VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
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Phan Thanh
BUDDHIST LITERATURE IN THUAN QUANG PROVINCE, 17TH-18TH CENTURIES: APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS
ABSTRACT OF THE DOCTORAL THESIS IN LITERATURE
Hanoi - 2020
The project was completed at:
University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi
Scientific supervisor: Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Vuong
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The dissertation will be defended before the National University Dissertation Examination Board.
The PhDs are meeting at . ...
at [time] on [date] [month] [year] 20...
The thesis can be found at:
- National Library of Vietnam
- Information and Library Center, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
INTRODUCTION
1. Reasons for choosing the topic
After taking control of Thuan Quang province, the Nguyen lords comprehensively developed the region, expanding its boundaries and completing almost the map of Vietnam as it is today.
Thuan Quang holds a significant position in the overall political, cultural, and ideological history of Vietnam. Its territorial separation and independence during the 17th and 18th centuries created unique characteristics and influenced the development of Vietnamese culture and literature.
The Nguyen Lords prioritized Buddhism as the cornerstone of the Thuan Quang ideological system. This led to a profound influence of Buddhism on cultural and literary life, forming a prominent Buddhist literary tradition that played a significant role in the development of literature in the Thuan Quang region in particular and Vietnamese literature in general.
To affirm the position of Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang, it is necessary to have a comprehensive research project that describes its appearance and points out the outstanding characteristics of this literary genre.
Based on the above theoretical and practical premises, we have chosen this research direction with the topic...Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th centuries: Appearance and characteristics.
2. Research Subjects and Scope
The subject of this dissertation is: Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang.
Scope of research: The appearance and characteristics of Buddhist literature in the Thuan Quang region during the 17th and 18th centuries. The specific timeframe is defined from 1600, with the event of Nguyen Hoang's return to Thuan Quang, officially separating from the Le-Trinh dynasty, to 1802, with the event of Nguyen Anh unifying the country and ascending the throne with the reign name Gia Long.
3. Research objectives and tasks
4. Research Methodology
The dissertation employs the following research methods: literary history research method; systems method; comparative and contrastive method; interdisciplinary research method.
5. Contributions of the Thesis
Contributing to the understanding of the history, culture, and ideology of Thuan Quang.
Contributing to the body of Vietnamese Buddhist literature is a specialized study that provides a comprehensive overview of Buddhist literature in the Thuan Quang region during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Contributing to the identification of the distinctive and characteristic elements of the culture of the Thuan Quang region.
Affirming the position of Buddhism in the intellectual, cultural, and literary history of the Vietnamese nation.
6. Structure of the Thesis
Besides the Introduction, Conclusion, References, and Appendix, the Body of the Thesis is structured into four chapters as follows:
Chapter 1: Overview of the Research Situation
Chapter 2: Buddhism and Literature in Thuan Quang during the 17th-18th Centuries
Chapter 3: The Face of Buddhist Literature in Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th Centuries
Chapter 4: Characteristics of Buddhist Literature in Thuan Quang during the 17th-18th Centuries
CONTENT
Chapter 1: OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH SITUATION
1.1. General Issues
1.1.1. The Concept of Buddhist Literature
Historically, there have been two prevailing views on Buddhist literature in academic circles:
1) Buddhist literature consists only of Sutras, Vinaya, and Abhidharma - the three canonical scriptures;
2) Buddhist literature encompasses all works related to Buddhism. Within the scope of this dissertation, we understand the concept of Buddhist literature to include all works written about Buddhism, those influenced by Buddhist thought, whether directly or indirectly, and even works that criticize Buddhism.
1.1.2. Thuan Quang Region in the 17th - 18th Centuries
Thuan Quang region is the collective name for the two regions of Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam, stretching from the Gianh River (Linh Giang, in present-day Quang Binh province) to present-day Phu Yen province.
We consider the 17th-18th centuries to be from 1600 to 1802.
1.1.3. Buddhist Literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th Centuries
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang during the 17th and 18th centuries includes works that convey Buddhist thought, are influenced by Buddhist thought, and also works that criticize Buddhism, written in the Thuan Quang region during these two centuries. The creative force includes authors living in the Thuan Quang region who were associated with Buddhist thought.
1.2. The situation of collecting and researching Buddhist literary texts in Thuan Quang during the 17th-18th centuries
1.2.1. The situation of collecting Buddhist literary texts in Thuan Quang during the 17th-18th centuries
The collection of Buddhist literary texts in Thuan Quang during the 17th and 18th centuries can be divided into two phases.
