THE ALMS ROUND CULTURE OF THE NAM TONG BUDDHIST MONK COMMUNITY IN THUA THIEN HUE

Abstract

The alms round is a beautiful traditional cultural feature, associated with the image of Nam Tong Buddhist monks in particular and Buddhist monks in Vietnam in general. The alms round helps each practitioner to confine body and mind, cultivate virtue, eliminate the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion, and sow good causes and conditions for everyone. The image of monastics holding their alms bowls becomes close, simple, does not put themselves in a high position, does not accumulate wealth, property, silver and gold, let go of everything. When go alms round, there is nothing to be conceited or proud of life. In other words, this is a practice with a commitment to self-improvement and to help others see the hidden beauty of the core values of Buddhism - a great religion that has accompanied and penetrated over thousands of years in the flow of national history. However, the situation of fake monks going alms round is happening in many places, at times, this affects genuine practitioners. According to the current regulations of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha, monks are not allowed to go alms round and if any monk wishes to recreate the image of the Buddha going to sow fate, he must receive the permission of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha. In the article, we will clarify the concept and origin of alms round and other related issues so that we can have a more objective and correct view of this content.