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A Study of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam

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A Study of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam A STUDY OF THERAVĀDA BUDDHISM IN VIETNAM By Mae Chee Huynh Kim Lan Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) International Master Degree of Arts Programme Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Bangkok, Thailand B.E 2553/A.D 2010 A STUDY OF THERAVĀDA BUDDHISM IN VIETNAM By Mae Chee Huynh Kim Lan Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) International Master Degree of Arts Programme Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Bangkok, Thailand B.E 2553/A.D 2010 (Copyright of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University) i ii Thesis Title : A Study of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam Researcher : Mae Chee Huynh Kim Lan (Sughosa) Degree : Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) Thesis Superviory Community : : Assist. Prof. Dr Phra Suthithammanuwat (Pali IX, Ph.D) : Dr Veerachart Nimanong (Pali VI, BA, Bed, M Phil, PhD) Date of Graduation : March 12, 2011 Abstract This thesis has the following three objectives: (1) To study the history of Theravāda in Vietnam. (2) To study the characteristics and practices of Theravāda in Vietnam. (3) To study the present status of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam. The result of the findings is as follows: Firstly, passing through the historical periods of the land of present day Vietnam, Theravāda Buddhism was practiced by the Khmer in the Mekong Delta, which is recorded to have been integrating into the homeland of Vietnam. Thereby, Theravāda Buddhism became to be practiced in Vietnam. Besides this, Theravāda Buddhism appeared and is followed by the Vietnamese people in other parts of Vietnam outside the Mekong Delta area. The Vietnamese in those areas were interested in Theravāda Buddhism as it was practiced for a long time in the history of Cambodia. In addition, the development of Theravāda Buddhism was greatly helped through contacts with Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka. iii As a result, the Vietnamese received knowledge of the Theravāda tradition directly from these sources of the original Teaching of the Buddha. It is interesting that the Theravāda followers in Vietnam always aspire to study in those countries that follow the original Theravāda tradition. They want to study Theravāda in countries were the original Teaching is put into practice to truly understand the Theravāda doctrine. Therefore, in chapter 2 this research makes us to recognize clearly the history of development of Theravāda in Vietnam during the different periods of Funan, Chenla and Vietnam. Secondly, by analyzing the characteristics and practices of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam: its common features and some different characteristics due to the difference national culture of the Khmer and the Vietnamese. We easily can recognize the similarities between Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam and Theravāda Buddhism in the above mentioned five Theravāda countries. The specialty is the same faithful traditions shared by Khmer Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam and Theravāda Buddhism in Theravāda countries. It is also pointed out that there are differences between the earlier Vietnamese and Khmer faith cultures. This is because the Vietnamese people are influenced by the Mahayana culture. This makes the Vietnamese Theravāda missioners to have new ways of Dhamma propagation aiming to make the Vietnamese to understand the Theravāda doctrine. They are not like the Khmer people following Theravāda Buddhism as a national tradition. Due to these situations, the Vietnamese Theravāda followers in Vietnam have basic knowledge of the difference between Mahayana and Theravāda Buddhism. This is a good factor for missionary work in Vietnam. Thirdly, my study goes to examine the seven different fields of the present status of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam. They are the monks and temples, the Education, the Propagation, the Meditation activities, the Relation between Khmer and Vietnamese Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam, the Relation between Theravāda Buddhism and Mahāyāna Buddhism in Vietnam and the Problems and their solutions for Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam iv Acknowledgements Based on the requirements of the Master Degree of Arts in Buddhist Studies of the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, I today have finished this thesis and submit it to the MCU. I may express my thankfulness for those who helped me during my study and to accomplish the thesis.I am grateful to Thai Buddhism and the Thai King’s support for Buddhism. It is a chance given to me to come to Thailand for studying the Dhamma in the International Master of Arts Degree Programme in Buddhist