PV: Venerable, with its birth and development over thousands of years, what outstanding contributions has Buddhism made to social life?
Venerable Thich Ban Luong: According to historical documents, Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam in the first century, early in the Christian era. After more than 2,000 years of development, Buddhism has left many profound marks on the cultural, spiritual and social life of Vietnam in general and Ha Nam in particular. Accordingly, Buddhism has made great contributions to the formation and development of ethics and lifestyle. Specifically, Buddhism encourages compassion, joy, forgiveness, non-killing, truthful living and tolerance. These values contribute to the formation of the humane personality and lifestyle of the Vietnamese people; encourage a peaceful life, avoid violence, help people to be good, and reduce negative behavior. In the field of culture and art, these are architectural works, sculptures, paintings such as: pagodas, Buddha statues, Buddhist paintings..., many of which have high artistic value. Along with that, many festivals such as Buddha's birthday and Vu Lan festival also bear the mark of Buddhism, contributing to enriching the spiritual life of Vietnamese people.
PV: In that flow, in Ha Nam, Buddhism has also made very positive contributions to the development process, hasn't it, Venerable?
Venerable Thich Ban Luong: That's right. Buddhism in Ha Nam province plays an important role in the cultural, spiritual and social life of local people. In preserving and promoting cultural heritage, Ha Nam has many famous ancient pagodas bearing the mark of Buddhist history and art. Buddhism also contributes to preserving ancient architecture, traditional festivals and folk cultural values associated with Buddhist beliefs. Every year, hundreds of festivals take place in the province, including many festivals associated with pagodas, Buddhism and Buddhist beliefs.
Buddhism in Ha Nam also contributes positively to moraleducation and lifestyle. Some pagodas organize summer retreats, training and moral education for young people; monks and nuns teach about compassion, altruism, healthy lifestyles and not falling into social evils. In particular, Ha Nam Buddhism contributes positively to charity and social security work through actively organizing disaster relief activities, giving Tet gifts, building charity houses, supporting the poor, disadvantaged patients, etc. Every year, many charity programs are implemented by pagodas in coordination with local authorities, bringing practical results. Some pagodas also take in many orphans, homeless children, abandoned children, etc., helping them to be protected, cared for, educated and have a brighter future.
Ancient Buddhist relics and traditional festivals attract visitors from all over the world, contributing to promoting local tourism. Typical examples include Long Doi Son Pagoda Festival, Ba Danh Pagoda Festival, etc., which are major spiritual events associated with the culture and history of the province. Ha Nam Buddhism also actively participates in the national solidarity movement. Monks, nuns, and Buddhists actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, building cultural life in residential areas, maintaining political stability, security and order, and building a united and loving community.
PV: In recent years, Ha Nam has been the venue for a number of important domestic and international Buddhist events such as the 2019 Vesak Festival, and recently the event of welcoming and enshrining the Buddha's relics at Tam Chuc Pagoda. According to the Venerable, are these important Buddhist events taking place in the province that have special significance and bring great value?
Venerable Thich Ban Luong: The 2019 Vesak celebration held at Tam Chuc Pagoda is an important international Buddhist event with profound religious, cultural and diplomatic significance. There are three major events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni: Birth, Enlightenment and Nirvana. The Vesak celebration is an opportunity for Buddhists around the world to express their respect and gratitude to the Buddha and the teachings of compassion and wisdom that he left behind; to honor the core values of Buddhism: peace, tolerance, kindness, compassion and wisdom.
The 2019 Vesak Festival is an event recognized by the United Nations, with the participation of more than 110 countries and territories, tens of thousands of monks, nuns, Buddhists and international delegates. The event affirms the role and position of Vietnam in the world Buddhist community, as well as its active role in promoting peace, cooperation and sustainable development. Thereby, contributing to enhancing cultural exchange, inter-religious dialogue and understanding among peoples. The 2019 United Nations Vesak Festival was held at Tam Chuc Pagoda - a large spiritual project, demonstrating the intersection between tradition and modernity, imbued with Vietnamese identity, which has enhanced the position of Ha Nam province, helping Ha Nam affirm its position in the region and in the international arena. It is also an opportunity for Ha Nam to exchange with other cultures, learn and absorb humanistic and peaceful values; contributing to spreading Buddhist cultural values, developing spiritual tourism in Ha Nam. People have the opportunity to participate in international events that raise awareness of the role of culture and religion in social life.
In particular, in May 2025, within the framework of the United Nations Vesak 2025, the Buddha's relics - the national treasure of India were welcomed to Vietnam. Tam Chuc Pagoda, Ha Nam was honored to be chosen as one of the places to welcome and enshrine the Buddha's relics. This event has many profound meanings in terms of spirituality, culture and Buddhist spirit. From a spiritual and religious perspective, the Buddha's relics are sacred relics remaining after the Buddha entered Nirvana, considered a sacred symbol of enlightenment, purity and compassion. Welcoming the relics is a way to respect and show gratitude to the Buddha, while also giving people the opportunity to worship, sow good karma, increase faith and develop the mind to practice and study. This is also an opportunity to educate the community about the life, teachings and deeds of the Buddha, helping to inspire people to be good, to live according to the principles of compassion and wisdom.
The process of bringing the Buddha's relics to Vietnam demonstrates solidarity and global Buddhist cultural exchange. Tam Chuc Pagoda has been the place to host major Buddhist events, so bringing the relics here further enhances its spiritual value and symbolizes peace and solidarity. The process of bringing the Buddha's relics also contributes to raising the position of Tam Chuc Pagoda, making it a pilgrimage and worship destination for Buddhists at home and abroad.
Visiting the relics once again helps each person understand more deeply about Buddhism, about the theme of the 2025 Vesak Festival: "Solidarity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development". From honoring the life and teachings; learning about the great sacrifice to the path of practice to find the truth of the Buddha, helping each person to better understand the practice of morality, living a good life, doing charity. In the context of a world full of turmoil with wars, natural disasters and epidemics, Vesak 2025 emphasizes the spirit of solidarity, tolerance and sharing; sending a message of love, responsibility and hope to humanity in the new era. Through the light of solidarity, tolerance and wisdom, encouraging everyone to live with a heart of altruism, forgiveness and mindfulness...
During the days when the Buddha's relics were enshrined at Tam Chuc Pagoda, hundreds of thousands of tourists and Buddhists came to pay homage, bringing with them their respect, looking towards the place where the Buddha's relics were enshrined, everyone was happy and joyful. This shows that the event not only has profound spiritual meaning but also demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and mutual respect in the Buddhist community.
For over 2000 years, Buddhism has accompanied the development of the nation, and is an inseparable part of the cultural and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Buddhism helps people to be good, to live according to the principles of compassion and wisdom. Tens of thousands of monks, nuns, and Buddhists across the country as well as in Ha Nam not only diligently study and propagate the Dharma, but also constantly and actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, join hands to help compatriots in times of trouble and difficulty, do charity work... making an important contribution to the common development, helping religion and life blend together for the eternal development of the nation.
PV: Thank you very much, Venerable!
Do Hong (Implementation)
Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/van-hoa/thuong-toa-thich-ban-luong-pho-truong-ban-tri-su-giao-hoi-phat-giao-viet-nam-tinh-ha-nam-dao-phat-giup-con-nguoi-huong-thien-song-theo-dao-ly-tu-bi-tri-tue-165136.html
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