The Role of Buddhist Education in the Propagation of Buddhism in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Abstract

The Mekong Delta constitutes a culturally and religiously plural region shaped by long-term interactions among Khmer, Vietnamese, Chinese, and migrant communities, within which Buddhism occupies a central position. This paper examines the role of Buddhist education in the propagationn of Buddhism in the Mekong Delta, with particular attention to Khmer Theravāda Buddhism and its relationship with ethnic identity and cultural continuity. Drawing on archaeological, historical, and contemporary studies, the paper analyzes multiple educational mechanisms, including monastic-based education, formal Buddhist schools, ritual practices, transnational networks, and digital media. The findings suggest that Buddhist education functions not only as a channel for transmitting religious doctrine but also as a key social institution for preserving language, moral values, and collective memory, especially within the Khmer community. At the same time, processes of urbanization, labor migration, and media transformation pose significant challenges to traditional educational models. The paper argues that strengthening Buddhist education through curriculum standardization, human resource development, digital integration, and policy support is essential for sustaining Buddhism’s social role and cultural relevance in the contemporary Mekong Delta.