The Dharma Constitution Vietnamese Buddhism
having established since January 12, Lunar Year 1961
The letter frame on the left: NAMO THE DHARMA CONSTITUTION, PURE KING, SUPERIOR ASSOCIATION OF BUDDHAS, MAHASATTVA-BODHISATTVAS.
In the central, the statue of Medicine Buddha with the letter frame: EASTERN-SALVATION MEDICINE-MASTER LAPIS-LAZULI-LIGHT TATHAGATA.
The letter frame on the right: NAMO THE PRESENT HEAD OF RELIGION, FOUNDING MASTER SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.
At the beginning of 1971, the cause was coming from a number of brothers of faithful followers, who attained some results, although they were not very good. Their current knowledge of doctrine about the truth nevertheless was somewhat better than everyone else’s. At that time, they filed a petition to ask the current government to grant a decree of the birth of the Dharma Constitution, aiming at disseminating it widely, guiding and helping everyone in all classes to practice the Dharma freely and comfortably. At that time, I accepted letting the Dharma Constitution come into the world.
At that time, when Mr. Nguyễn Văn Thiệu was the President, there were regulations: When applying for a new association to be born, five seniors who were very old needed to be chosen. Those five seniors were listed in order. They were old and gentle, having basic virtues as the main foundation to be able to act as representatives for the petition. Not having acted immorally, with good characters, they were qualified to put their names on the application, standing in for the request of the decree.
After being granted the decree, which had been signed, a congress was opened, inviting those five seniors to attend without obligation. All of those five seniors voluntarily exalted the Sangha Chief. This was called the exalting ceremony of the Dharma Constitution.
At that time, there were all levels present at the congress. There could also be more than 1,000 people attending and compiling. Brothers petitioned to determinedly exalt Me, Từ Thế Thọ, to become the Sangha Chief and to keep the source of the Dharma Constitution.
Reverend Tịnh Vương sitting in front of the Buddhas’ Altar Shrine,
Nha Trang 1961.
During the time of exaltation, I pointed out four verses. I said: Tao practitioners in all levels should listen to these four verses in order to practice the Dharma. From this age to future ones, it is always like this:
"The Superior and Inferior are in harmony, having peace and goodness."
In an association where the superior and inferior are in harmony, that association experiences peace and goodness.
"Exalting for opening the Tao Dharma Place,"
They first exalted me to become the Sangha Chief to open the Tao Dharma Place, then listened to me.
“Knowing and seeing the Buddha by just one word,”
When perceiving my word and being able to apply it in their Dharma practice, they would see and know the Buddha. And,
“Accomplishing the Dharma subject’s practice, liberation will be followed.”
Those are the four verses handed down to this age and the next ones.
When there is a temple, an establishment of the Dharma Constitution, the two sides of the temple gate have a saying:
“Knowing and seeing the Buddha by just one word,
Accomplishing the Dharma subject’s practice, liberation will be followed.”
This is a theme for all future generations to depend on, so that the Superior and Inferior are in harmony, experiencing peace and goodness. Buddhism values harmoniousness. A clear comprehension only comes with harmoniousness.