LINH SON TEMPLE ———— 0 ) 0 ————–
Da Lat, 6th October, 2009
No.: 418/VT/BTS
Attention: THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT OF THE BCVN
Re.: Report on the incidents of 27/09/09 at Bat Nha Monastery and Phuoc Hue Temple, Bao Loc District, Lam Dong Province
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Based on document 245/CV-HDTS, dated 02/10/09 of the Council of Management of the Central Government (CMCG) regarding the suggested reporting of the issues above
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Based on the content of the extra-ordinary meeting of the District Board of Management of the Buddhist Church of Viet Nam, Lam Dong (DBMBCVNLD) on 06/10/09
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Now the DBMBCVNLD report on the events of 27/09/09 at Bat Nha Monastery (BNM) as follows:
The DBMBCVNLD have gained an understanding of the events on 27/09/09 through the local media, and a report from Venerable Thich Thai Thuan, who is a main representative of the Buddhists of Bao Loc District. A mob broke down the doors to the monastic residence, aggressively assaulted, insulted, cursed and dragged out 380 monks and nuns of Plum Village in an attempt to evict them from BNM. A number of the monks and nuns they abandoned by the roadside, a number were taken to their home against their will, these included Br Phap Hoi, Br Phap Sy, and the whereabouts of Br Phap Tu is unclear. A number of monks and nuns wandering the streets under torrential rain were taken in by the Venerable Thich Thai Thuan as temporary refugees at Phuoc Hue Temple, Bao Loc District. This has affected public opinion, caused unrest among the public community, monks and nuns and lay practitioners, both inside and outside of the country. It has seriously injured the reputation of the DBMBCVNLD, and more broadly the reputation of BCVN.
Since 27/09/09 until now, the situation of monks and nuns temporarily residing at Phuoc Hue Temple is extremely complex. Accommodation facilities there are severely lacking, the monks and nuns are day and night being harassed by police, National Frontier officers, and all levels of religious officers. These people have been continually impelling the monks and nuns to return to their native village or town. The Abbot of Phuoc Hue temple, Venerable Thich Thai Thuan and other groups who have come to visit are being given a hard time by the local government police.
According to point four of document 037/CV-HDTS of the Council of Management of the BCVN: “If any Abbot has the goodwill to sponsor the monks and nuns practising according to Plum Village teachings at BNM to stay at another temple then they would have to begin registration procedures with the Board of Management of that local area”.
According to document 425 of the Council of Management dated 02/10/09 it is confirmed that: “All issues regarding the monks and nuns practising Plum Village teachings are of concern to the Central Dept. of the BCVN, and we are currently coordinating with the Board of Management, Local Government of Lam Dong Province, Bao Loc District to find the best resolution with the aim of settling the Buddhist situation in the local area.
However, on 27/09/09 there was an incident at BNM and Phuoc Hue Temple, Bao Loc district that affected public opinion and caused unrest among the monks and nuns.”
Examining the two documents by the Council of Management of the BCVN mentioned above, it is clear that the highest level of the law of the BCVN has affirmed that the monks and nuns practising according to the teachings of Plum Village at BNM belong directly under the BCVN.
Now the DBMBCVNLD presents to the Council of Management of the BCVN a number of recommendations as follows:
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The Sangha of Plum Village at BNM has been ratified by document 212/CV/HDTS, dated 25/05/06 by the Council of Management. Is this document still effective? If not, we recommend that the Central Department of Religious Affairs provide the motion to annul the above document so that the DBMBCVNLD has the legal foundation on which to act further.
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We recommend that the Council of Management intervene, at all government levels of Lam Dong Province, Bao Loc District, to allow that Plum Village monks and nuns can temporarily reside at Phuoc Hue Temple, Bao Loc District until another location is organised; to not cause difficulties for Venerable Thich Thai Thuan; to not impel the monks and nuns temporarily residing at Phuoc Hue Temple to return to their native town, because they have the right to ordain, learn and practice according to their faith in our country.
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We recommend that the Central Department of the BCVN timely appoints a delegation to work with the Board of Management and the local government of Lam Dong Province and Bao Loc District to find the best solution, with the aim to settle the Buddhist situation in the local area.
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We recommend that the Council of Management looks into finding an appropriate place where the monks and nuns of Plum Village can practice with peace of mind in accord with the charter of the BCVN and the laws and regulations of the government.
We wish you well-rounded success.
ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
OF THE BUDDHIST CHURCH OF VIET NAM, LAM DONG
VICE CHAIRMAN
VENERABLE THICH TOAN DUC
CC:
-As above
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