Lang has a set ofVietnamese Buddhist History(3 volumes: I, II, III), this is the author's elaborate research work on the issue of Vietnamese Buddhist history; Author Nguyen Cao Thanh (2008) has worksOverview of Vietnamese Buddhism, Religion Publishing House. The work reviews important events in the process of Buddhism entering Vietnam; Venerable Thich Chon Thien has a workSangha in the time of Buddha,Phuong Dong Publishing House.

The book “Memoirs of the Founding of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha” (2004) by Venerable Thich Tri Hai, published by Religion Publishing House, Hanoi, mentioned the process of forming Buddhist associations and organizations before the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. The book also devoted most of its content to the process of campaigning to establish the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

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

Researching on the organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the book "Vietnam Buddhist Sangha from 1986 to 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 Vietnam Buddhist Sangha from many perspectives.

Nguyen Tat Dat in the bookThe relationship between the State and the Vietnam Buddhist SanghaReferring to the establishment, organizational structure and operation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, however, it is still quite brief. The main purpose is for the author to delve into the current situation of the relationship between the State and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and the author also gives some lessons learned, issues raised and some recommendations for the above relationship.

There are also many articles in some research journals that mention this issue such as: Thich Hien Phap (2002),Stability and development of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - Current situation and solutions,Journal 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 Sangha (2002) has an articleVietnam Buddhist Sangha 20 years of establishment and development, Journal of Religious Studies, No. 1, pp. 21 - 22.

1.1.2. Activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

Author Duong Quang Dien (2017) has a bookThe formation and development process of the Central Buddhist Guidance Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha(period from 1981 to present), Religion Publishing House. Regarding Buddhist press and media activities, author Nguyen Dai Dong has the following works:Brief survey of Vietnamese Buddhist Press (1929 - 2008), the book writes very clearly about the development stages of Vietnamese Buddhist Press, from the early days of its establishment until now with full information about each step of development, the birth of newspapers, monthly magazines,...

About Charity Activities, there are many articles, such as:Buddhist social charity activities with current social issues in Vietnamby Duong Hoang Loc, proceedings of the scientific conference 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 Vietnamese Buddhist monks and nuns in the North from 1981 to presenty,... The work has delved into the issues of Buddhist education and training, especially in Northern Vietnam from 1981 (the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha) to the present.

1.1.3. The role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

On the role of Buddhism in a specific historical period, there is a bookCharacteristics and role of Vietnamese Buddhism in the 20th centuryby author Nguyen Quoc Tuan (2012), Encyclopedia Dictionary Publishing House. The bookReligion in Vietnamese cultureby author Nguyen Hong Duong, devoted a part to Buddhism in culture and development in Vietnam, the author analyzed and evaluated the contributions of Buddhism in many different aspects: the ideological field was clearly expressed and peaked in the Ly - Tran period, the period when Vietnamese Buddhism developed brilliantly, being the fundamental foundation of the ideology of the feudal state of Vietnam; in the field of literature and art: contributions were expressed in the aspects: creative force, genre, creative content; in the field of architecture - sculpture...

On the ethical side, author Dang Thi Lan in the bookBuddhist ethics and Vietnamese human ethics, 2006, Hanoi National University Publishing House, Author Hoang Thi Lan (2001) has an articleBuddhism and the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese national cultural identity.This author also has worksThe influence of Buddhism on the Vietnamese lifestyleNowadays, it has brought up the influences of Buddhism on the lifestyle, working methods, life organization, customs, communication, behavior, personality of Vietnamese people,... Le Huu Tuan has an article:The influence of Buddhist ethics on our moral development today, Journal of Buddhist Studies,...

In terms of culture, author Nguyen Dang Duy has works:Buddhism and Vietnamese culture,Nguyen Hong Duong has an article:Research and application of Buddhist cultural values ​​in Vietnamese society today,...

