The voice of a respected person

In many communes and wards with large Khmer populations, grassroots mediation is considered one of the important solutions to maintain national unity. The voices of respected individuals always serve as a unifying force, helping to resolve conflicts.

As the afternoon sun sets over the fields of the Thất Sơn region, the bells of Mỹ Á Pagoda in Chi Lăng ward resonate in the peaceful atmosphere. For the Khmer people here, the pagoda is a spiritual sanctuary, a source of support, and a place to entrust their faith in life. In this setting, Venerable Chau Cắt – Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of An Giang Province, and Abbot of Mỹ Á Pagoda – is regarded by the Khmer people as a "tall and mighty figure."

Mr. Ly Van Kho (second from the right) and police officers are promoting and encouraging local people to comply with the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws. Photo: DANH THANH

Having been devoted to the temple since the age of 7, Venerable Chau Cat has dedicated his entire life to the path of Buddhist practice. For many years, he has diligently practiced, actively campaigned, taught, and conveyed the Buddha's teachings, guiding Buddhists to live according to the values ​​of humanity, righteousness, and justice, becoming a shining example of service to the Dharma and the community. With his prestige, Venerable Chau Cat has repeatedly mediated family conflicts and minor disputes in community life. Mr. CT, residing in Chi Lang ward, shared: "Previously, my wife and I often had conflicts and even considered divorce. Venerable Chau Cat advised and explained the right course of action according to the Buddha's teachings and the law, so everything was resolved peacefully, and our marital relationship was preserved."

With his approachable demeanor, Venerable Chau Cat shared both Buddhist and worldly insights. In many cases of land disputes, marriage conflicts, or minor community disputes, the Khmer people sought refuge at the pagoda, listening to the Venerable's teachings. Through gentle words imbued with compassion, many conflicts, both large and small, were resolved. Thanks to his contributions to grassroots mediation, My A Pagoda has become a trusted place for the people to confide their concerns. Most cases are resolved at the local level, preventing appeals to higher authorities or prolonged disputes. "Mediation is about preserving affection and integrity. The Khmer people often trust the words of the monks, so I always remind them to prioritize harmony and avoid escalating small issues into big ones," Venerable Chau Cat shared.

Venerable Chau Cat exchanges information about the lives of the Khmer people in Chi Lang ward with leaders of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion. Photo: DANH THANH

If Venerable Chau Cat is the spiritual anchor, then Mr. Ly Van Kho - Head of the Front Committee of Tra Phot hamlet, Giang Thanh commune - is considered the "bridge" of solidarity. Having been involved in Front work for many years, Mr. Kho understands the customs and traditions of the Khmer people, and is close and sincere with them. Whenever there is conflict in the hamlet, Mr. Kho is always present. Sometimes he goes to each house to advise, other times he joins the hamlet head in discussions and disseminating legal information. Many conflicts have been successfully resolved by Mr. Kho thanks to his sincerity and patience. "The root of reconciliation is sincerity. Reconciliation must be both reasonable and empathetic. If you only talk about logic, people will find it difficult to agree; if you only talk about emotions, it lacks basis. We must find a balance between both, so that they feel respected. When people understand each other and think together for the common good, any conflict can be resolved," Mr. Ly Van Kho said. Ly Pholly, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Giang Thanh commune, commented: “Mr. Ly Van Kho is a bridge between the people and the government, helping to maintain security and order, and strengthen community bonds. Many minor conflicts have been resolved promptly by him, preventing them from escalating into complications.”

The province currently has 449 influential figures among ethnic minority communities. To help this group improve their grassroots mediation skills, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions has been regularly providing training and knowledge enhancement. Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, Danh Tha, shared: “Practical experience shows that leveraging the role of influential figures in mediation contributes to strengthening social consensus. This is also an effective way to prevent and stop malicious forces from exploiting internal conflicts and inciting division within the national unity.”

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Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tieng-noi-nguoi-co-uy-tin-a461609.html