Promoting religious resources: Insights from the Buddhist practicing experience in Hồ Chí Minh City during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The concept of religious resources and how to leverage them for national development is a topic of current debate among policymakers, religious leaders, and researchers in Vietnam, a country embarking new era with considerable challenges. Drawing inspiration from the community support of Hồ Chí Minh City Buddhism during the COVID-19 pandemic, the author identifies practical approaches to promoting religious resources and suggesting relevant solutions. The results shows Hồ Chí Minh City Buddhism significantly contributed to pandemic relief, offering both material aid (food, medicine, medical equipment, vaccine funding) and spiritual support (rituals, meditation guidance). This affirms that religious resources are a suitable, practical, and scientific contributor to national development. Hence, the article suggests proposals for promoting religious resources in Vietnam today.