Firstly, during the medieval period, Confucian scholars consciously collected, compiled, and evaluated literary legacies and preserved the literary works of their predecessors. A prime example is Le Quy Don with his work...Kien Van Tieu Luc, Bui Huy Bich with his workHoang Viet Anthology of Poems, Hoang Viet Anthology of Literature, Phan Huy Chú withHistorical Records of Dynastic ConstitutionsTran Viet Tho - Nguyen Phuc Hong Vinh withHam Long Mountain Chronicle....
Secondly, the modern period. Literary researchers continue to collect, translate, annotate, and evaluate the value of literary works from our ancestors. Researchers use the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ (Latin) script in their research. Notable contributions include the collection efforts of authors such as Phan Hứa Thụy, Nguyễn Q. Thắng, Lê Mạnh Thát, the Huệ Quang Translation Center, and the Liễu Quán Cultural Center in Huế. In addition, scholars who are also monks have collected texts from monastic libraries at temples and pagodas. They provide a large number of texts, including handwritten, woodblock, and printed materials.
1.2.2. The situation of translation and research of Buddhist literary texts in Thuan Quang during the 17th-18th centuries
First and foremost, we must mention the works written about the lives and works of Zen masters of this period by Buddhist scholars such as Nguyen Lang - Thich Nhat Hanh, Thich Mat The, Thich Minh Tue; and the monumental works of Le Manh That, Thich Hai An, Thich Nhu Tinh, Thich Dong Duong... Secondly, there are the works of researchers on Buddhist literature such as Dinh Gia Khanh, Bui Van Nguyen, Nguyen Huu Son, Tran Ngoc Vuong, Nguyen Kim Son, Nguyen Cong Ly, Tran Hong Lien, Phan Dang, Doan Le Giang...
Le Manh That made significant contributions to the collection, translation, and annotation of numerous works from the early 20th century to the 21st century. Among these are works that have been translated and annotated such as:Anthology of Vietnamese Buddhist Literature, History of Vietnamese BuddhismIn addition, Le Manh That has published works such as:Complete Works of Minh Chau Huong Hai, Complete Works of Toan Nhat Quang Dai...with thorough research, translation, and annotation of each individual work.
Translated by Thich Gioi HuongHue Pagoda Inscription,History of Buddhism in HueThe works compiled by Thích Hải Ấn and Hà Xuân Liêm have contributed to the study of Buddhist literary texts in Huế. Similarly, works on the history of each province that previously belonged to Thuận Quảng region also follow this research direction, such as...The biographies of Zen masters from Quang Nam province, the history of the Chuc Thanh Zen lineage.by Thich Nhu Tinh;Buddhism in Phu Yenby Nguyen Dinh Chuc - Thich Nhu Tinh;Representative temples in Binh Dinh provinceby Loc Xuyen Dang Quy Dich…
The aforementioned works are merely preliminary studies that demonstrate the achievements in research not only on Buddhism but, more importantly, the urgent need to collect, translate, and study Buddhist literary texts. These literary texts will serve as valuable resources for developing this dissertation topic.
1.3. Research situation on Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang during the 17th-18th centuries
1.3.1. Buddhist Literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th Centuries in Buddhist Studies
Thich Mat The presented on the development of Buddhism in his work.A Brief History of Vietnamese Buddhism(1942). The author dedicated Chapters Eight and Nine to presenting "Buddhism during the North-South conflict" and "Buddhism under the Nguyen dynasty". However, from a historical perspective, the author only mentioned verses or works to list the representative figures.
Vietnamese Buddhist Historyby Nguyen Lang,History of Vietnamese BuddhismAll the books edited by Nguyen Tai Thu include sections on the lives, actions, and thoughts of famous Zen masters, including those from the Thuan Quang region.
History of Buddhism in Southern VietnamThe two volumes written by Nguyen Hien Duc on the history of Buddhism in Dang Trong (Southern Vietnam) are the most elaborate and valuable. The author lists great writers in Vietnamese literature such as Dao Duy Tu, Nguyen Cu Trinh, Ngo The Lan, Nguyen Duong Hao, Pham Thi Lam Anh, Nguyen Phuoc Tu, Mac Thien Tich… who were influenced by Buddhist thought.
The Vietnam Institute of Buddhist Studies advocatesBuddhist and folk bookshelfHe has published many works on Vietnamese Buddhism such asBuddhism during the Later Le DynastyBuddhism during the Nguyen DynastyThis collection brings together outstanding articles on Buddhism during the late Le and Nguyen dynasties, assessing the role and position of Lord-Bodhisattva Nguyen Phuc Chu in expanding the territory, developing the country, and influencing literature.
