The event was co-organized by the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (the focal point for implementation is the Faculty of Political Science). The workshop is a meaningful activity, part of the program of coordination between the two agencies to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2.
Organizing Committee of the Workshop "Buddhism and the Vietnamese Revolution"
The workshop was held with the aim of affirming the stature and historical significance of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, while clarifying the spiritual value of engagement and the tradition of accompanying the nation of Vietnamese Buddhism through the 80 years of revolutionary history. The plan also requires systematizing scientific arguments and historical documents on the great contributions of monks, nuns and Buddhists in the two resistance wars and in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today. From there, the workshop aims to summarize lessons learned so that the VBS can continue to promote its motto of "Dharma - Nation - Socialism".
Attending the conference's Executive Board were leaders from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. On the side of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, there were Most Venerable Dr. Thich Thanh Nhieu - Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Council; Most Venerable Dr. Thich Duc Thien - Vice President, General Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Council, Head of the International Buddhist Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. On the side of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there 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 teachers of the University's units. The conference received the enthusiastic response and participation of monks, nuns, Buddhists, scholars and the masses.
In his opening speech at the conference, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized the great role of Buddhism throughout the history of the nation, especially the examples of eminent monks and Buddhists who have contributed to the struggle for independence and the consolidation of national unity. The professor affirmed that this is an honor for the University and hopes that the conference will further clarify the historical and political values of Buddhism for the Vietnamese revolution.
Most Venerable Elder Thich Thanh Nhieu - Permanent Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha delivered the opening speech at the workshop.
At the conference, Most Venerable Dr. Thich Thanh Nhieu reviewed the tradition of “protecting the nation and bringing peace to the people” of Buddhism, from the National Masters of the Ly - Tran dynasties to the new era, when many pagodas became revolutionary bases, many monks and nuns “took off their cassocks and donned their armor” to protect the Fatherland. The Venerable affirmed that the VBS is always attached to the nation through the motto “Dharma - Nation - Socialism”.
Next, in the report introducing the Conference, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Chieu affirmed that the worldly spirit of Buddhism has met and resonated with the ideology of great solidarity and national liberation of the revolution, creating great spiritual strength. The report also raised scientific issues that need further research, such as systematizing the philosophical foundation of patriotic Buddhism, evaluating the specific contributions of monks and nuns, and proposing solutions to promote Buddhist ethical values in the new context.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Chieu - - Head of the Faculty of Political Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, reported on the conference's introduction.
The conference received a strong response from the academic community with nearly 200 papers from domestic and international researchers (China, USA, Germany, Russia, Australia, Sri Lanka...), many of which are of high quality and will be selected to be published in the Proceedings. Seven outstanding papers were presented directly at the conference, focusing on three main contents: The role of Buddhism in the success of the August Revolution and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; The contributions of Buddhist monks and followers in the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism; The spirit of Buddhism in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today.
Most Venerable Dr. Thich Duc Thien delivered the closing speech of the conference.
In his closing speech, Most Venerable Dr. Thich Duc Thien affirmed that Buddhism's companionship with the nation is a historical necessity, forged from the spirit of "Protecting the nation and protecting the people" and has deep similarities with Ho Chi Minh's thought. He suggested that Buddhist research institutions and academies should continue to deepen and incorporate the history of Buddhism's participation in the revolution into their teaching programs. At the same time, it is necessary to widely disseminate the results of the conference to foster the spirit of patriotism, engagement with the world, and service to society for the young generation of monks, nuns, and Buddhists, continuing the precious tradition of Vietnamese Buddhism in the new era.
Some pictures at the Workshop:
Overview of the Workshop “Buddhism and the Vietnamese Revolution”
