BACKGROUND
Currently, we are living in the fourth industrial revolution by which computers, automation, robots and people will work
together in entirely new ways. Applying technological innovations will help the production process faster, less manpower and more fully collected data. Product quality is ensured by controlling raw materials to forming and transferring to consumers.
However, it may have raised many issues for humans. One of its drawbacks is many workers will lose their jobs due to replacement machinery, while businesses may face difficulties in recruiting human resources to meet the requirements of the job. This can lead to inequality, even to break the labor market. Economic uncertainties will lead to instability in life and even politics.
In addition, new technology will cause changes in power, security concerns, and a big gap between rich and poor or the way of
communication through the Internet which challenges information security for both people and political systems. These problems have urged the world to find the right solutions urgently to attain sustainable development which is favor of the Buddhist philosophy. In this theme, we highly focus on the Buddhist approach and response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution to generate happiness and peace for humankind.
Most Ven. Dr. Thich Duc Thien obtained his Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from Delhi University in 2005, currently is Vice President-Secretary General of Executive Council of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS); Vice Chairman of Vietnam – India Friendship Association; Head of the Department of International Buddhist Affairs of VBS; Vice Rector of Vietnam Buddhist University in Hanoi; and Senior Lecturer of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (Tran Nhan Tong Academic Institute).
He served as Secretary General of the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak in Vietnam and continues to hold a major role in UNDV 2019. He has published, edited, and translated many books in Buddhist studies and history. He has received many prestigious recognitions from the Government of Vietnam (the Third-Class Labor Order), from the Royalty of Cambodia (the General Order), and from the Government of India (the Padma Shri Order).
Most Ven. Dr. Thich Nhat Tu obtained his D.Phil., in Philosophy from Allahabad in 2002, is the Founder of Buddhism Today Foundation since 2000. He made valuable contribution as an editorial member of Hue Quang Encyclopedia of Buddhism (9 volumes, 1992-2007). He is editor-in-chief of the first ever audio Vietnamese Tripitaka, of the ongoing Vietnamese Tripitaka Translation project and Buddhism Today Series (over 250 books), as well as editor of more than two 200 CD albums on Buddhist music. He has authored more than 80 Vietnamese books on applied Buddhism. He has traveled extensively around the world to give public Dharma talks to Vietnamese communities in Vietnam, Canada, America, Australia, and Europe and has produced over 4,000 VCDs on various dharma topics.
Master Thich Nhat Tu now serves as Vice Rector of the Vietnam Buddhist University and Vice Chairman of the National Department of International Buddhist Affairs. Several universities conferred upon him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in appreciation of his excellent contributions to Buddhist education, his works on Buddhist academic research and leadership in international Buddhist communities. He has received many recognitions, awards, and titles from the Government of Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia.