Saturday, 12/02/2023
Posting Essays
Modernizing Buddhism
Update: 30/03/2015
\r\n\r\n
While the globe is focusing on the modernization,\r\nBuddhism emphasizes on preaching and studying the spirit. On the\r\npath of propagating Buddha Dharma, obviously Buddhism should be modernized\r\nin order to be appropriate to people’s demand. Therefore, Buddhism should be\r\nmodernized as 4 following sections:
\r\n\r\nFirst section: Modernizing Buddha’s language
\r\n\r\nIn the period of Buddha’s life, India had more\r\nthan 220 kinds of language. There were 13 common ones. The Buddha also applied\r\nmany kinds of language which called “The Buddha used a sound for preaching so\r\nthat creature beings could understand up to each one to transmit the Dharma.â€\r\nTherefore, conducting languages to transmit Buddhism is a method. Hence,\r\nif we make use of languages to connect us together, we need to focus on\r\nEnglish, Japanese, Korean, French, German, etc, which\r\ndefinitely takes the commonest Dharma to the others for its\r\nbenefits.
\r\n\r\nSecond section: Modernizing science and technology in\r\nBuddhism
\r\n\r\nThe Buddhism greatly esteems the science and\r\ntechnology, as those days, when the Buddha preached, He gave examples to\r\nexplain the matters. He even showed superpower to protect creature\r\nbeings. That is a scientific and technological propagation. Nowadays,\r\nBuddhism should be modernized on the media, as well as combined the\r\ndevelopment of science in the society; for instance, using projector,\r\ntelevision, computer, internet, and even remote teaching method, etc. Those\r\nthings could be supported propagation in spreading Buddha Dharma for\r\ngaining benefits.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
Third section: Modernizing cultivating life
\r\n\r\nThe Buddhism appreciates the cultivation, because it makes\r\nthe mind become proper and releases suffering. However, the cultivation is not\r\nbased on theory and saying, it should be conducted on the daily life. For\r\ninstance, in attitude, we have to show our cultivation. We ought to\r\nhave dignity, moving as wind, sitting as a bell, lying\r\nas a bow, standing as a pine tree. In mind, we ought to keep the\r\ntranquil precepts, steady mind, perfect wisdom and passion. We ought\r\nto apply those things to the life. Also, we ought to practice blessing and\r\ninsight, to balance moral action and release, to apply theory and practice\r\nuniquely. In family and society, we ought to serve and devote, have\r\nresponsibility for our behaviors that are suitable for ideals and\r\nrules to attain many benefits.
\r\n\r\nFourth section: Modernizing pagoda as a school
\r\n\r\nWhen we innovate the architect of the pagoda, we\r\nnot only construct a praying hall, the statue of Buddha but also pay\r\nattention to construct a lecture hall, a classroom,\r\nand a library. The pagoda not only keeps the tradition of cultivation\r\nand its activities but also has a school for the usage of\r\nan education. The abbot will be a president who should invite\r\nlecturers to preach, improving the public’s knowledge, develop\r\nthe usage of many subjects such as physical education, culture, art, etc.\r\nTherefore, modernizing pagoda as the school will increase many dedication of\r\nthe Buddhism into the education of the society and Buddhists’ cultivation\r\nand realization will be increased. Modernizing is a general trend of the world.\r\nThat is why the Buddhism should be integrated so that every walk of life could\r\nbe approached easily for re-educating individual, family and society by Buddha\r\nDharma. Those are four points that we should modernize to\r\npopularize Tathagata ’s teachings.
\r\n\r\nNgÆ°á»i dịch: ThÃch Chiếu\r\nTúc.
\r\n\r\nHT. Tinh Vân
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Translated into English by Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung.
\r\n\r\n