The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction

240 CHAPTER NINE

of Theravada and Mahayana groups. Officially banned in 1981, the UBCV
has nonetheless marshaled the support ofVietnamese overseas to pressure the
government into reinstating it. Its concerns include the release of imprisoned
activists and the return of Sangha properties confiscated by the state. Although
the situation for Buddhism is still uncertain, the dissidents take comfort in
Buddhism's having outlived many other regimes in its past, and so feel that
time is on their side.