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The Integration of Ancestor Worship and Buddhist Wisdom 1
On the morning of March 17, 2005, from 8:00 to 9:30, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh presented on “The Miraculous Integration of Vietnamese Ancestor Worship and the Wisdom of Buddhism”; on the morning of March 18, 2005, at the same time, he lectured on “The Role of Buddhism in Contemporary Society.” Before each session, a representative of the Center for the Science of Belief and Religion offered well-wishes and invited Thay to begin the topic. The opening ceremony included chanting the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit (Namo Avalokiteśvarāya), emphasizing the insight and love that bring great freedom, calling everyone to return to the present moment through deep listening and letting go, allowing the energy of compassion to permeate every cell and to transform suffering.
The eye of animitta, or signlessness, helps us see the deep nature beyond appearances—like recognizing the cloud in the rain, the unborn and undying, the continuous interdependent arising of all phenomena: cloud → rain → tea, corn seed → corn plant. Thanks to the insight of impermanence and non-self, we transcend the fear of death and nothingness, and are gently liberated. In Buddhism, there are three doors of liberation (the three doors of liberation):
- Emptiness (śūnyatā)
- Signlessness (animitta)
- Aimlessness (apraṇihita)
Today, we speak only of the door of signlessness, the special eye that helps us overcome fear and anger, recognize the continuation between father and son, and apply compassionate listening and loving speech to restore communication and transform suffering. Practices such as mindful breathing and mindful walking generate the energy of mindfulness, embracing our afflictions to transform them into awakening.
The Zen Master also related this to science: Lavoisier’s “nothing is created, nothing is lost,” psychosomatic unity (body–mind oneness), wave–particle theory, and cloning demonstrate that every cell contains the entirety of the original person and their ancestors. Ancestor worship, and worship of the Earth God, are not superstition if practiced with mindfulness, concentration, and insight, viewing the altar as a symbol connecting us to our roots in every cell. Walking meditation and dwelling happily in the present moment show us that the Pure Land and Nirvana are right here and now. Dialogue with Marxists affirms that Buddhism and science are not in conflict, encouraging equal dialogue, inner harmony and practical application, and the continued development of insight in all traditions.