The Tran Nhan Tong Institute of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in collaboration with the Vietnam Buddhist Association, plans to organize an International Scientific Conference:"Engaged Buddhism and Contemporary Social Issues."
1. General Information
Historically, with its compassionate and salvific ideals, the engaged spirit of Buddhism has been evident in its concern for and participation in resolving life's problems. In Vietnam, the spirit of "harmonizing with the world," engaging with the world, and harmonizing with worldly affairs to guide people's hearts and solve social and human problems has been a major trend from the Tran Dynasty to subsequent periods, contributing to the image of Vietnamese Buddhism imbued with humanistic qualities and accompanying the nation.
Entering the modern era, engaged Buddhism has truly become a trend and is increasingly widespread. In reality, while peace, national independence, democracy, cooperation, and development remain the dominant trends worldwide, human society still faces enormous challenges and potential threats to the survival of humanity. In Vietnam, the reform process has achieved historically significant accomplishments, but many social problems have also emerged and are becoming increasingly complex. In this context, the engaged approach of Buddhism and its participation in addressing social issues demonstrates both the proactive adaptation and sense of responsibility of Buddhism in a changing world, while also meeting the needs and demands of society.
However, the engaged Buddhist tendency and its involvement in addressing social issues have also sparked much debate. Significant differences exist in understanding surrounding questions such as: What exactly is engaged Buddhism? Is engagement a natural tendency stemming from the essence of Buddhism, or, conversely, is it a distortion and a damage to the true values of Buddhism? If Buddhist engagement is legitimate, how should it participate in addressing social issues, and are there any limits to this participation? Will Buddhist engagement in addressing social issues lead to conflicts and disputes with other social forces, and what are the consequences? How should the state, whether religious or secular, respond to the engaged Buddhist tendency? What are the perceptions and behaviors, both within Vietnam and other countries, of Buddhism itself and society regarding the trend of engaged Buddhism and its participation in solving contemporary social problems? Identifying and resolving issues related to engaged Buddhism objectively and scientifically is essential and will have a positive impact on both Buddhism and society.
Research on engaged Buddhism and contemporary social issues is one of the key research directions of the Tran Nhan Tong Institute at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Approaching the study of engaged Buddhism and contemporary social issues from a scientific perspective aims not only to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Buddhism, especially contemporary Buddhism, but also to provide scientific arguments for policy planning and behavioral adjustment, both in terms of perception and practice, concerning Buddhism and society, in light of the engaged nature of Buddhism and its participation in solving contemporary social problems. This will promote the values of authentic Buddhist thought and culture, fostering the mutual development of Buddhism and society.
2. Purpose of the Workshop
The firstThis involves mobilizing the intellect and dedication of the scientific community to discuss and clarify, from theoretical and cognitive perspectives, the trends and content of engaged Buddhism, as well as Buddhism's participation in solving contemporary social and human problems.Monday, promoting the finest and most virtuous values of Buddhism for the peaceful, stable, and prosperous life of people and contemporary society.TuesdayThis creates opportunities to promote dialogue and collaborative research between domestic and international scientists on Buddhist studies.
The conference will provide an opportunity for in-depth research, understanding, and exchange of ideas and dialogue on the engaged nature of Buddhism and its participation in addressing contemporary social issues, both ideologically and practically in Vietnam, the region, and the world. The conference is expected to attract many renowned scholars from the United States, France, Japan, Taiwan, etc., along with many domestic scientists interested in Buddhist studies, thereby contributing to the promotion of research and application of Buddhist ideological and cultural values to serve society and humanity. The conference is expected to have 100 scholars and guests in attendance.
3. Topics and languages used in the Workshop
The main (but not limited to) topics expected to be covered at the Workshop include:
- Engaged Buddhism and contemporary social issues - ideological and cognitive problems.
- Engaged Buddhism and contemporary social issues in the region and around the world.
Engaged Buddhism and contemporary social issues in Vietnam.
The languages used in the workshop were Vietnamese, English, and Chinese.
4. Time and location (tentative):
- Time: From December 8th to December 9th, 2017.
ButLocation: Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh.
5. Contact information:
- Email:humanisticbuddhism01@gmail.com
- Phone: 024.37675840.
Author:ussh
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