The Buddhist Revival Movement in the First Half of the 20th Century and Lessons for Vietnamese Buddhism Today

Abstract

The emergence and development of the Buddhist revival movement in the first half of the twentieth century marked a new revolution in the historical trajectory of Vietnamese Buddhism. Although the revival and reforms initiated by the movement did not cover all aspects of Buddhism, they contributed significantly to the necessary “quantitative changes” that paved the way for subsequent “qualitative leaps” of Vietnamese Buddhism. Looking back on the past to draw lessons for the present and the future is not only a scholarly endeavor but also embraces profound practical value. With this purpose, the article analyzes and presents the main achievements of the Buddhist revival movement in Vietnam during the first half of the twentieth century. Through this, it seeks to provide additional references and lessons to the process of constructing and developing Buddhism in the current context.