Besides general studies on Buddhism in Thuan Quang region, which mention the literary works of various authors, there are also separate studies of individual authors and their works. Famous Zen masters such as Zen Master Lieu Quan, Zen Master Minh Hai Phap Bao, Zen Master Toan Nhat Quang Dai, etc., have been the subject of much research by scholars, with numerous works dedicated to them.
From the perspective of religious history research, Buddhist thought research, and Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang during the 17th and 18th centuries, the basic characteristics have been defined with a fairly extensive history of research.
1.3.2. Buddhist Literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th Centuries in Literary History Studies
Based on historical events, regional characteristics, and the number of authors and works, researchers have examined Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang from the perspective of literary theory, author biographies, and the ideas and content of the works.
SetHam Long Mountain ChronicleThe works of lay Buddhist Diem Tinh and Dao Nhan Nhu have introduced and commented on prominent Buddhist literary works from Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam provinces from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
In 1972, Nguyen Van Sam wrote the book.Literature of Southern Vietnam - Literature of the Southern RegionIt can be said that this work comprehensively summarizes the appearance and characteristics of literature in the Southern region of Vietnam. Nguyen Van Sam analyzed and evaluated authors belonging to the literature of Thuan Quang such as Dao Duy Tu, Nguyen Cu Trinh, Ngo The Lan, Nguyen Huu Hao, Ngoc Han…
Le Manh That was interested in researching the history, thought, culture, and literature of Thuan Quang from a very early age and produced many monumental works. For example,Complete Works of Zen Master Toàn Nhật(1979)Complete Works of Minh Chau Huong Hai(2000) successively introduced and explained the author's biography and evaluated the ideological content of the works of two great authors from the Thuan Quang region.
"Literature of the Southern Region" by Cao Tu Thanh is a comprehensive treatise on the literature of the Southern region, treating it as a distinct subject of study. The author has, to some extent, addressed the issue of religion, including Buddhism, and how it influenced the literature of this region.
Hoang Xuan Han compiled and introduced this.Twin Stars StoryBy Nguyen Huu Hao in 1987, transcribed, annotated and introduced by Le Ngoc Tru and Pham Van Luat.Monk and Nunby Nguyen Cu Trinh in 1969, collected, translated, annotated, and introduced by Phan Hua Thuy.Poetry and prose of Nguyen Cu Trinh1989.
Nguyen Q. Thang has a series of works on the literature of the Dang Trong region, such asQuang Nam, Land of People (1996);Quang Nam in the journey of territorial expansion and national defense (2005);Vietnamese Literature in the New Land, Volume 1 (2007)...has collected and evaluated literature from this new land.
Theses include research papers on epigraphy such asResearch on Han Nom inscriptions in Quang Nam provinceby Nguyen Hoang Than (2014),Research on the inscriptions of Thua Thien HueAccording to Doan Trung Huu (2015), Nguyen Ai Dung's study of Quang Ngai stele inscriptions... assessed the content value of the stele inscriptions, affirming a literary genre related to Buddhism in Thuan Quang region.
In the constructionVietnamese literature during the Le-Mac period and the North-South conflict.(2018), Nguyen Cong Ly summarized Vietnamese literature during the turbulent historical period of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. In section 4.10, the author paid attention to Buddhist literature in the Thuan Quang region with the title "Representative Authors of Buddhist Literature".
In 2018,Binh Dinh Buddhist and Literature Scientific ConferenceThe conference held in Binh Dinh provided a comprehensive overview of Binh Dinh's Buddhist literature, which is also a part of Thuan Quang literature.
The two research directions mentioned above show that Buddhism and literature in Thuan Quang have received considerable attention from researchers. However, these are only specialized studies on one aspect of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature, and no work has yet presented a complete picture and clarified the characteristics of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature during the 17th-18th centuries.
Chapter 2: Buddhism and Literature in Thuan Quang Province, 17th-18th Centuries
2.1. Buddhism in Thuan Quang during the 17th and 18th centuries
2.1.1. Social context of Thuan Quang region in the 17th - 18th centuries
In 1558, Nguyen Hoang was ordered by the Le-Trinh dynasty to govern the Thuan Quang region. In 1600, after paying tribute to the North, Nguyen Hoang returned to Thuan Quang and officially broke away from the Le-Trinh court. From then on, the Trinh-Nguyen factions engaged in numerous wars to conquer each other, eventually dividing the country into two regions: Northern Vietnam (Dang Ngoai) and Southern Vietnam (Dang Trong).
