Hoa Hao Buddhist Church
Saigon, March 1, 2000
TO: |
Your Excellency LE KHA PHIEU, Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary Your Excellency PHAN VAN KHAI, Prime Minister Your Excellency the Department of Military Your Excellency the Department of Interior Your Excellency Chairman of Central Religious Affairs Department
|
SUBJECT: |
Memorial service commemorating the 53 anniversary of of Prophet Huynh Phu So's abduction at Doc Vang on April 17, 1947. |
Honorable Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Hoa Hao Buddhist community, I would like to address the following important memorandums:
There are three main ceremonies celebrated annually according to the Hoa Hao Buddhist tradition:
The ceremony commemorating Prophet Huynh Phu So's abduction by Viet Minh forces in 1947 is important for the 5 million PGHH followers. This is a historical event engraved deeply in the hearts and souls of all Hoa Hao Buddhists, there are no reasons or excuses for not commencing this memorial service.
On April 17, 1947, Prophet Huynh Phu So was abducted at Doc Vang. Each year the Hoa Hao Buddhist community establishes a grand ceremony solemnly filled with spiritual belief and prayers for all Hoa Hao Buddhist followers.
From April 30, 1975 to present time, the Vietnamese Communist government applied a policy of oppression against the Hoa Hao Buddhist. All Hoa Hao Buddhist holidays were not allowed to be observed or celebrated. Regardless, the Hoa Hao Buddhist has battle these oppressive policies and celebrates the memorial service in secrecy. Therefore, we believe the power of influence and policy cannot destroy the faith of 5 million Hoa Hao Buddhist followers.
The memorial service commemorating the 53 anniversary of Prophet Huynh Phu So's abduction at Doc Vang will be held on March 30, 2000 at Hoa Hao Village. Even though the state sanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Representative Board (HHBRB) decreed the abolishment of the memorial service. This decreed violates the basic sanctity of FREEDOM OF RELIGION and it must not happen in a society that proclaimed "LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE TO BUILD A BETTER COUNTRY" (from LE KHA PHIEU).
At the same time, I would like to share with you the following; generally speaking as the history of human kind moved to the end of the 20th century, and specifically speaking for Vietnam, the reoccurrence of the oppression of religion's right in a democratic society is seriously mistaken by your policy.
Mr. Le Quang Vinh, Chairman of the Central Religious Affairs Department is the main figure behind the creation of the state sanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Representative Board, comprised of mostly communist party members. The establishment of the HHBRB is a vicious ploy to destroy Hoa Hao Buddhism without firing a single bullet. Therefore, the HHBRB continues to attack, discriminate, and destroy all traditional Hoa Hao Buddhist believes and rites in a way that does not need weapons, tear gas, clubs and water hoses….
As our country enters the year 2000, we are at the peak of the "RENEW, OPEN, ACCORD", and the spirit of unity of the people in which the party and the country are developing. Mr. Le Quang Vinh's action against Hoa Hao Buddhist is destroying the party's prestige and the country's stability. Mr. Le Quang Vinh's actions blemish the credibility of the party and the faces of Vietnam.
I had sent two petitions to Mr. Le Quang Vinh requesting a dialogue to discuss the Hoa Hao Buddhist issues. Six months passed and Mr. Le Quang Vinh is silent and continues his oppressive campaign against the Hoa Hao Buddhist community.
As the Secretary of State, the Honorable Le Kha Phieu said, "the people have freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to inspect and examine…" and from Ho Chi Minh, "we must walk closely and listen to the people. From small and major policy to our daily actions must benefit the people, and must start from the aspiration requests of the people". Is this belief being practice by Mr. Le Quang Vinh?
Returning to the main subject, I would like to confirm with the gentlemen:
To abolish the memorial service commemorating the abduction of Prophet Huynh Phu So at Doc Vang on April, 17 1947 is a direct violation of human rights and the freedom of religion as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
This year, the spirit of freedom of religion is strong, the Hoa Hao Buddhist community will continue to celebrate this holy day. We request the party members to instruct all local ranking members to create a peaceful path for our community to celebrate this holy day which is filled with peace and tranquility.
The Hoa Hao Buddhist community is determined to use all means possible to ensure the memorial service is celebrated, Regardless of the oppressive policies being conjured, the Hoa Hao Buddhist community will not back down. The Hoa Hao Buddhist community will work in accordance with the law and rights guaranteed to all citizens by the constitution.
Our belief in "RENEW, OPEN, ACCORD" policy and most importantly the unity of the people and the party members, together speaking, the spirit of humanity, the advancement of party members, from our voices, we hope that this year's celebration will be the result of peace and reconciliation.
News Source:
Le Quang Liem.
Saigon, Vietnam
Date: March 2, 2000
Time: 10:00 AM
Last Modified March 10, 2000
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