By BEN STOCKING Associated Press Writer
HANOI, Vietnam August 1, 2009 (AP)
Communist Vietnam's sometimes edgy relationship with religious freedom is being tested in a dispute over a monastery inhabited by disciples of Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the world's most famous Zen masters. For four years, the Buddhist monks and nuns at Bat Nha monastery in central Vietnam have been quietly meditating and studying the teachings of the 82-year-old Vietnamese sage who is perhaps the world's best-known living Buddhist after Tibet's Dalai Lama. But lately, they are in a standoff that could test the patience of even the most enlightened. First, local authorities cut off their power, water and telephones. Then, a mob descended on their compound with sledgehammers, smashing windows, damaging buildings and threatening occupants.
Communist authorities have ordered the 379 Vietnamese monks to leave the monastery in Vietnam's Central Highlands. They say the standoff stems from disagreements between two Buddhist factions at the monastery. But Hanh's followers believe they are being punished because of Hanh's praise for the Dalai Lama and his call to broaden religious freedom in Vietnam. The affair represents a remarkable turnaround from four years ago, when France-based Hanh returned to his native land after 39 years of exile during which he developed a philosophy called "Engaged Buddhism" and sold more than a million books in the West. The abbot at Bat Nha, which belonged to the official Buddhist Church of Vietnam, invited Hanh's followers to train monks in their brand of Buddhism at the temple there. The letter also said that Hanh's followers should leave Bat Nha and stressed that Abbot Duc Nghi, the property's original owner, wanted them to go. Nghi could not be reached, and committee members declined to comment, saying they needed several days to arrange an interview.
Sister Dang said the Plum Village followers were taken by surprise when Nghi told them to leave because the abbot had visited the monastery in France two or three times and seemed to respect Hanh. She theorized that Nghi must have been pressured from above to ask the Plum Village practitioners to leave. Otherwise, she said, any tensions between the two camps could have been resolved.
James: Vietnam will one day have full religious freedom and what a joy that day will be!! I hope to visit this beautiful, stunning country one day but I don't have the money to travel there right now. When I do, however, I hope to meet a reader from Vietnam--I know there are some from that great country who read this blog and I thank-you for reading. May the power of the people seeking freedom break down the cold structure of Communism and in a peaceful, Gandhi-like fashion. Trying to contain freedom is like trying to contain water. Water blocked by unbending, restrictive rocks will always find a way to erode them and continue on its way toward joining the open, vast freedom of the sea and ocean. Water has carved through some of the strongest rock to form natural wonders that inspire awe, respect and unrestrained possibilities. The concept of change as taught in Buddhism is no exception.
The saying, "Time heals all wounds" is over-used and sometimes simplistic but is important to remember as it enables people to endure things that they thought weren't possible and for longer periods of time than thought possible. Buddhists seem better prepared and capable of enduring long hardship and suffering than some because of the Buddha's teachings of the inevitability of suffering, dealing with anger but also the inevitability of change. In this case the inevitability that Vietnam will change it's government and allow full and fair religious freedom.
Thich Nhat Hanh speaks often of the idea of seeds, "The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy."
— Thich Nhat Hanh (The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching).
James: I need to hear those words right now because lately I've been struggling.Whether we suffer the oppression of an authoritarian government or from an authoritarian mental illness like I do we lessen our suffering by finding the good in the little things, which upon further reflection are anything but little. It's easier said than done but for example, I always amaze myself at how much joy and peace can be found in focusing on the vibrancy and beauty of nature. A simple rainstorm can change the mood of my entire day toward one of increased relaxation and renewal. Gazing mindfulfully upon a simple flower swaying gently in the breeze can give me great comfort that signs of happiness can still be found despite all the misery and suffering in the world. Especially those hearty flowers, which sprout up inbetween rocks. In addition, Buddhism lends itself well to practicing alone if an organized sangha is not possible because of religious oppression such as in Vietnam and China.
