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A Brief History of Mahayana Buddhism in

VietnamAsst. Prof. Dr. Sudarat Bantaokul

Group 4

1. Ven. VO HUU DANH5501201045

2. Ven. NGUYEN HOANG PHUC5501201046

3. Ven. NGUYEN TRONG VINH5501201089

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 Buddha’s 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. 

I. VIETNAMESE BUDDHISM FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO

THE 1OTH CENTURY:

Among the three Buddhist centres of ancient China (Lo Yang, Ring Ch’eng 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 Buddha’s Teachings before continuing their journey to the North.

Master K’ang 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 Buddha’s 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 Viet’s 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.

II. THE PERIOD OF NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE FROM THE 11TH CENTURY TO THE 14TH CENTURY: THE GOLDEN AGE

OF VIETNAMESE BUDDHISM:

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 (980-1009), the Ly (1010-1225) and the Tran (1225-1400) Dynasties.

Some were appointed both "State Counsellors and National Teachers" such as Ch’an Masters Khuong Viet, Phap Thuan, Vien Chung and above all, Ch’an 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 Ch’an Sect that had ever been founded and the king was consecrated as the first Patriarch of Truc Lam Ch’an 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.

III. THE DECLINE OF BUDDHISM IN THE 15TH CENTURY AND ITS

RESTORATION IN LATER CENTURIES:

• 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 China’s 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 people’s 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 Hoang’s 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 T’sao 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, Hồ Chí Minh formed the Vietnamese People’s Democratic Government. Buddhists participated in the construction of the country and later on in the resistance against the French.

• In 1949, king Bảo Đại (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, Ngô Đình Diệm retained Decree No. 10. In 1957 he removed the Buddha’s birthday from the list of official holidays.

In 1963, the Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc’s self-sacrifice (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 Thích Quảng Đức

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.

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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.

CONCLUSION

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.

THANK FOR YOUR ATTENTION!