Scientific Conference and Exhibition "Documents on Buddhist Culture in Hai Phong"

Speaking at the conference, Venerable Thich Quang Tung, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Hai Phong City, said that this event has profound significance, serving as an opportunity to look back on nearly half a century of Hai Phong Buddhism's growth within the nation, and as a chance to reflect on the past, recognize the present, and look towards the future with the light of compassion, wisdom, and the spirit of engagement with the world.

"Buddhism in Hai Phong holds a very special place. Hai Phong is a port city, a gateway for trade, and a land where many layers of cultural sediment converge, where traditional and modern values ​​meet, transform, and enrich each other. In this space, Buddhism has taken root early, spread, and accompanied the lives of the people, becoming a part of the cultural memory, community ethics, and the benevolent mindset of the people of the port city. Ancient temples, statues, steles, scriptures, woodblocks, festivals, rituals, and Buddhist activities are not only religious symbols but also cultural heritage, places that preserve historical memories and nurture the humanistic identity of the community," shared Venerable Thich Quang Tung.

Venerable Thich Quang Tung delivered the opening remarks at the workshop.

In his introductory report at the conference, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, stated:The organizing committee has received 1Out of 40 papers, 120 were selected after peer review and editing.The papers were presented by scientists and experts from various research institutes, universities, and Buddhist dignitaries from within and outside the province. The content of the papers was rich, addressing many issues and topics related to the six main tenets of Buddhism in Hai Phong.

Some articles focus on the 45-year journey of Hai Phong Buddhism alongside the nation, from ideological values ​​to practical innovation; some analyze Hai Phong Buddhism in the process of national renewal, local construction and development; some delve into the spirit of protecting the nation and ensuring the well-being of the people, engaging with the world, and practicing beneficial deeds; some research architecture, festivals, cultural and spiritual life, and the relationship between Buddhism in the Eastern region, Hai Duong and Hai Phong; and some place Buddhism before contemporary issues such as the crisis of values ​​among young people, the modernization of religious institutions, and the development of human resources and the cultural environment of the port city.

From 1981 to 2026, alongside the establishment and development of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha under the motto "Buddhism - Nation - Socialism," Hai Phong Buddhism has traversed a 45-year journey of organizational stability, restoration and development of Buddhist activities, training of monks, restoration and renovation of monasteries, propagation of the Dharma, expansion of social charity activities, participation in building cultural life at the grassroots level, and strengthening national unity. It is a journey of faith, wisdom, and silent dedication; a journey of many generations of monks, nuns, and Buddhists who have brought the Dharma into life, using the well-being of humanity as the measure of the meaning of their practice and service.

"Throughout that journey, Buddhism in Hai Phong has contributed to enriching the spiritual life of the people, fostering compassion, nurturing virtuous living, promoting the tradition of remembering one's roots, mutual support, and community solidarity. Activities such as disaster relief, caring for the poor, supporting the vulnerable, building charitable houses, and participating in movements that benefit the nation and its people are vivid manifestations of the spirit of 'Buddhist teachings are inseparable from worldly affairs'," emphasized Venerable Thich Quang Tung.

According to Venerable Thich Quang Tung, the national scientific conference is a forum for Venerable monks, administrators, scientists, and delegates to objectively, comprehensively, and profoundly identify the values ​​that Hai Phong Buddhism has created over the years; to reflect on the issues arising in the new context: preserving Buddhist heritage in the face of urbanization pressures; improving the quality of Dharma propagation in the digital society; training a team of monks and nuns with moral conduct, wisdom, and service capacity; and promoting Buddhist resources in building human resources, a cultural environment, social ethics, and sustainable development of Hai Phong city…

Delegates presented their papers at the conference.

As part of the program, the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Documents on Buddhist Culture in Hai Phong" took place. The exhibition introduces to the public a rich system of documents, from materials collected abroad to woodblock printed scriptures, published monographs on Buddhism, and a system of images of Buddhist activities in Hai Phong, collected and displayed by scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. The exhibition reflects the formation and development of Buddhism in this port city. Each document is not only a historical testament but also the voice of wisdom, faith, and a long-standing cultural tradition.

Opening of the Hai Phong Buddhist photo and document exhibition.

Delegates and monks/nuns visit the photo exhibition.