GHPGVNTHHK Tiểu Lục Thần Thông Translated by Ven. Thích Trừng Sỹ
FIFTY YEARS, A JOURNEY OF VIETNAMESE BUDDHISM IN THE UNITED STATES
Buddhism, like the fate of the people, always ups and downs with the times. Fifty years ago, the country experienced a tragic upheaval, followed by harsh and miserable days that forced millions of people to leave their homeland. Those who left could be evacuees, cross borders, cross seas… Rushing into death to find a way to live.
People who left brought with them thin and weak bodies, broken and tattered souls. They left with empty hands, leaving everything behind. After arriving in the new land, they had to rebuild from the beginning. One of those things was to build Vietnamese Temples on the new land. In addition to studying to earn a living, they are also passionate about propagating and practicing Buddhism.
Building a temple is not an easy task, not only in terms of economics but also in terms of legal issues, culture, and the attitudes of local residents… It must be said that it is a hundred thousand difficulties, however, with high devotion, with deep confidence in the Three Jewels, with determination not to be afraid of difficulties… From then on, Temples gradually sprung up all over the United States in particular and the world in general.
Fifty years have passed, now Vietnamese Buddhism has a solid foothold, a spacious and decent facility, and legal status… There are monasteries and temples that help native people become monastic people. Specifically, Dharma Centers belonging to Plum Village in Deer Park San Diego, in Blue Cliff New York, in Mộc Lan Mississippi, etc.
Overseas Vietnamese Buddhism is fortunate to have eminent monastic people with great virtues, well-versed in both Buddhist and non-Buddhist scriptures, such as Venerable Thích Thiên Ân, Thích Trí Chơn, Thích Nhất Hạnh, Thích Như Điển, etc. Young monastic people are also full of potential, such as Venerable Monk Thích Nguyên Tạng, Venerable Nun Thích Hạnh Từ, etc.
This year, the Vietnamese American United Buddhist Congregation organized a ceremony to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday at JFK Hocky Fields Park, a wonderful location on the shores of the Tidal Basin, surrounded by a complex of American historical sites such as the Washington Monument, Abraham Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, World War II Memorial, etc.
Getting permission to hold a joint Buddha’s birthday celebration for the overseas Vietnamese community here is a difficult process. The organizing committee continuously asked for permission and explained to the local authorities to convince them. It must be said that the monastic and volunteers were excellent.
In addition to applying for a permit, the organizing committee had to prepare a mountain of work from raising funds, organizing transportation, vehicles, accommodation for thousands of people, contacting and hiring security police, medical staff, etc. The organizing committee and all volunteers worked enthusiastically, passionately, and thoughtfully.
This year’s Buddha’s Birthday is a major event for Vietnamese Buddhism overseas, marking the past fifty years. This year’s Buddha’s Birthday in the capital of Washington, DC, is a major “debut” to the American public.
Many Americans and tourists here have curiously stopped by to watch the ceremony. The activities of this great ceremony have watered and imbued the image of Buddhism, the religion of compassion and wisdom, the path of peace for humanity in the present and in the future.
The Buddha’s Birthday marks fifty years of Vietnamese Buddhism with the participation of Venerable Monastic people from all continents. The Most Venerable Thích Như Điển and his Buddhist devotees coming from Germany – Europe. Senior Venerable Thích Nguyên Tạng and his fellow Buddhists coming from Australia. The Most Venerable Elders, Senior Venerable Ones, Venerable monks and nuns, and lay Buddhist devotees coming from all different states gathered together.
We can briefly mention the states such as: California, Michigan, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Texas, etc. It can be said that this year’s Buddha’s birthday ceremony is the biggest and most crowded ever. The monks, nuns, and all Buddhists are extremely happy. In addition to the usual rituals, this year’s Buddha’s birthday ceremony also included a prayer program for Vietnam at the Vietnam War Memorial.
Giác Sơn Buddhist Temple and the Organizing Committee organized a flower car procession to perform around the important area, the most powerful area in America, which is the area around the roads surrounding the White Palace, the Washington Monument (Vietnamese people call it the pencil tower), running around the Nation Mall…
The chants, the sounds of the bells and drums of prajna resounded in the sky and land of Washington, DC. The Buddha’s teachings have been propagated right in the sacred land of America, the heart of America. Buddhist devotees around the world could not help but be moved by these sacred moments right here.
