What Is the Greatest Shame of Vietnamese People Today?

In a dharma talk at Linh Mieu Pagoda, Venerable Thich Chan Quang entrusted the young generation with the "shame" that our nation has not yet been able to create high technology. This teaching awakens the spirit of responsibility and offers seven steps for Vietnam to rise up.

Have you ever wondered: What keeps us Vietnamese from standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's great powers? In a warm teaching session at Linh Mieu Pagoda in Thanh Hoa, Thich Chan Quang posed a question that startled many young people: "What are we losing at?" His answer was not only a lesson in patriotism, but also a weighty entrustment to the younger generation.

The Greatest Shame of Our Nation Today

We take pride in our indomitable tradition of defeating every invading enemy. But Thich Chan Quang pointed out that after those resounding victories, our nation is still losing a battle no less important:

"Today we may be heroes because we defeated invaders, defeated great powers, but we are losing a very great battle, and we are still losing it."

That is the battle of economics, engineering, and technology. Look around: the mobile phone, the motorbike, the wristwatch, even the microphone used in the teaching session... all are imported goods. Vietnamese people buy and use them, but we have not yet been able to create high-tech products ourselves. Thay calls this the "shame" that each of us must carry in our heart.

Seven Steps to Becoming an Intelligent Nation

According to Thay, an intelligent nation must pass through all seven steps. We Vietnamese have only stopped at the second step — and even the third is not yet complete. With a warm voice full of concern, Thay listed them:

Step one: Study well.

Step two: Test well.

Step three: Work well.

Step four: Create excellent products.

Step five: Sell well.

Step six: Provide excellent warranty and after-sales service.

Step seven: Recycle — recover and renew.

Vietnam has had students winning international mathematics and physics prizes; we have Professor Ngo Bao Châu with his Fields Medal. But when it comes to creating products, we falter. The most recent example is the Bphone project — a "made in Vietnam" product launched with great pride but quickly failed due to technical flaws and overly subjective marketing. Thich Chan Quang said it plainly:

"A strong nation is a nation rich in economics and skilled in engineering. That is the fourth, fifth, sixth step... while we are left empty-handed."

Knowing Shame in Order to Rise

Why is it that South Korea — once as poor as Vietnam — today can build cars and produce phone chips? Thich Chan Quang explained: Koreans "know shame." They look across at Japan — a civilized nation just across a narrow strait — and feel humbled. It is precisely this national self-respect and fierce determination that created their miracle. We Vietnamese need the same. Thay entrusted us with these words:

"If we have responsibility, have duty, have dreams, have deep concern, and know shame, then one day we will achieve it too."

The Responsibility of Today's Young Generation

Thay does not blame anyone, but skillfully plants in the hearts of the young both pride and a mission. In the atmosphere of sitting amid the nature of Thanh Hoa, Thay affirmed: the young people sitting here will be the generation that washes away the nation's "shame." If we cannot do it today, then pass it on to those who come after. But do not stop — begin by studying well, testing well, working well, and then daring to dream.

The dream might be a flying car without wings, or a way to implant a smartphone under the skin. Thay said: "People today are flying to Mars. You children must dream of building a spacecraft that reaches Mars as well." It may sound like fantasy, but everything begins with a dream.

Thay's words remind us of the virtue of "tam quy" — knowing shame at our own shortcomings. Knowing shame is the beginning of all progress. Let that shame become the flame that drives every young person, every Vietnamese person today. Our country needs talented hands and great minds — and that is you.