Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam
From andrew@ffrd.org Mon Jan 3 03:28:07 2005
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 18:02:09 +0700
From: Andrew Wells-Dang <andrew@ffrd.org>
Reply-To: vsg@u.washington.edu
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Fw: Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam
Apologies for cross postings, but I thought list members might be interested in several of the below items. In particular, Thich Nhat Hanh's return visit is potentially significant both in terms of VN-Viet kieu relations and also in perceptions of religious expression here. Has anyone heard more about this visit? I am particularly interested to see what if any public reactions might come from various levels of the Vietnamese government and press (as happened last year, for instance, during Nguyen Cao Ky's return trip).
Chuc mung nam moi (duong lich).
--Andrew
Mindfulness Day with Thich Nhat Hanh
Saturday 15th January 2005
After 40 years in exile in France, Vietnam’s most well-known and highly respected Zen Buddhist monk, Thay Thich Nhat Hanh, is returning to his homeland. Thich Nhat Hanh has inspired millions of people worldwide with his extraordinary insight into the human heart and mind.
He will be touring the country from January to April 2005 (for more information about his tour, visit http://www.plumvillage.org/). As a part of his tour, he will be holding a Mindfulness Day at the Dinh Quan Pagoda, on the outskirts of Hanoi, to which all are welcome.
The day will focus on the key Buddhist practice of Mindfulness. Mindfulness has been described by one Zen master as ~Sdoing one thing at a time~T. Through simple attention, we are able to free ourselves of the usual mental concerns that take so much of our energy. Mindfulness allows us to connect will the fullness and joy that is to be found in the present moment. Thich Nhat Hanh will guide this practice through a series of exercises, outlined in the program below.
The day will be conducted in Vietnamese. However, speakers of other languages are very welcome, and the Pagoda has organised translation devices in a number of languages, including English and French. Participants who would like to use this service will need to bring along set of headphones with an extension chord. Details about which type of headphones will be suitable will be sent to us closer to the date.
The programme for the day is as follows:
Morning
Walking meditation
Dharma talk
Noon
Eating meditation ~V eating lunch in silence
Sleeping meditation ~V an afternoon nap
Afternoon
Dharma discussion
Walking meditation from Dinh Quan to Van tri Pagoda (optional)
Eating meditation in Van Tri Pagoda (optional)
At 3 pm, after the afternoon Dharma discussion, the formal Mindfulness Day will finish, and participants will be free to go home. One of the FVH organisers will make sure that people who wish to go home get to the return bus.
Those that wish to follow the walking meditation to Van Tri Pagoda are welcome to do so. Van Tri Pagoda is a nearby pagoda, and the walk will take approximately 1hr 30 mins. There will be FVH organizers there to take people back to Hanoi (also by bus), once this additional part of the day finishes at 6 pm.
Time: 7:00 am sharp. There will be two return trips: one
at 3 pm; the other at 6 pm.
Meet: Daewoo Hotel, main entrance
Transport: We will catch Bus 32 from the Daewoo Hotel, and return the same way
Place: Dinh Quan Pagoda, Tu Liem District, about 16 kilometers from Hanoi, on Highway No 32 leading to Son Tay Town
Donation: 50.000 VND. (Thich Nhat Hanh does not ask for a fee.
This is a suggested donation, and an FVH organiser will collect it from those who would like to contribute. This money will go directly to the Pagoda to cover the costs of hosting us for the day.)
Limit: You will need to register by Monday, January 10th, so we can provide the Pagoda with an idea of the number of participants.
Registration: Contact James Donald (email j.donald@econ.usyd.edu.au, mobile: 0913 036 471).
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Walking Tour of Ba Dinh Area
Two afternoon walking tours are organized: one in English and one in French
In English: Thursday 20th January 2005 / In French : Tuesday 25th January 2005
Walking Tour of Ba Dinh Area: from French Colonial architecture to Socialist architecture in the political and diplomatic centre of Hanoi.
We will start our tour at the Presidential Palace, have a look at the Ba Dinh place and continue on to the Garden to see the Uncle Ho’s stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda.
We will then walk the streets from Chua Mot Cot to Dien Bien Phu to see the famous Hanoi’s French Villas.
NB: We will not visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Mausoleum.
Time: 2pm - 4pm (approx 2 hours). Trying to avoid the crowds visiting this area in the morning, this walk will be more enjoyable in the afternoon.
