Proposal Overview:
This research paper will focus on the philosophical perspectives that shaped Vietnam’s resistance during the Vietnam War, with an emphasis on Thich Nhat Hanh’s contributions to the concept of Engaged Buddhism and its role in peacebuilding and reconciliation. The paper will also examine the influence of other Vietnamese philosophers and theologians, particularly how their ideas on non-violence, war, and peace influenced the moral and ethical approach of Vietnamese society during the war. Through these lenses, the research will offer a deeper understanding of how philosophical and religious beliefs were intertwined with Vietnam’s wartime strategies and resistance movements.
Research Questions:
1. How did Thich Nhat Hanh’s philosophy of Engaged Buddhism contribute to the broader Vietnamese resistance during the Vietnam War?
2. What were the main philosophical arguments made by other Vietnamese philosophers and theologians regarding the moral implications of war?
3. How did Buddhist principles of compassion, non-violence, and reconciliation shape Vietnam’s approach to conflict resolution during and after the war?
Primary Philosophers/Theologians Studied:
• Thich Nhat Hanh: His philosophy of Engaged Buddhism and its application to peace efforts during the Vietnam War.
• Nguyen Trai: A historical philosopher whose thoughts on just governance and resistance against foreign invasion will be examined in a wartime context.
• Tran Nhan Tong: A 13th-century Vietnamese king turned Buddhist monk, whose teachings on mindfulness and leadership during conflict resonate with the Vietnam War’s moral dilemmas.
Sources to be Analyzed:
• Primary documents and speeches from Thich Nhat Hanh, including his writings on Engaged Buddhism and his activism for peace.
• Vietnamese government and religious documents from the wartime period that discuss philosophical and ethical considerations of war.
• Secondary sources that analyze the influence of Vietnamese Buddhism and philosophical thought on wartime strategies and post-war reconciliation.
Methodology:
This research will employ a philosophical analysis of primary and secondary texts, focusing on the ethical arguments presented by key figures like Thich Nhat Hanh. It will explore the philosophical teachings within the context of the Vietnam War’s moral conflicts and evaluate how these ideas influenced both the resistance and the pursuit of peace.