The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Independence – Freedom – Happiness
BLOOD LETTER
Namo Sakyamuni Buddhaya
With respect to all our patriarchs and ancestors,
We come before you on behalf of hundreds of young monks and nuns who are studying and practicing Buddhism in the province of Lam Dong. We also represent thousands of lay Buddhist practitioners who are ready to follow our deep call for help. This letter is written with our own blood.
Over many months, the young monks and nuns residing in Bat Nha Monastery have been continually harassed by powerful groups from outside. Meanwhile, inside the temple, the monks and nuns have been forced to live without electricity and without running water. The situation has become even more stressful as they have had to face psychological and physical violence every day. We, from outside, didn’t know the true source of the problem, and that is why we remained silent until now. We are young monks and nuns from Lam Dong Province; we have good education, we have right understanding, and we have solidarity, compassion and love for all of our brothers and sisters in the spirit of our Buddhist monastic code. We are not gullible, impulsive, or easily carried away by any situation. We also do not want to interfere with the politics nor the national security nor matters of sensitivity to the government. However, facing all the incidents that happened at Bat Nha monastery on the 26, 27, and 28 of September 2009, we learned that the young monastics there have been attacked by violent mobs seeking to evict them out of the monastery. These young innocent monastics have been forced out of their home in heavy rain and storms without raincoats, food or shelter. They have been insulted and beaten, and subjected to the most terribly obscene acts. All these things happened right before the very eyes of the policemen and local authorities. Therefore, this is not just the “internal problem” of Bat Nha monastery; these acts clearly have been orchestrated by the government. Having seen our Dharma brothers and sisters violently terrorized, attacked, and brutally dragged out of their temple, we cannot just pretend that nothing is happening. The bond between us as monastic brothers and sisters is sacred and indestructible. We cannot just sit here witnessing our monastic brothers and sisters being oppressed like that, so we write this letter with our own blood to request that all levels of government do the following:
- If this is an internal issue of the Buddhist organization, then please let the Buddhist organization resolve the matter.
- Bring a complete stop to all forms of aggression and hostility against the monks and nuns practicing in the Plum Village tradition (who are now taking refuge in Phuoc Hue temple).
- Let the 400 monks and nuns continue to practice their monastic code of precepts, within the protection of the Venerable monks and nuns in the province.
- Stop all acts of force, threat, obstruction and pressure against the monastics from outside forces.
This letter is written with our own blood, uniquely motivated by the love we share as fellow monastics on the same path. We are nonpartisan; we have absolutely no political agenda. If this request is ignored, it will be a great shame before all our spiritual ancestors. Therefore, if the government continues any of these kinds of pressure as it has been doing, we inform you in advance that we are ready to give our lives for the sake of our monastic brotherhood and sisterhood; and the outcome will be unpredictable.
May all the Great Bodhisattvas be our witness.
Lam Dong, September, 30.2009
In the name of all the young monks and nuns of Lam Dong province,
Together signed,
What a powerful, direct, and supporting message from fellow monastics within Vietnam. Share this with your friends.
We are watching, as is God. The atrocities and restrictions need to stop. NOW!!!
My heart breaks for these young monks and nuns. From afar I bear witness to their suffering and I wish for peace.
I bow deeply to all the monastics of Lam Dong Province who show such natural and true attention and practice with their whole being. May the energy of their commitment bring an end to the conflict and reconciliation. Not only the monastice Of Lam Dong Province feel such deep regard but also many people watching around the world.
I deeply pray for all this brothers and sisters this beloved mothers and fathers beings.
….”May all sentient beings be fee from suffering and its causes”…
I sincerely hope that the monastics of Lam Dong province will not find it necessary to give their lives. I hope they will not give their lives too easily. A life, one’s life is a very precious gift and not to be thrown away lightly. I hope the monastics of Lam Dong province will do everything and exhaust all avenues to try to address these issues, short of giving their lives, in the non violent and compassionate tradition of Buddha Shakyamuni.
With great respect,
Adam Breasley, Australia
After having recently spent a week practicing with Thay here in California I feel very close to the brothers and sisters practicing in Vietnam and am hurting for them. It’s so shameful and hard to believe. I pray for peace now!
The English translation is too literal and liberal with words and ideas not in the original letter. It’s unfortunate because there’s now a huge debate on why the letter sounds too threatening and so non-Buddhist. I hope this site will make the appropriate change to reflect the true intent of the author.
Praying for a peaceful resolution and safety for the monks and nuns at Phuoc Hue Temple.
I don’t understand this. The photo is of a suicide. But the letter gives the impression their lives are being threatened from the outside. Which is it?
They are young and passionate monastics, clearly, but please don’t let these disciples who stand up for peace and life give in to suicide and death – this is a very poor example for the youth all over the world! I hope this is not what this letter is saying.
This message is confusing to me, and yet I am behind them with my prayers. Please, somebody, explain their intentions. This does not seem to be in accord with the teaches of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Non-violence against other and self is the way.
It touching me deeply, seeing and heering the pain and suffering of these young monk and nuns.
What kind of cause is behind that? What kind of fear must be in the goverment, that they dont provide protection for the monk and nuns?
I feel on one side in this moment helpless and on the other side, I believe in non violence, as Ghandi testified.
May the inner strength of the young nuns and monks be strong enough, to resist the mob in peace and non violence and may the resulting karma do the rest.
Namaste
prayer is all i have to offer to these brave monks and nuns.
[...] Blood Letter From Monastics of Lam Dong Province – http://helpbatnha.org/2009/09/blood-letter-from-monastics-of-lam-dong-province/ [...]
What can be done to help? I am so sorry that the country where this happened does not have freedom of religion. I have heard Thich Nhat Hanh speak and his message is love and peace for all living things, regardless of whether or not one practices any religion. He is not at all political, so it is very hard to understand why such violence should be done to these Buddhists monks and nuns who have worked so long and hard to make Bat Nha monastery a place of peace and study.
I have a Question for the Vietnamese Government: “What do You Have Against The Bat Nha Monastery and Buddhists in Lam Dong (Plum Village) Province Vietnam?”. Seriously, Those monastics and lay people don’t deserve to be put in Such a bad situation. I don’t think the Vietnamese Government have a clue what HUMAN RIGHTS ARE!
I THINK ALL THIS VIOLENCE SHOULD STOP NOW!
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Lam Dong, Bat Nha, and the Entire Buddhist Sangha,
We bear witness to your struggle and the struggle for religious freedom in Viet Nam. You are not alone, not invisible, not unsupported. If you are standing cold in the rain, we are standing there with you. If you are without shelter, we hold you in the sheltering care and strength of our hearts. We will not let your struggle be in vain, nor will we let the violence of the Vietnamese government go unnoticed. The world is watching. We bow before your inspired courage, and at the same time, we need your very best right now. We need you to touch your deepest silence and watchful patience. In all wise action, timing and placement are critical. Today, you act for all of us. It is our hope that you will keep the clear, compassionate fire of your hearts burning brightly, and at the same time balance it with the cool waters of patient wisdom. I write as one, but imagine that I speak for many when I send you love, support and encouragement along your path.
Thank you for removing the photo of the monk burning.
I agree with the above post by Jeffrey Ringold 100%.
Namaste.
peace!!!I am wonder is the the leader regarding the attack Bat Nha Monastery? should he or she go to jail.
Peace.