LOGO

Group 4

1. Ven. VO HUU DANH

5501201045
2. Ven. NGUYEN HOANG PHUC
5501201046
3. Ven. NGUYEN TRONG VINH
5501201089

INTRODUCTION
Buddhism is probably the most popular religion in
Vietnam and is mainly of the Mahayana tradition.
Vietnamese Buddhism has a long history of more
than 2000 years. Its origin dates back to the 3rd
century B.C., when numerous Buddhist missions
were sent abroad by Emperor Asoka to disseminate
Lord Buddhas Teachings in such distant countries
beyond the borders of India as those in Africa, West
and Central Asia as well as South East Asia
including Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Laos,
Cambodia and North Vietnam, which was known
then as Giao Chau.

Four Periods of Vietnamese Buddhism

1. From its beginning in Ancient Times to the 10th
century A.D.,
2. Its Golden Age from the 11th century to the 14th
century,
3. Its Decline in the 15th century and its Restoration
in later centuries,
4. Contemporary Vietnamese Buddhism and its
Activities in the present situation.

Among the three Buddhist centres of ancient China

(Lo Yang, Ring Cheng and Luy Lau ), Luy Lau
centre in Giao Chau (Chinese vassal) was the first to
be founded under the Han Dynasty (around the early
part of the 1st century AD).

Giao Chau was on the main trade route between

India and China; therefore undoubtedly it became a
favorable and prosperous resort for Indian Buddhist
missionaries and merchants to stay and preach the
Buddhas Teachings before continuing their journey
to the North.

Master Kang Seng Hui

(Khuong Tang Hoi) was
the
first
Vietnamese
Buddhist Master at Luy
Lau Centre. He was also
the most famous monk
scholar who translated a
large number of Buddhist
Canonical books into
Chinese (Han characters)

Besides him, Mahajivaka, Kalaruci and a Chinese

scholar Mao Po, who immigrated to Giao Chau and
studied Buddhism under Indian monks were famous
Buddhist scholars at that time.
About 20 pagodas with at least 15 translations of
Buddhist Text Books and 500 monks at Luy Lau
centre.

The Buddhas Sutta in

42
Sections
which
appeared at Giao Chau
in the 2nd century AD,
is believed to be the first
selection
of
Suttas
translated into Chinese
at Luy Lau.

 Taoism and Confucianism came to Vietnam

together with Mahayana Buddhist thought from
China (around 6th A.D)
Buddhist monks were the best learned class in
society on both Buddhism and other philosophy.
Buddhism was closely connected with national
life. Buddhist monks were good advisers for kings
in every aspect of life.

The first period of Dai Viets

independence began with King
Ly Nam De, who highly
honoured Buddhism and used
to consult Buddhist monks and
follow their advice on religious
and
worldly
affairs
in
protecting the young nation
against foreign invasions.

Finally came the glorious victory at Bach Dang

River in 930, which opened a new page of Dai
Viet history.

The
10th
century
marked a new
era of both
the
independence
of Dai Viet
nation and the
prosperity of
Vietnamese
Buddhism.

Many Buddhist monks were engaged in politics

under the Dinh (968-980), the Former Le (9801009), the Ly (1010-1225) and the Tran (12251400) Dynasties.

Some were appointed both

"State
Counsellors
and
National Teachers" such as
Chan Masters Khuong Viet,
Phap Thuan, Vien Chung and
above all, Chan Master Van
Hanh, who made his great
contribution to the enthroning
of King Ly-Thai-To, the
founder of the Ly reign, and
was later granted the title
"Sangha President".

The prosperity of Vietnamese Buddhism reached its

height under the Ly and the Tran Dynasties during 4
centuries. By order of the Kings, thousands of
pagodas and stupas were built all around the
country, among which One-Pillar Pagoda (in Hanoi)
was the most famous.

King Tran Nhan Ton, a great Buddhist scholar who,

after his two victories over the Mongols (Yuang
Meng), abdicated and became the founder of the
Truc Lam (Bamboo Grove) at Mount Yen Tu.

It was the first

Vietnamese
Chan
Sect that had ever
been founded and the
king was consecrated
as the first Patriarch
of Truc Lam Chan
sect of Viet Nam.

Another interesting feature of Ly-Tran Buddhism is

its trend of blending Buddhism with Taoism and
Confucianism. This growing tendency of combining
the 3 religions together in a harmonious way
resulted in producing experts in the three branches
of learning.

 This period was marked when Ho Quy Ly took

power from King Tran Thieu De, the last King of
Tran dynasty(1400). Tran dynasty collapsed.
King Ho was interesting in Confucianism.
Buddhism lost its influence in court.
Chinese force invaded Dai Viet in 1414. Vietnam
became Chinas vassal again.

 Buddhism and Buddhist works were destroyed a

lot by Chinese feudal government. A large number
of talent monks were sent to China in exile.
Buddhism and Taoism were strictly controlled.
Buddhism went down until the 16th century.

