CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.2 Research Motivations
1.2.2. Buddhism and the State in Vietnam
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law. In specific, the Constitution distinguished between the four traditions as Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and other ‘non-traditional religions and sects'.
Also, Orthodox Church was made by law as the only religious organization eligible to receive state aid for “the restoration, maintenance, and protection of buildings and objects which are monuments of history and culture". The legal action brought up several discriminate issues in the society. Indeed, religious intolerance flourished among the youth groups and non-traditional religious organization. For illustration, in 2007, the Koranic commentary by Turkish theologian was banned. The ‘skin-head’
group involved to several murder of Muslim migrant workers from Africa, Central Asia.
1.2.2. Buddhism and the State in Vietnam
In Vietnam, around 700 years ago, in Tran Dynasty, the Kind decided to give up royal life to establish a new Branch of Buddhism. His name is Tran Nhan Tong. Nearly 100 years ago, when the French colonized Vietnam, hundreds of monks and nuns removed their attires, join in the Communism Party to fight for the Independent of the country.
Around 50 years ago, the Buddhist monk immolated himself in a busy road of Saigon.
He did not only protest to against the persecution of Buddhism by the South Vietnam but also protest for the unification of the Country. Several Buddhism monks inspired by Quang Duc’s illustration also immolated themselves. Around four years ago, China threatened Vietnam in Truong Sa-South China Sea, they placed oil exploration system and built up artificial islands. Immediately, a number of monks and nuns voluntary registered to build pagodas and stay on the Island. The national-religious solitary spirit has not been fade away by the cause of time.
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The prime location with numerous mineral resources made the country become a targeting pie of the ‘big power’. As a result, the history of Vietnam sticks with the continuous stories of battles. The historical-religious coincident involved with the war to against enemy invasion. Buddhism teaching was famous in Vietnam around 2000 years ago. The Buddhist practitioners were respected in the monarch system, protected through the period of colonization. In1975, having influenced by the wave of the Soviet Union and China, the religion suffered from a light change, but soon became renaissance. The first time in history, a successful unification of Buddhism across Vietnam was established, named, Vietnam Buddhism Association. In a short time after the found of only Buddhism organization in Vietnam, this religion was even promoted by the government.
As an agriculture country, the civilians depends most on nature, water, soil, weather.
They are placed in insecurity position, afraid of the flood, natural disaster, and Hurricane. Despite living under poverty condition but the nation has never thought of surrender. They use their bare feet to fight against rivals. They seem to need a deep faith, hold an empowerment to fulfill the mission. If the Buddha or God has unlimited attainment of strength, by worshiping them, the people believe they will have more energy to solve problems. The local religion in Vietnam is different from India, where they learn from Religion is to believe and accept, happy with the situation of being born. Karma is also acknowledged in this South East Asia state but has a different way to practice. In comparison with China, the religion in Vietnam also worships national heroes, similar to Guan Gong. In the local temple in Vietnam, we are easy to find National Heroes besides the Buddha. They were the real person, who by revolution, battle and strategies to relieve civilians, give them peace, give them
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wealth. In other words, they are people that have phenomenal favors for the Nation.
According to Vietnamese culture and human psychology, the fruit we have, come from the tree. Hence we must thank people, who grow the tree. Step by step, Buddhism becomes Vietnamese way to thank the invisible intimated heroes.
Apart from this local practice, another factor that scholars interested in worshipping culture in Vietnam is the feminism. In specific, Female Buddha (Guan-Ying Buddha) and female Heroes are respected equally to ‘Male' side. This is the extraordinary culture that differentiates the state character from China Confucianism and Taoism, where women do not have a voice in society or sacred places. Vietnam used to be a feminism country, where in the family, women have a responsibility to manage.
When the rivals from other country came, men were more in the advantage of battling, hence, step by step, the state transfer to masculinity culture. Nevertheless, female soldiers and leaders are equilibrium in the government. Almost temple across the country has Guan-Yin Buddha Statue. We believe in the sincerity, humanity and humble attitude of the Buddha. Hence, Buddhism stayed in people's everyday life with peace. Religious leaders are famous and talented but have never brought bad influence on politics or economy. They became a substantial motivation and a ‘fuel’
station for soldiers in the wartime. For example, master Thich Quang Duc self-immolation to enquire for the unification of North and South Vietnam has been reported by international Media. Buddhism monks remarked special relations with the country, the people, the culture, and the military.
After 1975, the ‘flourish relation' had been modified. Having little and particular impact on China and Russia once drove Vietnamese government into a dark path.
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There were not a report on the conflict between the state and religious institutions, the monk has not been eliminated from their temple as China Cultural Revolution but were not encouraged and expanded. In the meantime, the state economic, politic and society were also struggling. Uncle Ho-Ho Chi Minh once said: "We do not fight against pure religious people, we fight against people who use religion to support their opposed political motives." The protectionism in the new government was too tied to open for worship.
Around ten years later, Buddhism associations across the countries have been reunited into the only one organization. The state proposed a strategy to open border, modified foreign affair policies, and adopted economic liberalism. The whole country had one stepped ahead. Religious policies were also reviewed. In the contemporary Vietnam, Buddhism organization still keeps a unique position in the society. They delivered social services that reduce burden for the state welfare. They are peacekeeper not only for private people but also the Vietnamese migrants in foreign countries.
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