Regarding social charity activities of Buddhism, 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 the Workshop.Promoting the role of Buddhism in participating in social work and charityThe conference discussed many urgent issues such as the current status of Buddhist social charity activities, achievements and limitations in state management of this issue,... The conference proceedings are a very meaningful work both in practice and theory...

Regarding the aspect of contributing to peacekeeping, Author Thich Nhat Tu Thich Duc Thien (2014):Buddhism builds world peace, the book is the result of an international scientific conference: Buddhism contributes to the successful implementation of the UN's millennium goals, Buddhism with its humanistic philosophies has full capacity to make an important contribution to building world peace, healing and easing conflicts.

1.2. Comments, evaluations and issues raised for the thesis

1.2.1. Comments, reviews

Issues related to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha have been of interest to many domestic researchers and have been mentioned in a number of research works with the following basic results:

• Overviewing the history of Vietnamese Buddhism in general, the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is an important event. The period since the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in 1981 is a stage in that flow.
• A very specific overview of the process of unifying sects and organizations to establish the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha shows that this is a long and difficult process with great efforts on the part of dedicated organizations and individuals of Vietnamese Buddhism.
• Affirming the historical necessity of the founding of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, this event fulfilled the aspirations of the majority of Vietnamese Buddhist monks, nuns and followers at that time, and met the needs of the times for a unified and complete Vietnamese Buddhism.
• Affirmation: The birth of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has great significance for Vietnamese Buddhism in particular, the practice of religious life in Vietnam at that time and in the following periods, present and future.
• The works also recreate the organizational structure and some main activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha since its establishment.
• Affirming the role of Buddhism in many aspects of Vietnamese social life today.

In general, each research work addresses different issues of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha from different research approaches, such as studying the history of the Sangha from a historical perspective, studying the activities of the Buddhist Sangha from a sociological perspective, etc. The above achievements are the basic foundations for the thesis to inherit and continue to research.

1.2.2.Issues raised for the thesis

If we consider the study of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha as a whole picture, then each of the above works will be a piece, a detail in that picture. However, the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha is a living entity that is always moving and changing to reach complete perfection, therefore, that picture is still incomplete, there are still gaps that need to be filled. There are still issues that need to be researched and clarified, the thesis will focus on some of the following key issues:

- What is the organization and operation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha today?

- What are the current issues with the activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha? And what needs to be done to promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at the present stage?

1.3.Some Concepts used in the thesis

In this study, the author refers to research concepts with the following connotations:

Organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha: Is a group of Buddhist followers, dignitaries, officials, and monks organized according to a certain structure, recognized by the State to carry out Buddhist religious activities.

The activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha are to propagate Buddhism, practice religion, and manage religious organizations.

However, in this study, we do not go into the organizational management of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, but our activities mainly focus on the following areas: Buddhist activities and activities to protect the nation and protect the people of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

Chapter 2.

ORGANIZATION OF THE PRESENT VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST SANGHA

2.1. The formation and development of the organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

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

Since the time of the Buddha, there were already seeds of sects in his Sangha system. The Buddha was the one who directly managed the Sangha. By the time of the first council in Rajagriha, there were official signs of sects emerging. The differences in ideology led to increasingly deeper divisions in Buddhism in later periods.

Buddhism came to Vietnam around the beginning of the Christian era, so very early on, in Giao Chi, the Luy Lau Buddhist center was formed, but in the first century, Buddhism in Giao Chau was still only at rudimentary activities. In the second century, the Giao Chi Sangha had more than 500 members, the first scriptures translated and transmitted in Giao Chi were the Forty-Two Chapters.

By the third century, Vietnamese Zen had begun to be initiated and the initiator was Khuong Tang Hoi (a native of Khuong Cu but living with his family in Giao Chi). In the following periods, Zen sects in Vietnam developed strongly.

