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BUDDHISM

Religion of Freedom

Hoang Van Lac

Contents

Preface

Abridged Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha

I.     Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy?

II.    Different Concepts of Buddhist Tenets

III.   Buddhism – Buddhist Practice

IV.   Buddhist Practice – Changing Karma

V.    Following in Buddha’s Footsteps

Preface

The earth where we are living has a history of more than four and a half-billion years. Human history has thus passed through many transformations, dangers, and hostilities in order to attain the present high level of civilization. Archeological research inside the earth along with scientific discoveries in outerspace has implicitly recognized the veracity of Buddha’s world uttered over 2,500 years ago.

            The society where we live is built, under our instigation, on the basis of power and ignorance. When dealing with people in society as well as in schools, we must always be conscious of what we think, say and do; we must also cultivate our wisdom and compassion, two basic Buddhist virtues.

            It is not wisdom if we simply believe what we are told. True wisdom is to directly see and understand.

            Like wisdom, compassion is a uniquely human quality. When we see someone in distress and we feel their pain as if it were our own, and strive to eliminate or lessen their pain, then that is compassion.

            When enriched with wisdom and compassion, we are not misled and we will live a harmonious life, not only for ourselves but also for those around us.

            The wise man (wisdom and compassion) makes his own heaven while the foolish man creates his own hell here and hereafter.

            Since 1975, waves of Vietnamese refugees have spread throughout the word. Though experiencing a lot of troubles, and difficulties in the host countries, we have set up over 300 pagodas. Like our compatriots in other countries of the world, Vietnamese refugees in the U.S. have achieved multiple successes in every aspect, from school to society at large.

            My family and I grew up during the Vietnam War. I was a very young combatant who suffered tremendously. Killing and destruction were spread throughout the country. We came to the U.S. as refugees almost twenty-five years ago. I worked incessantly day and night to survive. The United States is a developed country; yet even during peacetime, there exists greed, hatred and delusion everywhere. We came to the temple to study the Buddha’s teaching and we found what He taught us was how to eliminate the sufferings and how to gain happiness in our daily life.

            I have been thinking of the younger Vietnamese generation, the best seed of tomorrow, who either accompanied their parent in their exodus or were born in the United States. They are presently striving to survive in this big country which is powerful in terms of science and technology but not penetrated with enough Buddhist wisdom and compassion. I have therefore decided to translate this small book into English, Buddhism: Religion of Freedom to help these young friends and others who cannot read Vietnamese to study or practice Buddhism. By chance, I have met with my old friend, Lê Tân Buu, religious name Liên Hoa Tinh Huê who has accepted after reading my book, to take charge of the translation. Ms. Kathy Penrose has agreed to assist in editing the translated version. As a result of these favorable circumstances, the English version of Buddhism: Religion of Freedom has been completed and is in your possession today.

Buddhist Calendar 2543 – Houston, Feb, 16, 1999

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