Meet: On Ba Dinh Square, at the crossroad of Hoang Van Thu and Hung Vung (in front of thePresidential Palace)
Limit: 10 people
Fee: 50.000 VND
Registration: Please send an e-mail to Christiane at pysuter@hn.vnn.vn. Don’t forget to mention which tour (in English or French) you want to join ~V the tour on 20 January will be in English; the tour on 25 January will be in French
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Bat Trang Ceramics Village
Saturday 22nd January
Like most visitors to Hanoi, we’d been to Bat Trang’s commercial ~Qtouristy~R part ~V and had ticked it off as somewhere to go around Hanoi! But, there is much more to Bat Trang than just the convoys of brightly coloured trinket laden bicycles peddling around Hanoi streets!
Bat Trang village has specialised in the production of ceramics since the late 15th century. Today, around 86% of the village population is still engaged in this craft with the most popular designs still being the famous blue and white ceramics, although there are an increasing number of artistic potters. Recently, there has been an effort to unify the marketing of Bat Trang products as well as improve the overall quality.
This excursion will explore a range of different levels of pottery outlets from the mass produced commercial export-quality pottery to one-off hand-crafted pieces. We will meander through narrow lanes of the Old Quarter with its dinh and Temple of Literature and then past the river-side loading facilities before lunching at a local pottery. After lunch, there will be time to wander further and either discover more small-scale ventures or just go shopping!
Please bring your own picnic lunch. There are food places further up into the ~Qnewer~R parts of Bat Trang if you want to enjoy street food. Bring a hat ~V or umbrella if it’s raining - to enjoy the leisurely walk. We will provide bottled water.
Time: 8:00 a.m. We will come back around 4:00 p.m.
Meeting at: Meet at the Hilton Hotel ~V around the side near the Opera House
Cost: 150.000 VND
Limit: 25
Registration: Contact Colin or Kay Mitchell at mitchell@usermail.com or kmitchell@unishanoi.org. Mobile contact: 0904 114 112.
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Mindfulness Day - Van Tri Pagoda
Sunday 23rd January 2005
What is Mindfulness? It is the energy that reminds and helps us to come back to the present moment. By being aware of each moment, we come to a better knowledge of ourselves and the world around us. We become open to our deeper intuition and a richer experience of life. Mindfulness is a basic Buddhist practice and often called the heart of Buddhist teaching.
Previous Mindfulness Days for the English speaking community organised by the Friends of Vietnam Heritage have been very successful. Hence we are holding a day in January and plan to continue with one each month in 2005.
Sister Thich Hanh Chau will lead the days, which will feature basic instructions for beginners, different kinds of meditation practice, and a talk with opportunities for questions and answers. The programme for the day is as follows:
Morning
Tea meditation and introduction by Thich Hanh Chau
Walking meditation
Listening meditation ~V short Dhama talk
Noon
Eating meditation ~V eating vegetarian lunch in silence
Sleeping meditation ~V an afternoon nap
Afternoon
Sitting meditation
Walking meditation
Tea meditation and questions and answers
An English language translator will be present. We will go by public bus for about 30 minutes and an easy walk of about 15 minutes to get there. Bring your own water and dress comfortably.
Time: 8:15 am sharp, we will return around 5:00 PM
Meet at: Daewoo Hotel, main entrance
Transport: We will catch Bus 32 from the Daewoo Hotel, and return the same way
Place: Van Tri Pagoda, Xa Minh Khai - Huyen Tu Liem – Ha Noi (phone 837 3081). The pagoda, also called Bodhi Pagoda, is one of Hanoi's ancient Buddhist temples. Built on a site shadowed by green foliage amidst peaceful countryside, it lies about 13 km from Hanoi city centre, on Highway No 32 leading to Son Tay Town
Cost: 50.000 VND (lunch included)
Limit: no minimum or maximum number of people
Registration: Please book in advance so that we may give the pagoda an idea of the number of participants. Contact Tom Hannan (email tomh@ccf.org.vn, work: (04) 726 1141, mobile ~V may not be available: 0912 762 070). Tom and James Donald have taken over responsibility for organising the mindfulness days from Lian Henriksen.
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Walking Tour of Ba Dinh Area
In French : Tuesday 25th January 2005
Walking Tour of Ba Dinh Area: from French Colonial architecture to Socialist architecture in the political and diplomatic centre of Hanoi.
We will start our tour at the Presidential Palace, have a look at the Ba Dinh place and continue on to the Garden to see the Uncle Ho’s stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda.