During the Ly Dynasty, Vietnamese Buddhism had the positions of Supreme Patriarch, Supreme Patriarch, Supreme Patriarch, and Grand Master. These positions had organizational value in connecting with the government and society. In the life of practicing Buddhism, it was divided into ranks: Venerable, Yết Ma, Giáo Thụ, Giám Viện, Abbot… During the Trần Dynasty, Vietnamese Buddhism had developed to its peak. “Buddhism during the Trần Dynasty was a unified sect of Buddhism and the gathering base was Yên Tử Mountain. During the Trần Dynasty, the organization of Vietnamese Buddhism seemed to be very unified, because during that period, Truc Lam Buddhism developed strongly, almost covering Vietnamese Buddhism at that time.

In general, from the 15th century to the 18th and 19th centuries, the history of Vietnamese Buddhism went through many ups and downs. In terms of form, Buddhism's scope of influence was narrowed, especially with royal life and the feudal dynasties of Vietnam. However, in essence, Buddhism found a new path: it penetrated and permeated deeply into people's lives. Many new Zen sects still appeared, such as Cao Dong, Lam Te, Lien Thong, etc., especially in the Khmer ethnic group in the South, Buddhism took deep root in people's lives, becoming a characteristic of Khmer Buddhism.

In the early 20th century, the Buddhist Revival Movement took place in many countries around the world: Japan, China,... At this time in Vietnam, there were also urgent requirements for the Buddhist Revival Movement.

The first half of the 20th century for Vietnamese Buddhism was a period of explosion of organizations, each organization born with its own characteristics and features.

Basically, it can be considered that there were four movements to establish the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha: 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 thoroughly completed, the subjective and objective factors were ripe, the great event of Vietnamese Buddhism took place as a historical inevitability, that was the event of the Congress to establish the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. With the event of establishing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha began its development process.

2.1.2. Organizational development process of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (from 1981 to present)

The founding of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in 1981 began the process of organizational development of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

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

The unification of Vietnamese Buddhism and the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is not the result of a spontaneous movement but the result of a process of activities, advocacy, and struggles of a large number of monks, nuns, and Buddhists. It is the goal of the aspirations, solidarity, and efforts of Vietnamese monks, nuns, and Buddhists for a long time.

Up to now, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is in its 8th term (2017 - 2022), so before that, the Sangha has gone through 7 terms. In our research, we divide the 7 terms from 1 to 7 of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha into three development stages: Stage of building the organizational foundation, Stage of consolidating the organization, Stage of expanding development.

2.2. Organizational structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha today

The members of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha include Vietnamese Buddhist sects, monks and lay people of Vietnamese Buddhist sects, who join and comply with the Charter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

First, vertically:Up to now, the organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has three levels:Central level; Provincial, City level; District, town, city level under province.

In the management structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, two management systems always exist in parallel, one system of leadership in terms of Dharma and precepts, and one system of administrative management and operation.

Up to now, the VBS has established 63 full-fledged provincial and municipal Executive Committees. At the district, town, and provincial city levels, many localities still face many difficulties in completing the Executive Committee structure at this level. In remote, isolated, and particularly difficult areas, many provinces have not yet fully completed the Buddhist Executive Committees at the district level, such as Thanh Hoa, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, etc.

Second, horizontally:

According to the horizontal section, the organizational structure of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha consists of the Committees and Institutes under the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, collectively referred to as the 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 organization has its own functions and tasks. Each Committee can be divided into smaller sub-committees to facilitate the implementation of activities.

2.3. Organizational role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

Researching the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha as a social entity. That entity is a part of society, located in diverse social relationships. To see the organizational role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, I study that role in relationships and based on comparisons with previous periods.

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

Regarding the relationship with departments and government levels: VBS is the organization representing Vietnamese Buddhism in administrative aspects with the state.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha represents Vietnamese Buddhism in participating in international Buddhist organizations and establishing relations with Buddhist organizations of other countries.

2.4. Organizational characteristics of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

First: The solidarity with the nation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

Second, Unity in the organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

Third, Harmony with other religious organizations of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

Chapter 2 Summary

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha was established in 1981. After nearly 40 years of development and growth, the Sangha has gradually expanded and built its organization.

