Influence of Vietnamese Mahayana Tradition for Vietnam Social life

Abstract

Throughout twenty centuries in the long history of Vietnam, Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhism has been closely linked with the survival of the nation, whether in its rise and fall. Since the early days of its introduction, the mind of Vietnamese Buddhists has been so well imbued with the Buddha‘s Teachings about love, tolerance and sympathetic understanding that Vietnamese Buddhism has been able to co-exist in peace with other religions for over 2000 years. On the one hand, generations of Vietnamese monks and nuns and lay followers, unknown or well-known, have somehow participated in making it a unique Vietnamese religion colored with Vietnamese ways and customs. On the other hand, Vietnamese Buddhism has had a great influence on Vietnamese literature, art, music, architecture and Buddhism, so to speak, has become a part of Vietnamese life. Vietnamese Buddhism can be roughly divided into 4 periods: from its beginning in Ancient Times to the 10th century A.D., Its Golden Age from the 11th century to the 14th century, Its Decline in the 15th century and its Restoration in later centuries, Contemporary Vietnamese Buddhism and its Activities in the present situation. Once Buddhism has taken root in any new land, it makes its penetration into all aspects of life there. Take Vietnamese Buddhism for instance, since its very beginning, it has been closely connected with the country for over two thousand years, and Buddhist pagodas have witnessed the ups and downs of the nation’s fortune, as well as the Vietnamese cultural and religious activities through the ages.