We will then walk the streets from Chua Mot Cot to Dien Bien Phu to see the famous Hanoi’s French Villas.
NB: We will not visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Mausoleum.
Time: 2pm ~V 4pm (approx 2 hours). Trying to avoid the crowds visiting this area in the morning, this walk will be more enjoyable in the afternoon.
Meet: On Ba Dinh Square, at the cross road of Hoang Van
Thu and Hung Vung (in front of the Presidential Palace)
Limit: 10 people
Fee: 50.000 VND
Registration: Please send an e-mail to Christiane at pysuter@hn.vnn.vn
Don’t forget to specify which tour (in English or French) you want to join
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ONGOING STUDY GROUPS
Buddhism & Symbolism Study Group
Due to our professor’s schedule and the Tet holiday, this study session will resume in mid-February. For all members who attended the previous study groups, we would appreciate any and all comments on what group members experienced and what you would like to see developed in future study groups. For all new members, please send us information on your interests and ideas so that we may organize the study as best we can to serve the interests of all members.
All new members interested in attending this new study group please sign up by emailing Suzanne Lecht at the following email address: artvietnam@fpt.vn
Beginning in mid-February, the study group will meet on Tuesday evenings 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. generally twice a month depending on our scholars schedules. Details will be provided in the February program.
I look forward to hearing your comments.
Suzanne
Suzanne Lecht
Art Director, Art Vietnam
30 Hang Than, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: 844 9272 349, Fax: 844 9272 804, Mobile: 091204 8018
Email: artvietnam@fpt.vn, www.vietnamesefineart.com
FVH publications about Buddhist pagodas and temples around Ha Noi also provide information about Buddhism and customs of Vietnam.
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Ceramics Study Group
GUIDED TOUR OF DR. RAPOPORT’s COLLECTION OF VIETNAMESE TRIBAL ART
Saturday 29th January
Dr. Mark Rapoport will give a guided tour of his immense collection of Vietnamese tribal art at his residence. He collected his first piece of tribal art in 1969 while he was serving as a medical student volunteer for Vietnamese civilians in Danang. His collection of tribal art from all over the world has since grown to over 10,000 pieces, over half of which are from the 53 ethnic minority groups of Vietnam. He has loaned or donated a number of large pieces from his collection to various museums in the U.S. including the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and in Vietnam. A special exhibition of shamanic objects of the Zhou people drawn exclusively from his collection was held at the Ha Noi Museum of Ethnology in 2002 and 2003.
To Dr. Rapoport, ~Sthe tribal art objects say great deal about the people, their culture, their values.... The most important message is a universal and very human one ~V the urge for beauty and grace in all people, regardless of how, where or when they lived.
Dr. Mark Rapoport is a pediatrician and a specialist in public health. His activities during his four years in Hanoi have included two years of working to move the Asia-Pacific region to adopt single-use syringes. He has also been Executive Editor of Vietnam Cultural Window magazine. Currently, he is in the final stages of launching a research project on Agent Orange and birth defects. He is also is a principal in Connoisseurs~R Choice Collections, a new group which presents, documents, and offers for sale objects from tribal and ethnic minority cultures.
Time: 10:00 ~V 11:30h
Place: No. 53C, Lane 31, Xuan Dieu Street, Tay Ho
District
Cost: 30.000 VND
Limit: 15 persons
Registration: Contact Ms. Ming Hung, Tel. 718-1712 or 091-239-7924,
Email: hungfrey@fpt.vn
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History, Culture & Civilisation Study Group
If you are interested in this study group, please contact Jennifer Watson at duke_96337@yahoo.com.
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For Your Tet or other Greeting Card Needs
We have on sale:
Especially commissioned, beautiful FVH-greeting cards in packs of 4 (the four sacred animals of Vietnam), either in gold or white ~V
Price: VND 40,000 per pack of 4 cards
FVH-mugs in white or black color, to balance the yin/yang of your home or as an exotic gift to friends ~V Price: VND 40.000/each or 75.000/set of 2
The proceeds will be used to finance the purchase of new publications or periodicals for the FVH-Resource Corner or research for new FVH-guidebooks.
You can order these items through fvheritage@hn.vnn.vn or Tini at
nhl@netnam.vn. They will be delivered at your door!
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FVH Resource Corner
Vietnam Development Information Center
63 Ly Thai To - Hours of operation: 8:00 AM ~V 6:00 PM
The Friends of Vietnam Heritage collection of books and journals that focus on Vietnamese art and culture is hosted by the VDIC.
