The event was co-organized by the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (with the Political Science Faculty as the implementing agency). The seminar was a meaningful activity, part of the collaborative program between the two institutions to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd.
Presiding Committee of the Conference “Buddhism and the Vietnamese Revolution”
The conference was launched with the goal of affirming the historical significance and importance of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, while clarifying the value of the engaged spirit and the tradition of accompanying the nation of Vietnamese Buddhism throughout 80 years of revolutionary history. The plan also aims to systematize scientific arguments and historical documents on the immense contributions of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers in the two resistance wars and in the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland today. From there, the conference aims to draw lessons learned for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to continue to promote its activities according to the motto "Buddhism - Nation - Socialism".
The workshop's organizing committee included leaders from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Representing the VBS were Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, PhD - Standing Vice Chairman of the VBS Executive Council; and Venerable Thich Duc Thien, PhD - Vice Chairman, General Secretary of the Executive Council, and Head of the VBS International Buddhist Affairs Committee. Representing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hong Son - Vice Rector; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Chieu - Head of the Faculty of Political Science; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truong Giang - Head of the Faculty of Anthropology and Religious Studies, along with leaders, staff, and faculty members from various units of the University. The workshop received enthusiastic participation from monks, nuns, Buddhists, scholars, and the general public.
In his opening remarks at the conference, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized the immense role of Buddhism throughout the nation's history, particularly the exemplary contributions of high-ranking monks and Buddhist followers to the struggle for independence and the consolidation of national unity. The professor affirmed that this was an honor for the university and expressed his hope that the conference would further clarify the historical and political values of Buddhism in relation to the Vietnamese revolution.
Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, delivered the opening speech at the workshop.
At the seminar, Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, PhD, reviewed the Buddhist tradition of "protecting the nation and ensuring the people's well-being," from the National Masters of the Ly and Tran dynasties to the modern era, when many temples became revolutionary bases, and many monks and nuns "took off their robes and donned military uniforms" to defend the Fatherland. The Venerable affirmed that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has always been closely connected to the nation through the motto "Buddhism - Nation - Socialism."
Next, in his introductory report to the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Chieu affirmed that the engaged spirit of Buddhism met and resonated with the revolutionary ideals of national unity and liberation, creating immense spiritual strength. The report also raised scientific issues requiring further research, such as systematizing the philosophical basis of patriotic Buddhism, evaluating the specific contributions of monks and nuns, and proposing solutions to promote the ethical values of Buddhism in the new context.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Chieu - Head of the Department of Political Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, presented the introductory report at the conference.
The conference received a strong response from the academic community with nearly 200 papers from domestic and international researchers (China, the US, Germany, Russia, Australia, Sri Lanka, etc.), many of which are high-quality papers that will be selected for publication in the proceedings. Seven outstanding papers were presented directly at the conference, focusing on three main themes: The role of Buddhism in the success of the August Revolution and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; The contributions of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers in the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism; and The engaged spirit of Buddhism in the cause of national construction and defense today.
Venerable Thich Duc Thien, PhD, delivered the closing remarks at the conference.
In his closing remarks, Venerable Thich Duc Thien, PhD, affirmed that Buddhism's companionship with the nation is a historical necessity, forged from the spirit of "protecting the nation and ensuring the people's well-being," and deeply similar to Ho Chi Minh's thought. He suggested that Buddhist research institutions and academies should continue to delve deeper into and incorporate the history of Buddhism's participation in the revolution into their curricula. At the same time, he emphasized the need to widely disseminate the conference's findings to foster patriotism, engagement with the world, and service to society among young monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers, continuing the precious tradition of Vietnamese Buddhism in the new era.
Here are some photos from the workshop:
Overview of the seminar "Buddhism and the Vietnamese Revolution"
