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The Contributions of Salient Vietnamese Zen Masters to the Development of Buddhism During Ly and Tran Dynasties

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The Contributions of Salient Vietnamese Zen Masters to the Development of Buddhism During Ly and Tran Dynasties THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SALIENT VIETNAMESE ZEN MASTERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHISM DURING LY AND TRAN DYNASTIES Ven. Nguyen Ngoc Minh (Thich Minh Duyen) A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment Of The Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University C.E. 2017 The Contributions of Salient Vietnamese Zen Masters to The Development of Buddhism During Ly and Tran Dynasties Ven. Nguyen Ngoc Minh (Thich Minh Duyen) A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfilment Of The Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) Graduate school Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University C.E. 2017 (Copyright by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University) Thesis Title : The Contributions of Salient Vietnamese Zen Masters to The Development of Buddhism During Ly and Tran Dynasties Researcher : Ven. Nguyen Ngoc Minh (Thich Minh Duyen) Degree : Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) Thesis Supervisory Committee : Phramaha Somphong Khunakaro, Dr., Pāli IX, B.A. (Educational Administration), M.A. (Philosophy), Ph.D. (Philosophy) : Asst. Prof. Dr. Sanu Mahatthanadull, B.A. (Advertising), M.A. (Buddhist Studies), Ph.D. (Buddhist Studies) Date of Graduation : March 10, 2018 Abstract This is a qualitative research three objectives: (1) To study the conditions of problem of Buddhism in Vietnam before Ly and Tran dynasties; (2) To study salient Vietnamese Masters during Ly and Tran dynasties; (3) To study the contributions made by Salient Vietnamese Zen Masters to the development of Buddhism during Ly and Tran dynasties. This research shows that after becoming independent in 938 from Chinese, conditions of problem about politics, economy after wars so weak and Ngo, Dinh, Tien Le dynasties which were three short dynasties cannot play a vital role for the development of Buddhism during these dynasties. And then, many salients Vietnamese zen Master and Buddhist Kings who had contributions to the development of Buddhism in Ly and Tran dynasties. The Buddhist King was considered as the most tolerant King in history of Vietnam. The King always took care of the life of people, prisons, and even enemies. The reason for this was because the King was taught the teachings of Buddha and lived with the people from his childhood. As a result, King contributed greatly to the development of Buddhism during his reign, Zen Masters as well as Buddhist Kings contributed to many aspects of society such as politics, culture, arts, economy, and education. Therefore, Buddhism in both Ly and Tran dynasties was very developed in all of fields, this is the most glorious dynasty in feudal history of Vietnam. The historians called this was golden age of Vietnamese Buddhism. iv Acknowledgement his thesis is submitted to the International Buddhist Studies College (IBSC) at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Master of Art in Buddhist Studies. First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, the rector of MCU and the president of the International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU), to Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Rajapariyatkavi and Ven. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phra Hansa Dhammahaso, the acting director of IBSC for setting up the International Programme in Buddhist Studies. I am very thankful to have the opportunity to study under IBSC at MCU. And I would like to express my appreciation and thankfulness for those who taught and supported me during the course of my study. Then, my deepest gratitude goes to Ven. Dr. Phra Somphong Khunakaro, the chairman of my Master’s Degree Supervisory Committee. Next, I am very sincerest gratitude for the help of Asst. Prof. Dr. Sanu Mahatthanadull, a member of my Supervisory Committee and also a lecturer of IBSC as well as Faculties Buddhism. I would like to say thanks to general guidance and most helpful advice. I would like to express my thanks to my teachers of English for helping me write this research grammatically. The last and the most important saying, I would like to express my great master, my parents, all of my teachers, and supporters who gave me my life and supported me on the way to get wisdom of Buddhism. Ven. Nguyen Ngoc Minh v List of Abbreviations A.D : Anno Domini B.E : Buddhist Era BPS : Buddhist Publication Society C.E : Christian Era Ed. : Editor Etc. : Et cetera/ and others HCM : Ho Chi Minh Ibid. : ibidden/ in the same book MCU : Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University M.A : Master of Arts No. : Number Op.cit. : Opera citato/ as referred P(p). : Page (s) Pub. : Published, publication S : Sanskrit Tr. : Translator USA : United States of America Vol(s) : Volume(s) Ven : Venerable vi List of Tables Page no. Table 1: The Kings of Three Dynasties .................................................... 