Simultaneously with establishing the government in Dang Trong (Southern Vietnam), the Nguyen lords carried out a southward expansion, extending the territory to the south and perfecting the map of Vietnam as it is today.
The initial population of Thuan Quang was very diverse. It included Chams, Vietnamese, and Minh Huong people. This presented both challenges and opportunities for the Nguyen dynasty to develop its power.
For nearly two hundred years, under nine lords, the Nguyen dynasty built a vast and comprehensively developed region in Dang Trong (Southern Vietnam), encompassing economy, politics, culture, and military affairs. After the death of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, power fell into the hands of Truong Phuc Loan, a tyrannical ruler. From then on, the imperial court gradually weakened, losing its ability to govern society and care for the people's well-being.
In 1771, the Tay Son brothers revolted against the Nguyen lords. The Southern region (Dang Trong) was once again plunged into continuous warfare. Subsequently, Nguyen Hue defeated the Nguyen lords, the Trinh lords, and the Le kings, unifying the country from North to South. Afterward, Nguyen Anh defeated the Tay Son and ascended the throne as Emperor Gia Long in 1802.
The Nguyen Lords particularly supported Buddhism through concrete and positive actions such as building temples and pagodas, sculpting statues, casting religious artifacts, inviting eminent monks, and establishing ordination platforms to transmit Buddhist teachings. Thanks to the support of the Nguyen government, Buddhism in Thuan Quang flourished. Besides the introduction of Zen schools from abroad, it was also the birthplace of two Zen lineages that later developed strongly. Therefore, Buddhism had a profound influence on the cultural and spiritual life of the people of Thuan Quang.
2.1.2. Buddhism in Thuan Quang - the introduction and development of Buddhist sects
Buddhism in Thuan Quang was introduced and developed very early. Thuan Quang inherited Cham Buddhism, while also receiving Buddhism from Vietnamese migrants. Furthermore, the open international policy allowed Chinese monks to come and propagate Buddhism and establish ordination centers.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Buddhism in Thuan Quang province had five Zen schools, including: the Linji and Caodong schools, which were introduced from China; the Truc Lam Yen Tu school of Vietnam, which was introduced from the North; and two Zen schools that originated in Thuan Quang: the Lieu Quan and Chuc Thanh schools. The emergence of the Lieu Quan and Chuc Thanh schools is particularly noteworthy, demonstrating the significant development of Buddhism in this region. Buddhism in Thuan Quang had a profound influence on the socio-cultural life of the area.
2.1.3. Buddhism in Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th centuries from a contemporary and diachronic perspective.
From a contemporary perspective, Buddhism in Thuan Quang during the 17th and 18th centuries emerged later than Buddhism in Dang Ngoai (Northern Vietnam). However, compared to Buddhism in the South, Thuan Quang Buddhism played a transitional role and accelerated the development of Buddhism there. Thuan Quang Buddhism played a role in continuing and creating a continuous flow of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Historically, Buddhism in Thuan Quang inherited the Cham Buddhist tradition, then adopted and incorporated Zen schools from the North and China, giving rise to two Zen lineages: the Lieu Quan lineage and the Chuc Thanh lineage. This development later enabled Buddhism in Thuan Quang to continue its pioneering role in the development of Vietnamese Buddhism.
2.2. Literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th centuries
2.2.1. The development of Thuan Quang literature within Vietnamese literature.
Compared to the literary centers of Ha Tien and Gia Dinh, the Thuan Quang literary center was established earlier and had its own unique characteristics.
Before the 17th century, the literature of Thuan Quang went through many centuries of stagnation due to the scarcity of writers. In the 17th century, along with the territorial expansion came the expansion of Vietnamese literature. Vietnamese literature followed the pioneers, and in fact, the Thuan Quang region served as an intermediary step in establishing the literature of the Northern region (Dang Ngoai) in the Southern region (Dang Trong). Dao Duy Tu is considered the architect of this new literary region, the Thuan Quang region. The literature of Thuan Quang embraced and respected writers from the Northern region. Thuan Quang was the gateway that created a springboard for the development of Vietnamese literature, completing the literary map of Vietnam. Without the distinctive characteristics of the Thuan Quang literary region, there would likely not have been a continuous flow of literature from the Northern to the Southern region, forming a consistent literary tradition in the history of national literature. The works from the Thuan Quang region, in terms of genre, became the foundational works of Vietnamese literature.Twin Stars Never SleepNguyen Huu Hao's work is the first to mark the birth of the Vietnamese Nôm narrative literary genre.Chronicle of the Achievements of the Southern DynastyNguyen Khoa Chiem's work is considered the pioneering work of the episodic novel genre in Vietnam.