The list of books and periodicals is available on the VDIC Internet site at http://www.vdic.org.vn/ under ~SLibrary and Internet~T. Resource material is available for use on the premises.
If you need more information, please contact Tini at nhl@netnam.vn
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FVH Publication Corner
FVH produces a number of publications which are available from the Council members. Please contact FVH at fvheritage@hn.vnn.vn to obtain one.
Publications Currently Available
1 FVH Information Brochure
A general information brochure about the history and activities of
FVH.
Produced 2002 FREE
____________________________________________________________________________
2 Bach Ma Temple Guide (White Horse Temple)
Detailed information on the history of Bach Ma Temple (Hang Buom Street), description of the temple layout, translation of panels written in Chinese characters as well as information about symbolism used in the temple. This temple is the most important in the Old Quarter. A suggested walking tour around the area is also included.
Produced 2001 Price 50.000 VND
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3 Quan Thanh Temple Guide
Detailed information on the history of Quan Thanh Temple (by Westlake), as well as useful and interesting general information about Vietnamese temples. A suggested walking tour around the area is also included.
Produced 2002 Price 50.000 VND
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4 Tran Quoc Pagoda Guide
The Tran Quoc Pagoda on Thanh Nien Road was founded some 1400 years ago, and is one of the most ancient Buddhist temples in Hanoi.
Nestled between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake the pagoda is considered a magnificent symbol of Buddhism in Vietnam and is one of the most visited sites in the capital. The guide covers the history of Buddhism, the temple layout and describes in the detail the different areas of the pagoda. A fascinating publication which includes specially commissioned drawings and photographs.
Produced 2003 Price 50.000 VND
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5 Phu Tay Ho Guide
Have you ever wondered who these doll-like statues in glass cabinets, in blue, white, red or green attire may be? Phu Tay Ho at the far end of Tay Ho Peninsula, is the most impressive pagoda dedicated to the cult of Mother goddesses in Hanoi, an indigenous cult which seems to permeate the lives of all Vietnamese women in varying degrees. The guide describes in detail the complex itself, then goes on to talk about the religion proper, its philosophy, pantheon and rituals.
Produced 2004 Price 50.000 VND
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Museum Spot
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
There is an exhibition on Tai textiles from the Mekong regions.
Beautiful calendars, brochures and postcards with Tai textile patterns are being sold at the Museum Shop.
The ~SCham Quarter~T in the museum’s open area is now completed, with two new houses. The garden is becoming an increasingly nice and relaxing place.
The exhibit of pottery made by secondary school pupils during the 2004 summer programme continues at the museum through March 2005
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Nguyen Van Huyen Street, from Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) between 9.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 17.00.
____________________________________________________________________________
VME General Information
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - Nguyen Van Huyen, Cau Giay, Hanoi
For further Information telephone the museum direct on (84-4) 7562193
Opening Hours ~V 9:00 AM ~V 12:00 and 14:00 ~V 17:00 PM closed on
Mondays
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Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts ~V NEWS
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts (VNMFA)
The first museum in Vietnam to extend their hours to include two evenings, the museum’s hours are 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM daily (closed Mondays). Open until 9 PM Wed and Sat evenings. Just think, if your weekends are full or your houseguests need more time to squeeze in the sights you can join them for an "artful evening" and dinner.
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VOLUNTEERS & JOBS SPOT
We are always looking for volunteers to help keep Friends of Vietnam Heritage an interesting, informative and diverse group. If you can spare even a few hours and would like to help us, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUIRE INFORMATION, please contact FVH at fvheritage@hn.vnn.vn.
____________________________________________________________________________
and finally ~E~E~E
FVH arranges all events on a voluntary basis with most events fully subscribed plus waiting lists. It is therefore most frustrating when some of those who are registered do not attend the event and do not let the organizer know. Therefore please note that ~Sno-shows~T will pay the fee for the event.
____________________________________________________________________________
IF YOU NO LONGER WANT NOR NEED THIS INFORMATION PLEASE REPLY WITH
~SUNSUBSCRIBE~T AS SUBJECT.
Many Thanks!!!