20 Table 2: The list of names of Masters in Ly dynasty ............................... 37 Table 3: The List of Names of Masters in Tran Dynasty ......................... 51 Table 4: The contributions of the Kings and Zen Masters ....................... 52 vii Table of Contents Page no. Approval ........................................................................................... i Abstract ................................................................................................ii Acknowledgement .................................................................................... iv List of Abbreviations ............................................................................... v List of Tables.............................................................................................vi Table of Contents .....................................................................................v ii Chapter I: Introduction .......................................................................... 1 1.1 Background and Significance of the Problems .............. 1 1.2 Objectives of the Research ............................................. 4 1.3 Statements of the Problems Desired to Know ............... 5 1.4 Scope of the Research ................................................... 5 1.5 Definition of the Terms Used in the Research ............... 6 1.6 Review of Related Literature and Research Works ....... 6 1.7 Research Methodology ................................................... 9 1.8 Advantages Expected to Obtain from the Research .... 10 Chapter II: The Conditions of Problems of Buddhism in Vietnam before Ly and Tran Dynasties .......................................... 12 2.1 The Establishment and Conditions of the Problem of Buddhism in Ngo, Dinh, Tien Le Dynasties ................ 12 2.2 The Conditions of Problem in Ngo – Dinh – Tien Le Dynasties ...................................................................... 21 2.3 Concluding Remarks .................................................... 28 Chapter III: The Salient Vietnamese Masters during Ly and Tran Dynasties ............................................................................. 29 3.1 The Salient Vietnamese Zen Masters and Eminent Kings in Ly Dynasty .................................................... 29 viii 3.2 The Salient Vietnamese Zen Masters and Eminent Kings in Tran Dynasty ................................................. 37 3.3 Concluding Remarks .................................................... 51 Chapter IV: The Contributions of Salient Vietnamese Zen Master to The Development of Vietnam Buddhism in The Period of th th 10 - 14 Centuries ............................................................ 54 4.1 The Contributions of Zen Masters Towards Politics and Diplomacy .................................................................... 54 4.2 The Contributions of Zen Masters Towards Arts and Culture .......................................................................... 65 4.3 The Contributions of Zen Masters Toward Economy and Education ............................................................... 72 4.4 The Impacts of Salient Vietnamese Zen Masters To The Development of Vietnam Buddhism In The Period of th th 10 – 14 Centuries...................................................... 75 4.5 Concluding Remarks .................................................... 83 Chapter V: Conclusion and Suggestion ................................................ 85 5.1 Conclusion .................................................................... 85 5.2 Suggestion for Further Research .................................. 89 Bibliography ............................................................................................ 90 Biography of the Researcher ................................................................. 94 Chapter I Introduction 1.1 Background and Significance of the Problems Buddhism was originally started in India and propagated to neighboring countries. Firstly, Buddhism was spread to western Asian countries then to Tibet, China, Korea, Japan and south Asian countries. Vietnam is one of the countries in this effective scale.1 According to many historians, Buddhism arrived in Vietnam directly from India by Business men at that time. Therefore, the word of “Buddha” was directly translated to Vietnamese “Bụt”. Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam in the first century CE2. Going through many ups and downs as well as events of Vietnam history, Buddhism has gone with the Vietnamese nation during 2000 years. Especially, under the Ly and Tran dynasties from 10th – to 14th century, Buddhism became state religion contributing considerably to the
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