Over 40,000 Buddhist monastic records digitized

With nearly 65,000 monks and nuns and approximately 19,000 monasteries, temples and other Buddhist establishments nationwide, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) faces growing demands for consistency, accuracy and efficiency in managing personnel, religious institutions and Buddhist activities.

Amid Vietnam's accelerating digital transformation, the organization has gradually adopted technology to modernize its administrative practices, improve operational efficiency and strengthen coordination across its organizational levels.

According to the VBS, during the 2022-2026 term, it digitized records for more than 40,000 monks and nuns, representing approximately 60% of the country's Buddhist monastic community.

Digitization efforts also covered more than 10,000 temples, monasteries and designated locations for collective religious activities.

In addition, more than 11,000 monastic certificates and over 20,000 documents relating to Buddhist ordination and annual rains retreats were included in the digitization process.

Approximately 70% of the Sangha's administrative documents have also been digitized.

These achievements provide an important foundation for developing an electronic records system, making it easier to retrieve and update information, manage monastic personnel and religious establishments, and coordinate Buddhist activities.

Venerable Thich Minh Nhan, a member of the VBS Executive Council's Secretariat and Standing Deputy Head of its Central Information and Communications Committee, said the organization's communication and digital transformation activities would be reorganized in line with proposed amendments to its Charter and Resolution 461.

Under this approach, the Central Secretariat would assume a stronger coordinating role to ensure consistent implementation and more effective use of technology throughout the Sangha.

Building a data-driven Buddhist governance system

According to Venerable Dr. Thich Nguyen Chinh, a member of the Executive Council's Secretariat and Deputy Chief of the VBS Central Office, digital transformation involves much more than adopting software, using electronic documents or communicating through online platforms.

More fundamentally, it requires a shift in organizational thinking and governance practices.

The digitization achievements of the previous term have laid the groundwork for moving from traditional administrative methods toward a modern governance model in which data serves as a key resource for decision-making, statistical analysis, personnel management and the organization of Buddhist activities.

Venerable Thich Nguyen Chinh proposed a digital governance model built around six pillars: digital institutions, digital data, digital administration, digital human resources, digital Dharma dissemination and information security.

Together, these pillars aim to establish a unified governance system and strengthen coordination between the VBS central leadership, its local organizations and individual Buddhist establishments.

For the 2026-2031 term, the Sangha has identified governance modernization and digital transformation, including the development of a modern administrative platform, as one of its 12 major priorities.

Under the proposed roadmap, the VBS will gradually establish a unified database covering monks and nuns, temples, organizational structures and Buddhist activities.

It also plans to develop a digital governance and administrative platform connecting its central leadership with organizations at different levels.

Procedures such as appointing abbots, establishing temple management boards, administering ordination, issuing records for annual rains retreats and processing administrative documents are also expected to be digitized.

In particular, the proposed integration of an electronic identification system for monks and nuns is expected to simplify administrative procedures and reduce the time and costs incurred by monastic personnel and religious establishments.

Venerable Thich Nguyen Chinh emphasized that successful digital transformation depends not only on technology but also on people, institutional frameworks and effective implementation.

He stressed that technological applications must remain compatible with the Sangha's organizational characteristics, traditions and core Buddhist values.

Buddhist social network expands as Sangha explores AI applications

Alongside internal governance reforms, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is expanding the use of technology in communications, Dharma dissemination, education and community engagement.

During the previous term, the organization conducted more than 200 live televised Dharma teaching programs, helping make Buddhist teachings more accessible to monks, nuns and lay followers.

One notable initiative has been the development of Butta, a Buddhist social networking platform designed to provide an authoritative and constructive online environment for learning about, studying and practicing Buddhism.

At the 10th National Buddhist Congress, Butta introduced an upgraded version featuring improvements in technology, content, governance and platform operations.

The platform continues to develop services such as a Digital Meditation Hall and a Buddhist Teachings Library.

These features allow users to study and practice Buddhism online, connect monks and nuns with lay Buddhists, participate in religious activities and engage in charitable initiatives.

During the 2026-2031 term, the VBS plans to accelerate the adoption of information technology, artificial intelligence and modern communications tools across its administrative, religious and educational activities.

Potential AI applications include supporting administrative management, analyzing and utilizing data, developing electronic learning materials, expanding digital libraries and introducing new ways of communicating Buddhist knowledge.

These initiatives are expected to improve the quality of services provided to the Buddhist community.

However, greater reliance on technology also presents challenges involving human resources, data security and information management in digital environments.

The Sangha therefore plans to strengthen its workforce's technological capabilities, consolidate its Buddhist journalism and communications network from the central to local levels, ensure compliance with Vietnamese law and preserve traditional religious values.

Guided by the principles of discipline, innovation, effectiveness and efficiency, the VBS expects its digital transformation efforts during the 10th term to bring meaningful improvements to governance, administration and the organization of Buddhist activities.

Hong Phuc