Regarding the administrative organization of the Sangha, it can be considered from two aspects, vertical and horizontal. In which, the vertical is divided into 3 administrative levels: Central level, Provincial level, City level, and District, Town, City level under the province. The horizontal is divided into specialized departments, the departments also build their vertical according to the levels. Between the levels, the departments of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha have close relationships with each other.

Since its establishment and gradual growth, the VBS has affirmed its role not only in Vietnamese Buddhism but also in society. This role is demonstrated in many aspects: the role of management and organization at all administrative levels, demonstrated through the internal and external relationships of the VBS.

The organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has very outstanding characteristics, expressed in: solidarity with the nation, unity, and harmony with other religious organizations.

Chapter 3.

BASIC ACTIVITIES OF BUDDHIST CHURCH

VIETNAM TODAY

3.1.HBuddhist activitiesof the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

3.1.1. Dharma propagation activities

Realizing the importance of Dharma propagation, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha pays great attention to this work.

Currently, the Dharma propagation work of the VBS takes place in many diverse and rich forms and methods such as: organizing lectures on important occasions of Buddhism, with a large number of followers gathering such as holidays, regularly organizing lectures in lecture halls across the country, combining lectures with social work such as social charity. In the Dharma propagation activities of the VBS in the current period, two outstanding issues that the thesis will analyze in more detail are the application of modern information technology in Dharma propagation activities in the era of technology 4.0 and the issue of spreading Buddhism to remote, isolated, border and island areas.

3.1.2. Ritual activities

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

3.1.3. Educational activities

In his speech, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang affirmed: "Educating monks and nuns is the most important Buddhist work of the Church."

In general, the education work of the VBS is currently complete with 6 training levels: Elementary Buddhist Studies, Intermediate Buddhist Studies, College Buddhist Studies, Bachelor of Buddhist Studies, Master of Buddhist Studies and Doctor of Buddhist Studies. Each level has quite strict regulations on admission objects, training programs, training organization, etc., demonstrating consistency and unity in the entire training system. Focus on urgent issues: compiling textbooks, translating Buddhist scriptures, etc.

3.1.4. Buddhist guidance activities

Currently, the Buddhist Guidance activities of the VBS take place in many rich and diverse forms: First of all, there are very detailed guidance activities for Buddhist followers to clearly understand the nature and meaning of Buddhist activities. Only when they understand correctly and clearly can they do it correctly. The VBS regularly organizes training courses and retreats for monks, nuns and Buddhists, organizes camps, summer camps, exam support, activities of monasteries, activities of Buddhist families, etc.

3.2. National protection and people protection activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

3.2.1. National protection activities are reflected in social charity work.

Buddhism is a religion that always supports the policies of the Party and State on the path of building Socialism in Vietnam.

With the spirit of the Vietnamese people and race, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha shows solidarity and harmony with other ethnic groups and ethnic minorities.

The Buddhist Church always cares about and contributes to solving social problems, aiming to bring people a more prosperous and happier life.

3.2.2. National defense activities are reflected in international relations.

International relations activities are of great interest to the VBS at present, in the context of strong international integration in all aspects. It can be affirmed that the international relations activities of the VBS not only have diplomatic significance for the Church but also contribute significantly to the foreign policy of the Vietnamese State.

Chapter 3 Summary

Over the past 40 years, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has continuously improved its organizational structure and increasingly diversified its activities. Buddhism has always accompanied the nation, sometimes inspiring ideals, economic and socialist orientations, always sharing the nation's joys and sorrows. The Sangha has always been a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, many monks, nuns and Buddhists of the Sangha actively participate in the work of People's Council Delegates at all levels, in order to contribute their efforts to the work for the country and the people, bringing prosperity and happiness to the people.

The good results of the patriotic religious activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha have contributed significantly to stabilizing society, solving social problems, and bringing a peaceful and happy life to the people. Buddhism has proven itself to be a close religion, with many remarkable contributions to the heroic history of the nation and significantly contributing to building the cultural identity of Vietnam.