In the 16th century and during the Trinh-Nguyen

Conflict lasting about 300 years, the Trinh and
Nguyen Lords tried to restore Buddhism in order to
win peoples heart.

Many of them were devout Buddhists who decreed

the building or renovating of lots of well-known
pagodas or stupas such as Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue
(by Lord Nguyen Hoangs decree in 1601 ), Thien
Tho (Bao Giac) Pagoda, An Ton (Tu Dam)
Pagoda...

In the North (Dang Ngoai), under the support of Trinh

dynasties (Trinh Lords), Truc Lam Zen school was
encouraged to restore by Zen master Chan Nguyen.

In the South (Dang

Trong), Nguyen dynasties
(Nguyen Lords) heartily
welcomed numerous Chan
Masters from China (17th
cen.) They founded the
Lin - Ji (Lam Te) Sect and
restored Tsao Tung Sect.

From the beginning of the French colonialists

domination over Vietnam, the condition of
Buddhism was obviously worse.
Under the Nguyen Dynasty, Buddhism got violent
opposition from courtiers who were Confucians
scholars while it was neglected by most of the kings
who were not zealous Buddhist supporters.

IV. Vietnamese
Buddhism in the
modern ages

From 1920 under the influence of Chinese Buddhist

restoration, there was a movement for the
Restoration of Vietnamese Buddhism headed by
Master Khanh Hoa and many Buddhist associations
were established in South VN, central VN and
North VN from 1931 to 1934.

 Many Buddhist associations and Institutes were

founded through the country.
Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association was
founded by Dr. Le Dinh Tham.

In 1945, H
Ch
Minh
formed
the
Vietnamese
Peoples
Democratic
Government.
Buddhists participated in the construction of the
country and later on in the resistance against the
French.

 In 1949, king Bo i (1913 1997) assumed the

role of head of South Vietnam. In 1951 he signed
Decree No. 10 relegating all religions (except
Catholic and Protestant missions) to the status of
public associations.

On assuming power in 1955, Ng nh Dim

retained Decree No. 10. In 1957 he removed the
Buddhas birthday from the list of official holidays.

In 1963, the Bodhisattva Thich Quang Ducs selfsacrifice (by burning himself alive for the cause of
religion) followed by those of other Buddhist
martyrs paved the way for the overthrow of the
Diem Regime.

Self-immolation Thch Qung c

In 1975, after the

Liberation Day of the
South, there was a
movement led by the
Most
Venerable
Thich Tri Thu to
unify all Vietnamese
Buddhist sects and
organizations

In 1981 the VN
Buddhist Sangha
was founded and
headed by the
Most Venerable
Dhamma
Patriarch
Thich
Duc Nhuan.

In
addition,
Vietnamese
Buddhism is the unique
religion with harmony of
Theravada, Mahayana and
Mendicant sects. After the
unification day of Vietnamese
Buddhism on November 7,
1981,
nine
Buddhist
associations made up the only
religious organization with the
name
of
Vietnamese
Buddhist Sangha.

Conception and practice of Buddhism in Vietnam

Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism thought

are combined in a harmonious way.

 Vietnamese Buddhism does not have a strong

centralized structure, the practice is similar
throughout the country at almost any temple.

 The Lotus Sutra and Amitabha Sutra are the most

commonly used sutras
Most sutras and texts have come from China and
have been translated into Sino-Vietnamese (Han
Viet)

Present position of Buddhism in Vietnam

According to report of
the Vietnam Buddhist
Sangha in August,
2012: There also have
existed
14,
778
monasteries
and
temples Mahayana:
13,710; Theravada: 527,
Mendicant: 541.

40000
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0

34062

8574
805

3054

Monastic life and festivals

Vietnam was and still is a profound Buddhist

country. The Sangha is very involved in the
community. Temple often run orphanages, medical
clinics, and home for disables.

The main Buddhist festivals are Vesak (Buddha's

Birthday) and Vulan (Ullambana). Vietnamese
traditionally visit the temple on the fifteenth day of
the Lunar month, and also in the various festival
days of the Mahayana Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Ullambana Festival
Vu Lan (Ullambana) festival, also known as the
Amnesty of Unquiet Spirits, is held during the
seventh month of the lunar calendar, which is
believed to be the spirit month.

Buddha's Birthday

The Vu Lan festival has become exceedingly

popular. One of the traditions of this day is for
people who wish to express their gratefulness and
appreciation towards their mothers, to go to a
pagoda, often wearing a rose.

Thousands of people flock to pagodas wearing red

roses if their parents are alive or white roses if their
parents have passed away.

Throughout twenty centuries in the long history of VN,

Vietnamese Buddhism has been closely linked with the
survival of the nation, whether in its rise and fall.

Mahayana Buddhism has had a great influence

on Vietnamese literature, art, music, architecture
and Buddhism, so to speak, has become a part of
Vietnamese life.