[IMAGE][IMAGE]
January 2005 PROGRAM
Date
Activity
Meeting Point
Time
To register, contact:
Saturday, 15th
Mindfulness Day with Thich Nhat Hanh
Daewoo Hotel, main entrance
07:00 sharp
James Donald at j.donald@econ.usyd.edu.au, mobile: 0913 036 471
Thursday, 20th
Walking tour of Ba Dinh Area ~V in English
Ba Dinh Square, intersection of Hoang Van Thu and Hung Vung
14:00 in the afternoon
E-mail Christiane at pysuter@hn.vnn.vn
Saturday, 22nd
Bat Trang Ceramics Village
Hilton Hotel, on the side near the Opera House
08:00
Colin or Kay Mitchell at mitchell@usermail.com or
kmitchell@unishanoi.org. mobile: 0904 114 112.
Sunday, 23rd
Mindfulness Day ~V Van Tri Pagoda
Daewoo Hotel, main entrance
08:15 sharp
Tom Hannan at tomh@ccf.org.vn, work: (04) 726 1141, mobile ~V: 0912 762 070
Tuesday, 25th
Walking tour of Ba Dinh Area ~V in French
Ba Dinh Square, intersection of Hoang Van Thu and Hung Vung
14:00 in the afternoon
E-mail Christiane at pysuter@hn.vnn.vn
Saturday
29th
Tour of Rapoport Collection of Tribal Art
53C Lane 31
Xuan Dieu St.
Tay Ho
10:00 ~V 11:30
Ming Hung at hungfrey@fpt.vn
Tel: 7181712, mobile: 0912397924
____________________________________________________________________________
From Chung.Nguyen@umb.edu Mon Jan 3 09:15:16 2005
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 12:05:49 -0500
From: Chung Nguyen <Chung.Nguyen@umb.edu>
Reply-To: vsg@u.washington.edu
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam
I think TNH’s visit, or once potential visit, has been followed with a great deal of interest in the diaspora communities. TNH’s dharma-based views are well known; his efforts for a peacedul resolution to the war consitently ran contrary to both US and communist policies during the war. It would be the first time that a bona fide Buddhist monk, exiled for years abroad by both factions, returns to the country of his birth, with the hope of rekindling the spiritual tradition of his patriarchs, of finding a way out of the current impass in Vietnam’s refusal to grant legal acceptance to the Unified Buddhist Church. It’s a remarkable ending to TNH’s turbulent search for peace in Vietnam.
It’s, in a way, both an ending to one narrative ~V for TNH and the Unified Buddhist Church in Vietnam represents a different narrative in contemporary Vietnamese history ~V the once much condemned and rejected monk has been allowed to speak to his congregation - and the beginning of a new one ~V the rebuilding of one of Vietnam’s most powerful spiritual identities- a genuine, activist, and constructive identity deeply rooted in the country’s tradition and history.
In some of the overseas militant anti-communist newsgroups, TNH has already been condemned as a willing agent of Hanoi. One can easily recognize in this the voice of the holy war narrative, still running on past momentum, seeing everything in stark black and white.
One can only hope that TNH will be able to explain his message to the multiple audiences in Vietnam ~V to a government deeply suspicious of any independent source of power, to the vast majority of Buddhists who are looking for a trusted guide in a rapidly changing society with massive moral problems, and to the country at large.
It is an extremely difficult task, and one can only wish him well.
From peter.kiang@umb.edu Mon Jan 3 17:02:45 2005
Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2005 20:00:31 -0500
From: Peter Kiang <peter.kiang@umb.edu>
Reply-To: vsg@u.washington.edu
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam
i really like your reflections, chung. thanks for sharing them with vsg. pk
From markustaussig@mac.com Mon Jan 3 17:11:30 2005
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 08:09:56 +0700
From: Markus Taussig <markustaussig@mac.com>
Reply-To: vsg@u.washington.edu
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam
i'm curious if anyone has any sense regarding the extent to which TNH is still known (and followed) within Vietnam.
_______________________________
Markus D. Taussig
Private Sector Development Research
VoIP (Global Access) Tel: (202) 204 0963
Vietnam Mobile: (84) 903 25 8774
markustaussig@mac.com
http://homepage.mac.com/markustaussig/
From tonthat@homemail.com.au Tue Jan 4 15:52:52 2005
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 10:51:45 +1100
From: quynh-du ton-that <tonthat@homemail.com.au>
Reply-To: vsg@u.washington.edu
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Subject: RE: Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam
Dear Markus,
Last time I was in Hue, early 2001, TNH was still regarded as the titular head of Tu+` Hie^'u agoda and I all the monks I met at Tu Hieu and other pagodas in Hue still rearded TNH very highly.