It's hard for an oppressive regime to police what people do in the privacy in their own homes and a small altar is easy to hide. Meditation is often done quietly, which makes it easy to practice without drawing attention. Thich Nhat Hanh knows this well and teaches that meditation can be done while walking, working, enjoying music, physical exercise, etc. Hanh teaches like all wise Buddhist masters that even if we live in a religiously open and free society that meditation shouldn't be a separate part of our lives, which we only practice in formal settings/sessions. Otherwise it becomes just another hobby, which is fun but without deeper intigration into one's daily activities dies out like a fad. Another example would be like trying to cure a sickness through a patch on the skin rather than injecting it into the blood stream.
In keeping with the teaching of seeds, Nhat Hanh teaches that we all have the seeds for violence, ambivilance, peace and loving-kindness. I hope that my Vietnamese brothers and sisters can water the seeds of love and not anger because in watering the seeds of anger we are watering the seeds to our own destruction. The easy answer is what the ego-mind goes toward first and often that is anger, which is a seed that like a weed grows quickly with little watering and can quickly grow out of control. Anger/violence might feel good and seem to be the answer at first but that quickly fades and often leads to an even stronger backlash by the other side. If both sides keep watering those seeds the anger and violence can spiral to such an extent that eventually it will destroy both sides completely. Total annilation isn't in anyone's interest.
I hope this post doesn't sound too simplistic or that I think the solutions in Vietnam are easy and simple because I know that they aren't. I am also very much aware that it is easy for me to sit here in America in the comfort of my home, enjoying my religious freedom and advise others about dealing with an authoritarian government. However, my intentions are to provide encouragement as well as encouragement to myself in dealing with my oppressive mental health. It gives me hope and I always underestimate the power of hope. The beauty of Buddhism is that we know this hope will ripen one day into reality as change of all kinds is inevitable--yes, even change for the better, which I have to remind myself daily it seems being a born pessimist.
It sounds cliche to focus on the seemingly little things that bring happiness into our lives and sometimes it doesn't always work but when it does it sure changes my entire perspective. It's amazing how much more patience and peace I have after spending just 15 minutes contemplating the organization and feeling of completeness of nature. If nature can live in harmony and completeness despite the reality of suffering than so can we especially since despite our best efforts at separating ourselves--we are nature as well!!
Communist Vietnam's sometimes edgy relationship with religious freedom is being tested in a dispute over a monastery inhabited by disciples of Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the world's most famous Zen masters. For four years, the Buddhist monks and nuns at Bat Nha monastery in central Vietnam have been quietly meditating and studying the teachings of the 82-year-old Vietnamese sage who is perhaps the world's best-known living Buddhist after Tibet's Dalai Lama. But lately, they are in a standoff that could test the patience of even the most enlightened. First, local authorities cut off their power, water and telephones. Then, a mob descended on their compound with sledgehammers, smashing windows, damaging buildings and threatening occupants.
Communist authorities have ordered the 379 Vietnamese monks to leave the monastery in Vietnam's Central Highlands. They say the standoff stems from disagreements between two Buddhist factions at the monastery. But Hanh's followers believe they are being punished because of Hanh's praise for the Dalai Lama and his call to broaden religious freedom in Vietnam. The affair represents a remarkable turnaround from four years ago, when France-based Hanh returned to his native land after 39 years of exile during which he developed a philosophy called "Engaged Buddhism" and sold more than a million books in the West. The abbot at Bat Nha, which belonged to the official Buddhist Church of Vietnam, invited Hanh's followers to train monks in their brand of Buddhism at the temple there. The letter also said that Hanh's followers should leave Bat Nha and stressed that Abbot Duc Nghi, the property's original owner, wanted them to go. Nghi could not be reached, and committee members declined to comment, saying they needed several days to arrange an interview.
Sister Dang said the Plum Village followers were taken by surprise when Nghi told them to leave because the abbot had visited the monastery in France two or three times and seemed to respect Hanh. She theorized that Nghi must have been pressured from above to ask the Plum Village practitioners to leave. Otherwise, she said, any tensions between the two camps could have been resolved.
James: Vietnam will one day have full religious freedom and what a joy that day will be!! I hope to visit this beautiful, stunning country one day but I don't have the money to travel there right now. When I do, however, I hope to meet a reader from Vietnam--I know there are some from that great country who read this blog and I thank-you for reading. May the power of the people seeking freedom break down the cold structure of Communism and in a peaceful, Gandhi-like fashion. Trying to contain freedom is like trying to contain water. Water blocked by unbending, restrictive rocks will always find a way to erode them and continue on its way toward joining the open, vast freedom of the sea and ocean. Water has carved through some of the strongest rock to form natural wonders that inspire awe, respect and unrestrained possibilities. The concept of change as taught in Buddhism is no exception.
