Vietnamese Family of Buddhists
The Vietnamese Family of Buddhists (also known as Gia đình phật tử Việt Nam (GĐPTVN)) is a lay Buddhist youth organisation that seeks to imbue its members with Buddhist ethics. It has been in existence for over 60 years in Vietnam and in Overseas Vietnamese communities since the Fall of Saigon, and are usually associated with Buddhist temples. Objectives of the GĐPTVN
The purpose of the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association can be stated as follows:
- 1. Training youths to be true Buddhists (Constructing the individual).
- 2. Training youths to be productive citizens who will make positive contributions to society ::(Constructing the society).
The Five Morals that a Buddhist needs to practice daily:
- 1. Diligence: always progress toward the goals of the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association and ::Buddhism.
- 4. Wisdom: Always have a broad knowledge and an accurate understanding of all subjects.
Three Virtues every GDPT Youth members and leaders are advised to follow:
Compassion: (Từ Bi) means sympathetic concern for the suffering of another being. A Buddhist living by the principle of compassion will be affected by the sufferings of others, including all living animals. A Budhist will not perform actions that cause the suffering but bring happiness to all beings.
Wisdom: (Trí Tuệ) means understanding that which is true and right. Ignorance will not be accepted by a Buddhist. Everything must be clearly understood. Also, a Buddhist need to help others cultivate their wisdom so they too can learn to understand what is true and right and skillful.
Bravery: (Dũng Mạnh) means courage and diligence. Do not be fearful or cowardly.
The motto of the organization is Compassion-Wisdom-Bravery "Bi-Trí-Dũng".
The Practices Required by GDPT Youth members:
- 2. Learn to tolerate, love, be honest and always ready to help each other.
- 3. Learn to be studious and happily fulfill any task given.
- 4. Learn to read, write and speak Vietnamese to enhance the member's communication ability with ::the member's family and preserve the Vietnamese culture.
- 5. Fulfill a responsibility to protect and maintain the association's properties.