Du
From Chung.Nguyen@umb.edu Wed Jan 5 11:27:47 2005
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 14:17:43 -0500
From: Chung Nguyen <Chung.Nguyen@umb.edu>
Reply-To: vsg@u.washington.edu
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam
I have been following the Buddhist movements in Vietnam since they first surfaced in a grand way in 1963, and I have no doubt that TNH is one of the most influential Vietnamese Buddhist leaders in the world, and perhaps one with the most impact for changes in Vietnam at the moment.
After off and on negotiation for over a number of years, TNH and the government finally come to an agreement. TNH’s stature in Vietnam has grown stronger since he was forced into exile in the 1960s. Due to demand, his treatise on Vietnamese Buddhism was officially reprinted in Vietnam, but under the rarely used pen name ~SNguyen Lang~T, instead of ~SNhat Hanh~T, because at the time he was still person nongrata (arrangement is currently being made for a second edition). Over a dozen of his works, as Judith Henchy notes, can be bought around temple book stalls or in used books stores (but never in regular bookstores) because they have been reprinted illegally (none of them has the publication license issued by the authority). Hue is the center of Vietnamese Buddhism, and Tu Hieu pagoda, as Ton That Quynh-Du points out, TNH’s root temple, is at the center of the Buddhist struggle there to win legal recognition for the Unified Buddhist Church.
A brief examination of his 3-month schedule in Vietnam shows the remarkable breath and depth of this unprecedented journey. First, he makes visit not to the government-sponsored Vietnamese Church leaders, but, with profound respect, to the two top leaders of the currently banned Unified Buddhist Church ~V Bikkhu Thich Quang Do (in Saigon) and Thich Huyen Quang (in Binh Dinh). Second, he will give dharma talks to the public in public places, not just in temples as per regulation after 1975 ~V at Cung Van Hoa in Hanoi, at Hoa Binh theater in Saigon, and at Quy Nhon University in Binh Dinh. He will personally conduct training for a number of special instruction course for monks, nuns, and laymen that last from 2 to 6 days- in Saigon(2), Hue (1), Qui Nhon(1), Hanoi (3). This is unprecedented, and it demonstrates the deep affection and admiration by his fellow monks for his Buddhist attainment. Perhaps also most unusual of all is the fact that he does not come home as a lone figure but with about a hundred of his junior monks and nuns. It is a church in movement, a church he has built while in exile, and now bring those seeds that he has planted abroad back to re-water the church in crisis that he had left behind.
The titles of the public dharma talks he gives undoubtedly will create a great deal of interest, not just among Buddhists, but also among government officials ~V ~SBuddhist Wisdom in the Tale of Kieu and its Application to Daily Life,~T ~SThe Role of Religions in Creating a Sane, Healthy Society,~T ~STransforming Anger, Reconnecting Tradition,~T ~SThe Spiritual Life in A Civilized Society,~T ~SReEstablish the Tradition between Two Generations, ReConnect the Bonds of Two Cultures, ReCreate the Love Within the Family,~T etc. And others, befitting the place he’s coming from, and the astounding journey he has made, ~SThe Future and Development of Buddhism in the West,~T ~SHow do Youth and Intellectuals Practice Buddhism in the West ?,~T ~SThe Future of Buddhism in Europe, Australia and the U.S.~T, ~SWhat Contributions Can Vietnamese Culture make to the Preservation of Peace and Joy in the World,~T etc. If the most advanced industrialized nations in the world can find benefits in the practice of Buddhism, why can't its traditional home?
Vietnam, morally and spiritually, is a society in crisis. Socialism has failed in its avowed and expected task of creating the ~Snew man.~T Not only there aren~Rt any new men (or women); they appear to be as easily corruptible as ever, esp. given a little sinecure, a little authority, a little privilege.
TNH returns with a message that has proven power: he has not only transformed himself and, despite tremendous difficulties and against enormous odds, he has helped transforming a part of the world around him. It is the making of a world that is based on truth, wisdom, and compassion, not on force, propaganda, and illusions.
Vietnam has to be commended for inviting him home. The next step, which is much more difficult, is to listen with heart to his message.
Chung
From Chung.Nguyen@umb.edu Wed Jan 5 15:41:44 2005
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 18:38:31 -0500
From: Chung Nguyen <Chung.Nguyen@umb.edu>
Reply-To: vsg@u.washington.edu
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam
Sorry, the word "only" is accidentally left out in the 3rd paragraph.