ASEAN Studies Center of MCU Attended on the International Seminar of Mekong River Basin on “Buddhism for Peace in Mekong Community” at Buddhist University, , Vietnam on 6th – 8th March 2015 Lampong Klomkul, Ph.D. Orranate Boonnak ASEAN Studies Center, MCU Introduction

Studying Buddhist history and Buddhist development always analyze and interpret through architectural symbols and Buddhist belief that appear in India. In the past, it used to study only in one area and also separated from other aspects. The aspects of economics, politics, society, cultures, tradition, belief and values were not included as a part of the study and interpreting. The Basin of Mekong River is the connection between 5 ASEAN countries which consisted of Thai, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Most of the populations of these five countries are Buddhist and Buddhism is the national religion. These five countries also have the connection between land or border, the similarity of languages and cultures, and paying respect to Theravada Buddhism. In order to prepare for being the ASEAN community, these five countries need to create the strength in the aspects of cultures, economics and politics which will encourage people having good life with peace and sufficiency. Therefore, the main purpose of this seminar is to study, analyze and interpret Buddhism in region level in order to guide the clear scenario of Buddhist symbols, history and development that will lead to long term strength and close relationship between each country within this region.

Point of View from Buddhist Educators The main point of view from ASEAN Buddhist educators were expressed in the seminar within the topic of Buddhism for peace in Mekong community. Each educator has shared their own point of view as the following. 2

Venerable Sayadej Vongsopha1 has presented about “Building peace and happiness in Laos through the local ritual ceremonies, lifestyle, beliefs, and traditions. Buddhism has influenced and shaped the lifestyle of Lao people. It has contributed to the way of simplicity and peace through various aspects of life such as learning, practicing and living with it. Lao people mainly and innately live with Buddhist ritual, traditional, and practical ways. They involve with Buddhism since their birth until the last breath of life. Since the day they are born, the ceremony of welcoming new born baby is held and when they leave the world, the funeral ceremony is done. Traditionally, Buddhist traditional and cultural ceremonies are organized a whole year in Laos. There are twelve series of ceremonies which one of them is monthly organized in Laos, it is called “Hid sip song” in Laos. This tradition was created by ancient Lao Buddhist scholars in order to incorporate lifestyle with Buddhism. Lao people have embraced this tradition as part of life. Through the traditional and local ritual ceremonies, they have opportunities to learn and practice the Dhamma regularly. It is an accessible way of learning and practicing the Dhamma for them. Ven. Sayadej Vongsopha has concluded that traditional, lifestyles, belief, ceremonies and practical Buddhism are traditionally and daily practices. However, there are some threats to these ways of Buddhist life. The age of globalization, technological trends seem to be impacts of what we have practiced. The attempts to preserve and promote these ways of life are needed through education and real practice. Tin Tin Lay2 who is an educator from Myanmar has presented about Buddhism help building peace and happiness in Myanmar through the local ritual ceremonies, lifestyle, beliefs and tradition. She has concluded that most Buddhist parents regard the undertaking of their son to novitiate and grant permission to spend sometimes in monastery as the best religious gift which they can give him believing to have a lasting effect on his life, He spends how short it may be in a Buddhist monastery as a novice, his delicate character would be molded by following the strict disciplines, austerity of monastic life, studying Buddhist scriptures, practicing meditation. In addition, he will be courageous to confront the future with understanding and loving kindness for all living being. Tin Tin Lay also presented about Shinpyu novitiation ceremony. This ceremony is one of the most important events in a

1 Lecturer at the Sangha College in Vientiane, Lao PDR 2 Buddhist Educator for Myanmar 3

Buddhist life in Myanmar. For a Myanmar Buddhist man, he must become a novice at least once in his life time since it is the pre-requisite for conducting higher ordinary. In fact, this Shinpyu ceremony is unique not only the individual concerned but also to Myanmar new generation for leading life in peace and happiness. Venerable Vy Sovechea3 has presented on the topic about “How does Buddhism help building peace and happiness in Cambodia through, local ritual ceremonies, lifestyle, beliefs and tradition?”. He has expressed the impact of Buddhism to Cambodian Culture. He mentioned that Buddhism remains an influential force in Cambodia religion and in everyday life. However, it is still rebuilding from the loss of so many leaders and teachers during the Khmer Rouge period. Over the years, Buddhism has played a central role in Cambodian society, serving as a blue print for everyday life, a moral structure, a guide for family life, basis for national holidays, cultural events, and a foundation for social policy. He also mentioned about the role of Buddhist monk. Buddhist monks traditionally were called upon to perform a number of functions in Cambodian life. They participated in all formal village festivals, ceremonies, marriages and funerals. The monk’s major function was to say prayers of blessing. The monk also traditionally occupied a unique position in the transmission of Khmer culture and values. Venerable Assoc. Prof. Hansa Dhammahaso (Ph.D.) and People, D. have presented about “No River, No Peace: Buddhism along the Mekong River”. The Mekong River is considered the 4th most important river in all of Asia, but it may be the most important river for over 60 million people of Southeast Asia. It has its source in Tibetan region of China, and then continues flowing down into Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam. Mekong River is considered as a major river for Buddhism. They also mentioned that the people of the region are already culturally Buddhist, but now they need to be educated Buddhists in the Dhamma – Vinaya. When Buddhists avoid the Dhamma – vinaya and invent their own methods, crisis results. The Mekong cannot sleep and it cannot run dry that we have seen for more than a thousand years. The Mekong River ecology is like a nimitta, a healthy sign for our progress. Activities of the International seminar of Mekong community can be shown as below figure.

3 Director of Foundation Year Studies Department, Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University, Battambang Brance, Kingdom of Cambodia. 4

Figure 1 Attending the International Seminar of Mekong Community in Vietnam

Exploring Vietnamese Ways In Vietnam trip, we also have the opportunity to explore and learn more about Vietnamese. Visiting War Remnants Museum guided us to discover about historical truths of and to see the collection of war documentary photos. Many photos showed about imprisonment conditions during the War and aggressive war crimes. The museum intends to call the public to say no to war. Cu Chi Tunnel is also one of interesting visiting place in Vietnam. The Relics of Cu Chi Tunnel are being preserved at Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh, and it about 70 km in the North-West of Ho Chi Minh City centre. This was the base of Cu Chi District Party Committee during the resistance to the American. It was also the place for dining, living, meeting, as well as a unique battle deployment with contribution to 5

fighting the enemy and national salvation. We have learned and explored more about Vietnam history. Moreover, we also had the opportunity to visit local market called “Ben Tan”. There are a variety of goods and interesting things to see and buy for the souvenir and present.

The Connection between ASEAN Buddhist Educators ASEAN Studies Center of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University has made the connection between Buddhist educators in order to provide the opportunity to share body of knowledge from each other in the future through article writing and conducting research in Buddhism, Education and culture as be shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 ASEAN Studies of MCU and Buddhist Educators

Conclusion Attending this International Seminar of Buddhism for Peace in Mekong Community provided us as ASEAN studies team to explore more about Buddhism and culture in Vietnam which is one of the ASEAN countries. We have learned about Vietnam history, language and culture. We also have an opportunity to share our idea and made the connection to Buddhist educator who attending this seminar in order to make a connection and build research network on Buddhism, education and culture between ASEAN countries.