Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Hanoi, November 25, 2003

To: Mr Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America

On behalf of the President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, I warmly greet the Mr Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America.

Dear Mr Speaker,

On November 19, 2003 the House of the Representatives of the United States of America passed the resolution H. Res. 427 with five points sponsored by some members of the House of Representatives, which seriously hurts our organisation. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is the only organisation that represents Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people in Vietnamese foreign and domestic relations as well as our honorable, human dignity and legitimate rights. That is the very reason why we are raising our voice to protect the legitimate interests of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha came into being in the Conference for Vietnamese Buddhist Unification (November 4-7, 1981) in Hanoi. During this conference, nine Buddhist sects and organisations including the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam merged. The motivation for the conference resulted from four campaigns for Vietnam Buddhist Unification in our country in 1951, 1960, 1964 and 1980.

In the opening speech for the 1981 Conference, the Most Venarable Thich Tri Thu - the President of the Dharma Propagation Council of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and the head of the Board of Vietnamese Buddhist Unification - confirmed: "It is the first time during the 2000 year history of Vietnam Buddhism, we have organised a conference that gathers deputies from the Buddhist Sangha, branches and organisations from all over the country: Mahayana, Theravada, Buddhist Beggars Organisation, Buddhist Khmer Organisation, monks and nuns both old and young, in this impressive and splendid hall with a strong determination for achieving Vietnam Buddhist Unification."

Bring into full play the national tradition of the 2000 year history of Vietnam Buddhism, over the past 22 years since its foundation, the Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people have truly been living in solidarity and harmony and recorded many significant Buddhist achievements beneficial to our religion and our life, winning the hearts and confidence of Vietnamese Buddhist monks, nuns, lay people and all the Vietnamese people as well as foreigners. Therefore, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has become a crucial factor in our international and national good relations.

However, in our Sangha, there remain some people who are not satisfied with the activities and organisation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. But in fact, their views and opinions are not for the common interest of Vietnam Buddhism, but are rather concentrated on their personal and political interests. As a result, their activities have negatively affected the nation and religious solidarity, and violated the law of Vietnam. Their practices are absolutely contrary to the teaching of Buddha.

Therefore, the monks, nuns and lay people of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha strongly condemns the resolution H. Res. 427 passed by the House of the Representatives of the United States of America on recognising the "origination" and the "leaders" of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, which came into existence in 1981 as a result of voluntary participation in the Conference for the Vietnamese Buddhist Unification in 1981 which resulted in the foundation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. The approval of the Resolution is a grave error creating a dangerous precedent for some ill-willed people who want to exploit the past to undermine Vietnamese national solidarity and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

As the president of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, I request the Speaker of the House of the Representatives of the United States of America to act in his capacity prevent these and similar activities of some of the House members who extort the situation of the Vietnamese religious practices to intervene in the religious internal affairs of Vietnam in general and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in particular.

As a religious organisation, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha always observes the progress of the relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and other nations including the United States of America. The relations between Vietnam and America has seen positive results, meeting the expectations of the two countries on the basis of "closing the past and looking to the future," as stated by the former President Mr Bill Clinton in his visit to Vietnam in 2000.

Being well aware of the harmony, peace and social equality by promoted through Buddha's teaching in service of the nation, the homeland and well-being is the stance of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is the only organisation that represents Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people in Vietnamese foreign and domestic relations. With the spirit of co-operation, understanding and respect, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is longing for the exchange on issues related to the situation of religious and belief practices in Vietnam including the one of Vietnam Buddhism.

Once again, on behalf of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, I want to send best regards to the Speaker of the House of Representative of the United States of America. I wish that, with your capacity and position, Mr Speaker you will take more positive steps to promote friendly relations between our two nations rather than undermine our mutual interests due to the negative activities of some ill-will members.


Yours sincerely,


President of the Executive Council
of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha
The Most Venerable Thich Tri Tinh