From the analysis of the current activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, we can draw some general conclusions as follows:

The first, the activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in various fields are relatively rich and diverse.

MondayThe activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha have had certain influences 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 resource for social development.

Wednesday, There should be measures to further improve the operational efficiency of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to better promote that resource in the current period of national construction and protection.

Chapter 4.

SOME ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

PROMOTING THE ROLE OF THE VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST SANGHA

CURRENT STAGE

 

4.1. Some issues facing the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha today

Firstly, to improve the effectiveness of its activities, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha needs to continue to further improve its organization.

Second, about the content of the activities:

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

- Activities are still mainly carried out individually, spontaneously and without a system, leading to some ineffective activities, limited support, small and spontaneous units, poor management and low efficiency.

4.2.Some recommendations to further promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

First: The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha needsContinue to further improve the organization and enhance the effectiveness of activities worthy of its scale and position.

To do this, the VBS needs to synchronously implement many measures such as:

Continue to maintain discipline and precepts, strengthen management, supervision and control of activities of monks and nuns to ensure proper implementation of the Charter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the laws of the State.

Perfecting the Church organization in all localities, it is necessary to further improve the operational efficiency and close coordination between Church levels to smoothly operate the religious administrative apparatus.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha needs to innovate its methods of operation to increase efficiency and make them more suitable to the context of the new era.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha needs to direct its activities towards fundamental, long-term, and professional aspects.

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

Tuesday, It is necessary to raise social awareness about the role of religions in general and Buddhism in particular in the cause of building and protecting the country today.

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 promote their role in the current cause of national construction and protection.

Chapter 4 Summary

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha was established in 1981 and has now been built and grown for nearly 40 years. Having gone through many difficulties, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is gradually improving its organization and the quality of its activities is increasingly improving. In addition to the achievements, there are still many difficulties and problems in both organization and operation.

To promote the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the context of current Vietnamese society, it is necessary to make efforts and implement many synchronous methods: for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, it is necessary to continue to improve its organization, improve the quality of its activities, strengthen relationships with authorities and organizations at all levels to further connect and receive more support; it is necessary to raise social awareness of the role of religion, which can be considered a resource for social development and create more favorable conditions in terms of policies and mechanisms for its activities from the State.

The recommendations made in the thesis aim to further promote 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 worthy position, steer the boat to further develop Vietnamese Buddhism, and contribute more to the cause of building and protecting the country in the current period and the following periods.

CONCLUDE

Buddhism is a foreign religion but has always blended with the nation and has now become the religion of the nation. Buddhist followers are an important part of the great national unity bloc. The organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has gone through a process of formation and development, which is also a process of continuous movement and struggle, spanning the historical periods of the nation. In 1975, the country was unified, the whole country joined hands to build the country in the direction of Socialism, the organization of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha had enough opportunity to realize the aspiration of unification from the will to act to the leadership of the organization, but still ensuring the tradition of the sect as well as the methods and means of practice on the basis of respecting and maintaining the Dharma. In general, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is the only organization of Vietnamese Buddhist monks and nuns. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha always acts according to the constitution and laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Through a development process, up to now, nearly 40 years, through 8 Congresses, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has increasingly perfected its organizational structure from the Central to the local level in both directions. The vertical direction is the system of administrative levels: Central level - Province/City - District/County/Town/City level under the province; the horizontal direction is the specialized departments corresponding to the levels.

As a unified organization with the ideal of enlightenment, harmony, peace and compassion of Buddhist teachings, aiming to serve the nation, the Fatherland and all sentient beings is the stance of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. With that responsibility, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has actively and proactively organized and participated not only in Buddhist activities but also in social activities, demonstrating the deep integration of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, at the same time demonstrating the strength of spiritual unity, harmony, and practical contributions to the cause of national construction. Especially in the current context, when the country is carrying out the renovation and proactively integrating internationally, through its specific activities, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha continues to contribute to the cause of national construction and protection, with the motto: "Dharma - Nation - Socialism".