Buddhist Laypeople and the World Cup

Buddhist Laypeople and the World Cup

By Nguyen Giac

Every four years, the World Cup becomes a global cultural event. During this period, from cafés to homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces, people engage in conversations about soccer. Buddhist laypeople live within society and, therefore, cannot completely separate themselves from this atmosphere. When family members or neighbors gather to watch an important match, it is natural to join in and share the joy of community. The key issue is not whether one watches the World Cup but the mindset with which one watches it.

This is especially true for Buddhist laypeople in California, where the World Cup often brings thunderous cheers from neighboring homes as matches are broadcast live on television. Excitement erupts continuously throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County, where Vietnamese communities live alongside Latin American communities—primarily of Mexican origin. Vietnamese and Latin American children attend the same schools, and on weekends, soccer fields host spirited youth matches featuring teams from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Because Buddhist laypeople are enthusiastic about the World Cup, it is natural that when the ball hits the net, even the doors of the temple may tremble. A memorable example is the well-known Bhutanese film *The Cup* (1999), directed by the Tibetan monk Khyentse Norbu. The film tells the story of two young Tibetan novices in an exiled monastery in India who are passionate about soccer and try every possible way to rent a television so the entire monastery can watch the 1998 World Cup final between France and Brazil. The soccer fever spreads even into the monastic environment, yet the film never mocks religious life. On the contrary, it shows that practitioners are still human beings living in their own era, with very ordinary joys.

World Cup history also includes special stories connected to Buddhism. During the 1994 World Cup in the United States, hundreds of Bangladeshi Buddhists gathered at a temple to pray for the health and success of Italian star Roberto Baggio. This was because Baggio had contributed funds to restore the temple, and he had taken refuge in Buddhism in 1987 after a difficult period of injury.

From a Buddhist perspective, enjoying sports is not inherently wrong. The Buddha was born into the warrior-noble class, and many scholars believe that in his youth, he was familiar with physical training. In the Dhammapada, the Buddha teaches:

“Health is the highest gain…” (Dhammapada, verse 204)

Health is the greatest asset. A healthy body enables one to work, study, and practice more effectively. Therefore, wholesome sports activities help nourish both the body and mind. This is one reason why the Buddhist youth organization Gia Đình Phật Hóa Phổ (Buddhist Family Movement) was founded in Huế in 1943. It was later transformed in 1951 into Gia Đình Phật Tử (Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association) during an assembly at Từ Đàm Temple and has continued its activities to this day. Physical and mental training games—such as running, jumping, and hiking—are a regular part of its training camps.

There is, however, a point worth reflecting on: the World Cup often brings gambling, which is tied to money and the outcomes of winning or losing. Buddhist teachings remind us that sports should not become a source of greed, anger, or delusion. The true value of sports lies in fellowship, training, and friendship. The Buddha teaches in the Dhammapada:

"Victory breeds hatred;

The defeated live in pain.

Happily live a peaceful life,

Giving up both victory and defeat." (Dhammapada, verse 201)

This teaching is especially relevant for soccer fans. If you once lived in the alleyways of Saigon decades ago, you might remember how, during soccer seasons, shouts of joy or disappointment echoed throughout entire neighborhoods. Even now, if you live in a mobile‑home park, the cheers of your Mexican neighbors during the World Cup can be just as loud. However, if after a match viewers become angry and insult teams, commentators, or fellow fans, the joy of sports turns into a source of suffering.

The 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan provided a remarkable example of Buddhism integrating with social life. Many Korean temples participated in the “Temple Stay” program, opening their doors to international visitors during the event. Guests could stay in the temples, practice meditation, pray, make lotus lanterns, listen to traditional music, and learn calligraphy. Some temple courtyards were decorated with lanterns shaped like soccer balls, and some temples even had their own youth or laypeople’s soccer teams.

On the other hand, Buddhist scriptures establish certain boundaries. In the Sāmaññaphala Sutta (The Fruits of the Contemplative Life), the Buddha describes the monastic path as one that avoids fascination with entertainment and competitive spectacles. This does not mean that laypeople are forbidden from watching or playing sports; rather, it serves as a reminder for practitioners not to let their minds be swept away by worldly amusements. As the Buddha teaches, one should allow sights and sounds to come and go like raindrops sliding off a lotus leaf.

A story in the Vinaya illustrates this spirit. Once, a group of seventeen monks were playing and swimming in the Aciravatī River. King Pasenadi saw them, and the incident was reported to the Buddha. He rebuked them because such behavior “does not inspire faith in those who lack faith,” and he established a rule prohibiting play in the water. (To be clear, the writer is not discussing monastics here; this article concerns laypeople.)

The meaning of the story is not that swimming is bad, but that Buddhists should be mindful that their actions affect society’s trust in the Dharma. A layperson watching a few World Cup matches is not problematic; however, neglecting family, work, or practice because of soccer is a different matter.

Therefore, a balanced attitude is likely the most appropriate for Buddhist laypeople in the twenty-first century. The World Cup is a part of modern life. Buddhists need not reject it, nor should they become overwhelmed by it. One may enjoy soccer as a communal activity, appreciating the beauty of skill, teamwork, and determination. At the same time, one should maintain mindfulness, avoiding anger in response to victory or defeat, and ensuring that entertainment does not overshadow deeper responsibilities and values.

In the Buddhist spirit, enjoy the World Cup, but do not lose your inner peace over a ninety-minute match. Soccer remains just soccer, while your mind remains free and serene through mindfulness. Be free and serene in mindfulness before the match, during the match, and after the match. After all, this very life of ours is also a kind of match, is it not? And remember: the moment an unwholesome mind arises, greed, anger, and delusion will "tackle" you immediately—knocking you down on the field and carrying you off on a stretcher, so to speak.