Although initially planned by intellectuals from the North, it soon formed a distinct regional literary movement, contributing to the richness of Vietnamese literature. The unique demographic composition provided an advantage in developing new literary forms suited to the practical needs of life. Furthermore, this uniqueness led to a less formal, less academically focused scholarly pursuits, allowing literature to develop naturally.
Moving southward, authors from Thuan Quang brought their unique style to blend with the literary regions of Gia Dinh and Ha Tien. The Thuan Quang literary region had the mission of being a center continuing the flow of Vietnamese literature.
2.2.2. Buddhism and the literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th centuries
Buddhism held a significant place in the intellectual, cultural, and social life of Thuan Quang, thus having a considerable influence on Thuan Quang literature, creating a distinct style and characteristics of Buddhist literature.
Chapter 3: THE FACE OF BUDDHIST LITERATURE IN THUAN QUANG PROVINCE DURING THE 17TH-18TH CENTURIES
3.1. Creative forces
3.1.1. Authors of Zen Masters
Zen masters and Buddhist monks are the core force of Buddhist literature. The profound philosophical ideas of Buddhism, experienced through their practice and expressed in their language, are a distinguishing feature that sets them apart from other literary traditions.
3.1.2. Authors who were kings and nobles
Buddhism was patronized by the Nguyen dynasty, so this class, to varying degrees, had some understanding of Buddhist teachings. They expressed their devotion to Buddhism, praising the religion and the beauty of Buddhist temples and monasteries through poetry and literature.
3.1.3. Officials and Confucian scholars
The Nguyen lords held the roles of both rulers and religious leaders; in other words, they combined royal and religious power in their rule. Therefore, it's certain that the Confucian officials and scholars supported this religious authority. Whether they wanted to or not, within this general context, the authors, both officials and Confucian scholars, were more or less influenced by Buddhist thought.
The aforementioned force of Buddhist literary creators demonstrates that Buddhism has had a profound and widespread influence on social life.
3.2. Genre System
3.2.1. Zen poetry and verses
The Buddhist poetry and Zen verses in Thuan Quang's literature include: verses for transmitting the Dharma and lineages, verses for deathbed deities, and Zen poems inspired by Buddhist teachings. To grasp the content and artistic form of these verses, besides literary ability, researchers also need a certain understanding of Buddhist thought and Zen philosophy. Depending on their level of understanding, Buddhist perspective, and individual capacity, each person will perceive the meaning of these verses differently.
3.2.2. Minh, inscription
Buddhist inscriptions from Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th centuries include: presenting the merits of restoration and reconstruction, recording the names of benefactors who contributed; describing the life, merits of conversion and enlightenment, and the attainment of Buddhahood; praising the monastic landscapes and Buddhist landmarks of Thuan Quang, thereby presenting Buddhist philosophy.
The Buddhist inscriptions of Thuan Quang not only reveal the historical development of Buddhism in Thuan Quang but also profoundly express Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, the combination of various practices in cultivation such as the simultaneous practice of Zen and Pure Land Buddhism.
3.2.3. Evening
In Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang, the "vãn" genre is characterized by praise and joy. This genre predominates in the total number of works, with each work being very substantial in length and covering a wide range of themes. The "vãn" genre creates the unique character of Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang.
3.2.4. Phu
The "phú" genre in Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th centuries was used to praise and glorify Buddhism, convey its doctrines, or express inspiration towards Buddhism. The use of Nôm script in Thuan Quang Buddhist literature reflects a unique regional character.
3.2.5. Record of sayings
This genre is not common in the Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang. Existing documents indicate two recorded sayings, among which the saying of Patriarch Lieu Quan expresses the Mahayana spirit with the Emptiness of all phenomena, affirming the profound understanding and realization of Zen truth by Zen Master Lieu Quan, the founder of the Lieu Quan Linji Zen lineage.
3.2.6. Other Categories
Genre: Autobiography, Prose
The richness of the preface and epilogue genres in Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang demonstrates that, in addition to the development of Buddhism, there was also a very vibrant atmosphere of Buddhist literary activity.
Religious treatise genre
The classical treatises written by authors of this period demonstrate the high level of academic and research attention given to Buddhism. They also show that Zen masters and monks were very conscious of creating and propagating Buddhist teachings through literature. This genre enriched and diversified the landscape of Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang.