The saying, "Time heals all wounds" is over-used and sometimes simplistic but is important to remember as it enables people to endure things that they thought weren't possible and for longer periods of time than thought possible. Buddhists seem better prepared and capable of enduring long hardship and suffering than some because of the Buddha's teachings of the inevitability of suffering, dealing with anger but also the inevitability of change. In this case the inevitability that Vietnam will change it's government and allow full and fair religious freedom.
Thich Nhat Hanh speaks often of the idea of seeds, "The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy."
— Thich Nhat Hanh (The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching).
James: I need to hear those words right now because lately I've been struggling.Whether we suffer the oppression of an authoritarian government or from an authoritarian mental illness like I do we lessen our suffering by finding the good in the little things, which upon further reflection are anything but little. It's easier said than done but for example, I always amaze myself at how much joy and peace can be found in focusing on the vibrancy and beauty of nature. A simple rainstorm can change the mood of my entire day toward one of increased relaxation and renewal. Gazing mindfulfully upon a simple flower swaying gently in the breeze can give me great comfort that signs of happiness can still be found despite all the misery and suffering in the world. Especially those hearty flowers, which sprout up inbetween rocks. In addition, Buddhism lends itself well to practicing alone if an organized sangha is not possible because of religious oppression such as in Vietnam and China.
It's hard for an oppressive regime to police what people do in the privacy in their own homes and a small altar is easy to hide. Meditation is often done quietly, which makes it easy to practice without drawing attention. Thich Nhat Hanh knows this well and teaches that meditation can be done while walking, working, enjoying music, physical exercise, etc. Hanh teaches like all wise Buddhist masters that even if we live in a religiously open and free society that meditation shouldn't be a separate part of our lives, which we only practice in formal settings/sessions. Otherwise it becomes just another hobby, which is fun but without deeper intigration into one's daily activities dies out like a fad. Another example would be like trying to cure a sickness through a patch on the skin rather than injecting it into the blood stream.
In keeping with the teaching of seeds, Nhat Hanh teaches that we all have the seeds for violence, ambivilance, peace and loving-kindness. I hope that my Vietnamese brothers and sisters can water the seeds of love and not anger because in watering the seeds of anger we are watering the seeds to our own destruction. The easy answer is what the ego-mind goes toward first and often that is anger, which is a seed that like a weed grows quickly with little watering and can quickly grow out of control. Anger/violence might feel good and seem to be the answer at first but that quickly fades and often leads to an even stronger backlash by the other side. If both sides keep watering those seeds the anger and violence can spiral to such an extent that eventually it will destroy both sides completely. Total annilation isn't in anyone's interest.
I hope this post doesn't sound too simplistic or that I think the solutions in Vietnam are easy and simple because I know that they aren't. I am also very much aware that it is easy for me to sit here in America in the comfort of my home, enjoying my religious freedom and advise others about dealing with an authoritarian government. However, my intentions are to provide encouragement as well as encouragement to myself in dealing with my oppressive mental health. It gives me hope and I always underestimate the power of hope. The beauty of Buddhism is that we know this hope will ripen one day into reality as change of all kinds is inevitable--yes, even change for the better, which I have to remind myself daily it seems being a born pessimist.
It sounds cliche to focus on the seemingly little things that bring happiness into our lives and sometimes it doesn't always work but when it does it sure changes my entire perspective. It's amazing how much more patience and peace I have after spending just 15 minutes contemplating the organization and feeling of completeness of nature. If nature can live in harmony and completeness despite the reality of suffering than so can we especially since despite our best efforts at separating ourselves--we are nature as well!!
~Peace to all beings~
6 comments:
Hi,
I am a Chinese reader who is currently in the US. I forgot when I ran into your blog but I have been reading your blog for maybe over a month, and really have learned a lot--and I love your English writing as well.
