Social charity of Hoa Hao Buddism: A model of development from below in the Mekong Delta

Abstract

Vietnamese society is constantly changing in the process of globalisation. From the point of view of secularisation, some argue that a traditional religion like Hoa Hao Buddhism in Vietnam would not be able to develop or could only exist in a limited religious space in modern times. However, the strong resurgence of current Hoa Hao Buddhism’s philanthropic activities across the Mekong Delta contrasts the opinion of previous scholars. In fact, contemporary Hoa Hao followers are well-known for their initiatives to improve social welfare for the poor and develop rural infrastructure, especially their high-quality, efficient and transparent social services. While adapting to modernity and a rapidly changing society, Hoa Hao Buddhist followers still firmly uphold the traditional values of an endogenous religion in Southern Vietnam. This religion has provided aid in meeting the pressing needs of society and filling gaps in social services, by which it highlights the religious view of social responsibility to the nation and presents a particular and distinct model of development from below of an endogenous religion in the Mekong Delta.