DIALOGUE WITH VEN. THÍCH MINH NHẪN: STRENGTHENING FAITH IN THE DHARMA AND GAINING RIGHT UNDERSTANDING OF BUDDHIST MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
In this age of digital technology and a flattened world, media platforms are advancing at breathtaking speed, bringing many advantages to Buddhist affairs and supporting the Sangha in fulfilling its mission of propagating the Dharma, allowing the Buddha's teachings to spread deeply and widely.
Photo: The dialogue session with Venerable Thích Minh Nhẫn
STRENGTHENING FAITH IN THE DHARMA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
In this age of digital technology and a flattened world, media platforms are advancing at breathtaking speed, bringing many advantages to Buddhist affairs and supporting the Sangha in fulfilling its mission of propagating the Dharma, allowing the Buddha's teachings to spread deeply and widely. Yet the power of technology is also something difficult to grasp, capable of creating many risks and challenges for Buddhist media work, especially for the younger generation of monastics. So how can we develop the potential of Buddhist media, help lay Buddhists strengthen their faith in the Dharma, and protect the Buddha's teachings in the right way amid this context?
Photo: Venerable Thích Minh Nhẫn
At the dialogue session themed "Gaining Right Understanding of Buddhist Media in the Digital Age," jointly organized by the Buddhist Affairs Online channel and the Diệu Tướng Am cultural and art space, Venerable Thích Minh Nhẫn and journalist Lưu Đình Long raised key issues, gradually offering answers, and shared measures and plans for Buddhist media to fully realize its potential.
According to Ven. Thích Minh Nhẫn, the issue of Buddhist media is extremely diverse, and so we must examine it from the true purpose of Buddhism to gain a more comprehensive and accurate perspective on media information concerning the Buddha's teachings and the generations of his disciples. We should view all matters with wisdom and compassion, guided by the standards of the Three Dharma Seals or the Four Dharma Seals.
Photo: Dialogue session at Diệu Tướng Am
The Venerable also emphasized that any sincere and devoted Buddhist will possess a clear-sighted, objective, and proactive perspective when receiving and processing information on social media platforms. The Buddha taught in the Dhammapada:
"Chư ác mạc tác
Chúng thiện phụng hành
Tự tịnh kỳ ý
Thị chư Phật giáo"
Which means:
"Refrain from all evil,
Cultivate what is good,
Purify the mind—
This is the teaching of all Buddhas."
BUDDHIST MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
When using social media, we should also exercise self-restraint, avoiding excessive reactions or harsh words when encountering things that displease us. What we see online may not be entirely true, or may only reflect part of the truth. Therefore, if social media is used to praise good deeds and share kind, beautiful thoughts, that is worth doing—but using it to spread negativity should absolutely be avoided.
Photo: Dialogue session at Diệu Tướng Am
The Buddha also taught "Rely on the Dharma, not on the person" — meaning we should rely on the teaching itself, not on the individual who conveys it. From the beginning, we follow the Buddha's path out of devotion to the Dharma, not because of the shortcomings of a portion of the Sangha should we abandon the Right Path. To do so would be a great pity for a life that has the karmic affinity to encounter the Buddhadharma.
As the season of Vesak—the season of love and understanding—arrives, may every child of the Buddha diligently practice the precious teachings of the Buddha, take an active role in receiving information, and maintain a calm and thorough perspective—first, to strengthen one's own faith in the Dharma, and second, to help spread love and wisdom, creating a peaceful environment for all beings.
Photo: Ven. Thích Minh Nhẫn and lay Buddhists at the dialogue session
We respectfully invite Venerable Monks and Nuns, lay Buddhists, and valued customers to look forward to the dialogue's content, to be broadcast on the Buddhist Affairs Online channel during this year's Vesak celebration.
With utmost respect and appreciation!