Just one question, do you know much about DaLai Lama or his followers(esp. personally)? As a Chinese, I never felt that Buddhism was oppressed in China, as least nobody would be prevented from practice Buddhism or had to conceal their alter at home ( unless they are communists). however, I understand that I know very little truth about the real situation. I do think, however, the gov't is really against the splitists in Tibet， and the fact that religion is used as a political tool. Plus not everyone in Tibet wants to separate from China--there are many who don't want to.
Thanks in advance for your answer. I am at a very early stage of learning about Buddhism, and hopefully one day I would be better prepared to discuss it with you.
YuJing
YuJing:
I'm pleased to hear from a Chinese reader who has lived in China. By the way, China is one of the places I want to visit before I die. I love Chinese culture so much and find it so beautiful, noble and impressive.
Though my sometimes strong statements about the Communist government in China might get me banned from the country at the airport. ;)
Anyway, I'm happy to hear that Buddhism isn't as oppressed in China as much as I thought. I have excitedly read many articles lately showing the Buddhist population is growing in China and is larger than thought for many years. As well as hearing about the government easing up on restrictions of monasteries, practitioners and temples.
The huge exception of course being Tibet. I can see the point of not wanting to see bloodshed and turmoil in Tibet from both sides. I think therefore that the Dalai Lama's position of autonomy rather than independence is the best compromise, which is in keeping with the Buddha's advise of always following the middle-way.
When I first began studying Buddhism I was led to Tibetan Buddhism and became well acquainted with it but never met or heard the Dalai Lama speak, unfortunately. However, I didn't stay long with Tibetan Buddhism though its early influence in my Buddhist practice is still felt with the malas I wear. Now I'm a Zen practitioner and have been for most of the years I've been Buddhist.
I'm certainly no expert on China nor Tibet but it interests me greatly. Both sides and culture because while I'm not supportive of full and complete Communism I do believe a degree of Socialism is important.
I think that is why I appreciate the European models of Democratic-Socialism so much. It's a blend of the best of both systems while discarding what failed under the USSR.
Anyway, I'm honored and humbled you like reading my blog and that you have learned much. I hope to learn more from you as well. Again, I'm certainly not an expert on Buddhism but I have learned a few things. I mostly like sharing my Buddhist journey with others. Sharing ideas, break-throughs, set-backs and how the Dharma and modern society interact.
I'm always excited to hear from people that they are learning about Buddhism. It is such a wonderful practice to have in one's life. It has brought so much calm, peace, meaning and order to my life. Yet it doesn't preach in a strict way (at least that's always been my experience) whereas in the tradition of Christianity I was raised with it was very dominering and not too compassionate.
I like how Buddhism will teach you as far as you want to go without forcing things upon you. I also really like that they don't send out missionaries to convert masses of people who might not even want to be Buddhist. So many religions today are so arrogant in saying they have the only truth.
Well, I've learned in Buddhism that truth isn't only found in one place. Just like how diamonds are found hidden not just in rocks deep beneath the Earth but in river beds and even encased in ice up in northern Canada.
James,
Was Once appreciates your blog. I started with Mahayana appreciating their dhamma talks, but all the while thought that with all their buddhas it was too detailed for my own taste. After becoming a novice monk in Theravada for a month, it seems like more of "hands on" mindfulness. I am not trying to find fault, and I still maintain my connection with them with their good intention that spurs me into more compassion.
We can only hope that Thich Nhat Hanh's Disciples understand the impermanence of everything.
Thanks James, for sharing your thoughts with me. I was brought up in a family with strong religious beliefs (or at least a mix of religion and superstition), which is very common in China, esp. in the South. I have experienced the so-called alternative realities before,which made me deeply believe in the existence of gods. Also, I claimed myself to be a Buddhist before I started to read anything about it, just because I always visited temples when I had a chance, like my parents. And we do have an alter at home. I have never felt like there were restrictions on practicing Buddhism/superstition over the 24 years I lived in China (I just came to the US 2 years ago).
My first contact with the real Buddhism, however, was just 2 months ago, through the autobiography of the Zen Master Shengyan: Footprints in the Snow. The book really fascinated me in many ways and deepened my understanding about Buddhism. Later on, because of some other coincidence, I read three of his other books and now understand the very basics of Buddhism.
