Theravada Buddhism for Vietnam
By Jaliiya Wijayekoon
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Ven. Mahinda Thera ties the
pirith noola
on an elderly Vietnamese |
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Ven. Mahinda Thera with Vietnamese Bhikkhus opposite the Narada
Temple Dagaba.
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Centuries ago Buddhism reigned supreme in Asia from India to far east
Korea and Japan including China. The stupendous Bamiyan Buddha statues
in Afghanistan and Borobudur monuments in Indonesia are reminiscent of
that golden era of Buddhism. Mahayana took a strong foothold in East
Asia with its large number of adherents even at present. Ven. Maharagama
Mahinda Thera has shouldered a gigantic task of propagating Theravada
Buddhism perhaps to quench the Dhamma thirst of the Vietnamese, The
Thera's, Sadaham Charika is poised to accomplish his mission.
Vietnam is today dotted with over 50 Theravada temples in addition to
Mahayana temples. Vietnam has ensured full religious freedom to the
adherents of all religions. It was in the 1960s that the late Ven.
Narada Thera of the Bambalapitiya Vagiraramaya planted the seeds of
Theravada Buddhism in the then war-torn Vietnam.
No doubt the serenity of the Buddha Statue would have helped the
war-weary Vietnamese to regain their tranquillity of mind.
Today the Mahayana co-exists with Theravada in the salubrious
religious atmosphere. Theravada Buddhism is in its embryonic stage at
present in Vietnam. Ven. Mahinda Thera has launched his campaign to
revive, elementary Buddhist practices such as Pansakula, Anusasanas
(sermons) Katina Pinkamas and observing sil.
The ever-increasing appetite for Dhamma schools is not only from the
children but the elders as well. Ven. Mahinda Thera has been
instrumental in setting up the Bhikkhuni order, a timely need of the
aspirants to renounce lay life and join the Order. He has also
channelled aid mainly from America, England and other sources to develop
the Dhamma set up.
The indefatigable efforts of Ven. Mahinda Thera will no doubt reach
fruition in the near future when Sri Lankans could also be proud of the
resurgent renaissance of Buddhism in Asia.
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| Ven. Mahinda Thera delivers a religious
sermon |
Vietnamese Bhikkunis and a large gathering of
devotees listen to a sermon by Ven.
Mahinda Thera. |
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