Scientific workshop 'Uncle Ho and Buddhism'

Attending the workshop on the side of the Sangha were Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu - Permanent Vice President of the Executive Council, Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Nghe An province; Most Venerable Thich Thanh Dat - Permanent Member of the Executive Council, Chairman of Science of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hanoi; Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Permanent Member of the Executive Council, Head of the Central Cultural Committee, Permanent Deputy Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Nghe An province...

Venerable Thich Tho Lac delivered the opening speech. Photo: Huu Tinh

On the Central side, there were Mr. Vu Chien Thang - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; Associate Professor, Dr. Chu Van Tuan - Director of the Institute of Religious Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

On the side of Nghe An province, there were Mr. Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders of departments, branches and sectors of Nghe An province, along with professors, doctors, researchers, scholars...

The conference is not only a forum for scientific exchange, sharing of information and documents, but also an opportunity to study and follow Ho Chi Minh's moral example, an opportunity to spread his spirit and ideology of Buddhism not only in society but also among monks, nuns and Buddhists nationwide.

In his opening speech, Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Head of the Central Cultural Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Deputy Standing Committee of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Nghe An province said: “During his lifetime, Uncle Ho clearly saw the suffering of oppressed and exploited compatriots and he also clearly saw the position and role of religion in the cause of national liberation and unification, especially with Vietnamese Buddhism - a religion that has always been closely associated with and accompanied the Vietnamese nation and people for many centuries.

This conference will focus on the study of Uncle Ho's perception, viewpoint, ideology, and behavior towards religion in general and Buddhism in particular. According to research documents, beloved Uncle Ho absorbed the quintessence of Vietnamese Buddhism and applied it in practical life.

In a letter to the Vietnam Buddhist Association on August 30, 1947, Ho Chi Minh wrote: “Since our country became a Democratic Republic, our Constitution respects freedom of belief, and Buddhism has also developed conveniently. Therefore: With independence, Buddhism can easily spread”,... and during the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, Uncle Ho sent many letters to inquire about and encourage monks, nuns, and Buddhists. He wrote: “Buddhist monks, nuns, and compatriots have made worthy contributions to the cause of building a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Vietnam”.

Mr. Vu Chien Thang - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs speaking at the workshop. Photo: Huu Tinh

The workshop focused on four main contents: Nguyen Sinh Sac and Buddhism; The influences of Buddhism on Ho Chi Minh; Ho Chi Minh's views, perceptions and behaviors on Buddhism; Current values, meanings, and suggestions for perfecting policies on religion from Ho Chi Minh's views on Buddhism.

Mr. Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee spoke at the Workshop. Photo: Huu Tinh

The Organizing Committee received 50 articles from Venerables, scientists, and researchers across the country. The articles covered many topics with rich content. Many of the articles were very elaborate, providing more information and valuable documents on the topic of Uncle Ho and Buddhism.

Leaders of Nghe An province presented flowers to congratulate the conference. Photo: Huu Tinh

In addition, the conference also received many opinions, exchanges and discussions from researchers and audiences, aiming to clarify and honor Ho Chi Minh's relationship with Buddhism, the influences of Buddhism on Ho Chi Minh's personality, thoughts and actions./.