I just heard of Thich Nhat Hanh's name for the first time last month from a video my Vietnamese friend shared on facebook. I have read a little bit about his book on how to practice Zen. I still know very very little about it, however, I do feel my need to practice it as I have a hard time focusing now.
Yeah, I agree, the fact that Buddhism recognizes and acknowledges the values of other religions really makes it unique and totally convincing to me.
The core of Buddhism is really its Dhama, instead of god(God), like most of other religions.
I am touched when I read that the prostration to Buddha doesn't even matter as much as your adherence to the Dhama in your life.
YuJing,
I'm happy that you have found Buddhism but saddened by your naivete concerning Tibet. You stated: "as least nobody would be prevented from practice Buddhism or had to conceal their alter at home ( unless they are communists)." Actually, any Tibetan who has an alter in their house with a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama could be deemed a "splitist" and thrown in jail. Numerous religious festivals and ceremonies are banned in Tibet because of the Chinese authorities fear of large crowds of Tibetans gathering together. There have been quotas placed on the number of young men who want to join a monastery and be ordained as a monk, and the age minimum to join has been placed in the high teens. All monasteries are required to hold patriotic re-education classes each day in which monks are "taught" the benefits that the PRC has brought the Tibetans and glories of communism. Is this what you call freedom? You also stated: "I do think, however, the gov't is really against the splitists in Tibet, and the fact that religion is used as a political tool." The fact that you use language like this is proof that you have been brainwashed by the very powerful propaganda machine of PRC. As you may or may not know, the goal of Tibetans is to establish an autonomous Tibetan province within the PRC that encompasses all of greater Tibet, which includes parts of Yunnan, Sichuan, Ganzu,and Qinghai, as well as the TAR. This is a small request by the Tibetans given that their independent country was invaded in 1950 by the Red Army and have since lost over a million lives and 6000 monasteries and seen their leader forced into exile for over 50 years! Finally, you stated: "Plus not everyone in Tibet wants to separate from China--there are many who don't want to." How do you know this? Do you know any Tibetans personally? What do yo know about Tibet besides what you've heard from the propaganda machine of the PRC? I would ask you to meet and speak with Tibetans both in and out of Tibet and see what their true feelings are. Do not make claims about people's beliefs if you don't know those people to begin with. I pray that you, and all Chinese in and out of China, may one day be freed from the clouds of ignorance and realize the truth concerning Tibet. May Tibet be free!
YuJing,
I'm happy that you have found Buddhism but saddened by your naivete concerning Tibet. You stated: "as least nobody would be prevented from practice Buddhism or had to conceal their alter at home ( unless they are communists)." Actually, any Tibetan who has an alter in their house with a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama could be deemed a "splitist" and thrown in jail. Numerous religious festivals and ceremonies are banned in Tibet because of the Chinese authorities fear of large crowds of Tibetans gathering together. There have been quotas placed on the number of young men who want to join a monastery and be ordained as a monk, and the age minimum to join has been placed in the high teens. All monasteries are required to hold patriotic re-education classes each day in which monks are "taught" the benefits that the PRC has brought the Tibetans and glories of communism. Is this what you call freedom? You also stated: "I do think, however, the gov't is really against the splitists in Tibet, and the fact that religion is used as a political tool." The fact that you use language like this is proof that you have been brainwashed by the very powerful propaganda machine of PRC. As you may or may not know, the goal of Tibetans is to establish an autonomous Tibetan province within the PRC that encompasses all of greater Tibet, which includes parts of Yunnan, Sichuan, Ganzu,and Qinghai, as well as the TAR. This is a small request by the Tibetans given that their independent country was invaded in 1950 by the Red Army and have since lost over a million lives and 6000 monasteries and seen their leader forced into exile for over 50 years! Finally, you stated: "Plus not everyone in Tibet wants to separate from China--there are many who don't want to." How do you know this? Do you know any Tibetans personally? What do yo know about Tibet besides what you've heard from the propaganda machine of the PRC? I would ask you to meet and speak with Tibetans both in and out of Tibet and see what their true feelings are. Do not make claims about people's beliefs if you don't know those people to begin with. I pray that you, and all Chinese in and out of China, may one day be freed from the clouds of ignorance and realize the truth concerning Tibet. May Tibet be free!
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