An Analytical Study of the Role and Influence of the Most Venerable Thích Trí Tịnh in Propagating Pure Land Buddhism in Vietnam

Abstract

This article aims to achieve three primary objectives related to Most Ven. Thích Trí Tịnh 1) To study his life and works, 2) To study the propagation of Pure Land Buddhist teachings associated with him, 3) To analyze his role and influence in the dissemination of Pure Land Buddhism within Vietnam. The research methodology employed is documentary research, involving a study of various documents and an analysis of Buddhist texts.

The findings show that the life and works of the Most Venerable Thích Trí Tịnh, who is a great monk and an excellent student and practitioner of the Buddha’s Teaching. Throughout most of his life for sentient beings, he left behind an extremely great work of translating Mahāyāna scriptures for Vietnamese Buddhism. His practice methods and teachings have been adopted and followed by many disciples to practice and achieve happiness in the present. According to his teachings of Pure Land Buddhism faith, vow, and practice are the main teachings, and to achieve good results in daily life vegetarianism practice, sutta chanting, and reciting the Buddha’s name are very valuable. In addition, the practitioner should know how to take advantage of “MOT practice” or free time to practice any day any time to improve oneself better. Regarding his role and influence in propagating Pure Land Buddhism in Vietnam, he left behind an extremely great work of translating Mahayana scriptures for Vietnamese Buddhism. Furthermore, the influence on Vietnamese society, the Sangha community, culture, environment, education, etc., made great contributions. In particular, the pure land practice method that he revised and propagated has become one of the main practice methods in Vietnam to this day.