Studies at the MCU. I am grateful to the Khmer Theravāda Buddhist Council of Tra Vinh, Vietnam, which introduced me to the MCU in Thailand to do my Buddhist Studies. I would like to express my gratitude to the Most Venerable Professor Dr Phra Dharmakosajarn, Rector of the Mahachulalongkornvidylaya University, the Assist. Prof. Dr. Phra Suthithammanuwat, Dean of the Graduate School and Phra Sithawatchameth, Director of IMAP and all Ajharns of the MCU who taught and supported me during the course of my study. I am highly grateful to Associate Prof. Dr. Phra Suthithammanuwat, and Dr. Veerachart Nimanong, who are my thesis advisers, who gave me the most helpful guidance to finish this thesis. I would like to express my gratitude to the Most Venerables Đào Như and Thạch Sok Xane, the two Vice Rectors of the Khmer Theravāda Academic for Buddhist Studies. Ajharn Thạch Long Thinh, the Most Venerable Tịnh Giác, and the Venerables Sơn Ngọc Huynh, Thích Thiện Minh, Thích Pháp Nhiên, Sơn Cường, Trần Văn Trà, Munijoto, Sư Cô Ngọc Duyên and Sư Cô Sucittā who heartily answered my questions and gave new information for my research. I am greatly indebted to the authors and writers of the books, the Thesis, and the Articles listed in the bibliography for their valuable resources. v I would like to express my gratitude to three persons who helped to revise my English grammar. The first person, Mr. Brahmapalita read my thesis at first time. The second person, Mr. Dr Trinh Thanh Dang, who got M.A Philosophy in 1992 and at South East Missuri University and is certified to teach English as a second language, and in 2003 the Ed. D in Education. He has taught twelve years in high school, French, English, and Math and the last five years in Washington University in St. Louis Missouri, he taught Vietnamese Culture and language. Mr. Dr Trinh Thanh Dang revised it in correcting. The final one, Ajharn Ulrich Wilhelm Lipelt edited my thesis. My heartfelt gratitude is also extended to the abbot of Wat Bangsaodhong and Ajharn Preeja, the assistant to the abbot for kindly permitting me to stay in his monastery. Besides, I am very grateful to the helping of Ms Khun Mae chief Sumvan Imnag in Nekkhammabhirumsathan Wat Brumniwat when I first came to Thailand in 2006. I am grateful to the Venerable Kim Minh Khánh who helped to make the formatting of my thesis, the Venerable Kalyānacāri who typed my thesis and the Venerable Chánh Đạo as the spiritual teacher during my study in Thailand. I would like to express my gratitude to all Teachers who taught me in Vietnam, and those who have been supporters of my religious life. I am grateful to my mother, Ms Phạm Thị Chín and family and all Buddhists who have supported me to study abroad. Lastly, I would like to thank Maechee Amphai Tansomboon, Secretary of IMAP, and all the officers of the MCU, who helped me during my study. Huynh Kim Lan Septemper 8th, 2009 vi List of Abbreviations In quoting the Pali sources, the references are given according to the volume and page number of the PTS editions. Pali Sources Dhp. : Dhammapada Other Sources A.D : Anno Domini B.C : Before Chirst B.E : Buddhist Era Ed : edited HCMC : Ho Chi Minh City KTB : Khmer Theravāda Buddhism Ibid. : ibidden/ in the same book MCU : Mahachulalongkornvidylaya University No. : Number Op cit : opera citato / as referred P (p) : page (p) Pp : pages PED : Pāli-English Dictionary PTS : Pāli Test Society Tr. (tr.) : translated TBV : Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam Vol (s) : volume (s) VTB : Vietnamese Theravāda Buddhism VTBSC : Vietnamese Theravāda Buddhist Sangha Congregation vii Table of Contents Page No Approval i Abstract ii Acknowledgements iv List Abbreviations vi Table of Contents vii 1 Chapter I: Introduction 1.1 Background and Significance of the Study 1 1.2 Objective of Research 4 1.3 Research Questions 5 1.4 Definitions of the Terms 5 1.5 Review of the Literature and Research Works 6 Concerned 1.6 Method of Study 6 1.7 Expected Benefits of the Study 7 Chapter II: The History of Theravāda Buddhism of 8 Vietnam 2.1 The Origin of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam 8 2.2 Development of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam 11 2.2.1 Period of Funan 11 2.2.2 Period of Chenla 13 2.2.3 Period of Vietnam 16 2.2.3.1 Under the Nguyễn Lord ‘s 16 Government 2.2.3.2 Under the French’s Rule 18 2.2.3.3 Under the United States’ Rule 22 2.2.3.4 Under the Communist Party 24 (After 1975) 2.3 Factors Leading to the Development of Theravāda 26 Buddhism in Vietnam viii 2.4 Buddhist Relationship between Cambodia and 30 Vietnam 2.5 Concluding Remark 33 Chapter III: The Characteristics and Practices of Theravāda 36 Buddhism in Vietnam 3.1 Sangha Activities 36 3.1.1 Life of monks 36 3.1.1.1 System of the Sangha 36 3.1.1.2 Social Activities 38 3.1.2 System of Education in the Sangha 42 3.1.2.1 System of Studying Dhamma 42 3.1.2.2 Purpose of Education 50 3.1.2.3 View of Liberation 52 3.1.3 Ordination Name
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