3.3. Language System
3.3.1. Written Texts
Historically, although Thuan Quang was inhabited by Chams, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Westerners, Buddhist literature primarily used Chinese characters and Nom script. Nom script, in particular, was widely used in genres such as prose and rhyming prose, creating a distinctive characteristic of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature.
3.3.2. The Buddhist language system
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang during the 17th and 18th centuries fully embodies the characteristics of Buddhist language used through literary means: conciseness, evocative power, and intellectual ability to inspire associations. Simultaneously, it possesses a popular and accessible nature, aiming to widely disseminate Buddhist teachings to the masses. The language of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature can be divided into two categories: concise language with implied meaning; and simple, accessible, and unadorned language.
3.3.3. The System of Buddhist Allusions
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang has Vietnamized many Buddhist and Zen Buddhist terms, as well as allusions and historical references from the Three Religions, making the works easier to understand and convey without losing the author's intended meaning.
3.4. Topic
3.4.1. Direct presentation of Buddhist teachings
This is the main topic for identifying the differences between Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang and other parts of the Thuan Quang region during the same period.
Presenting Buddhist teachings directly, Thuan Quang Buddhist literature delved into Buddhist philosophical theories such as Form and Emptiness, Nirvana, True Mind, and Buddha-nature... These were presented through vivid and luminous imagery in artistic language, using various rhetorical devices to help the masses clearly understand the meaning of the Buddha's teachings.
3.4.2. Nature
The realistic imagery of nature, with its vibrant beauty, evokes emotion in the author, who reflects on it through the perspective of a poet with Zen-like eyes and a Zen master with a poetic soul.
Images of nature are symbolic and transcendental, used to express Buddhist philosophy directly or indirectly. These are metaphorical images, where nature becomes a subject full of symbolic meaning related to Buddhist philosophy.
3.4.3. Human beings and earthly life
This praises individuals who have made great contributions to the practice and propagation of Buddhism. Famous Zen masters and enlightened rulers who played specific roles in the development of Buddhism are celebrated and their stories are preserved.
The lives of ordinary people are also depicted to some extent, thereby showing the influence of Buddhism on people's lives. Although not appearing frequently, readers will find the authors' reflections on the vicissitudes of life. All of this is expressed through the language and sensibility of Zen and Buddhism, with subtle emotional resonance.
Chapter 4: CHARACTERISTICS OF THUAN QUANG BUDDHIST LITERATURE IN THE 17TH-18TH CENTURIES
4.1. The transformation of thought in Vietnamese Buddhist literature
4.1.1. Transferring the values of Buddhist literature in Northern Vietnam
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang continued the Buddhist literature from Dang Ngoai (Northern Vietnam), creating its own unique characteristics, and then pushed Buddhist literature southward to Thuan Quang. Thuan Quang Buddhist literature became the gateway for the unified and comprehensive development of Vietnamese Buddhist literature.
4.1.2. Conveying Buddhist teachings
With its diverse genres, Buddhism has conveyed its teachings to sentient beings, helping them escape the suffering of reincarnation and attain enlightenment and liberation. In expressing Buddhist doctrines and thought, we see a clear trend and stratification. The first level is Buddhism for intellectuals (intellectual Buddhism), where authors often express philosophical ideas such as the concepts of form and emptiness, Buddha-nature, emphasizing the mind and achieving enlightenment in Zen Buddhism. The second level is Buddhism for the common people (folk Buddhism), where authors express more relatable and practical ideas such as karma, karmic retribution, and reincarnation…
4.1.3. The perspective on spiritual practice and the spirit of engagement with the world.
Buddhist literary authors have presented concepts of spiritual practice for enlightenment and liberation that are closely related to daily life. The practice of liberation primarily involves observing precepts, reciting the Buddha's name, and meditating.
The philosophy of "Respecting Confucianism and admiring Buddhism" was the way the people of Thuan Quang resolved the issues of spiritual practice for liberation and engaging with the world to save humanity.
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang successfully created the character Dong Van, a concrete image representing the Vietnamese Buddhist concept of asceticism being inseparable from life, the path to liberation through asceticism, and the commitment to engaging with the world to save humanity.
4.2. Integration of Ideologies
4.2.1. The policy of "abiding by Confucianism and admiring Buddhism"
Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu initiated the policy.Confucian scholars admire Buddhists.This fulfills the social demands placed upon it. It means living by the compassionate and wise spirit of Buddhism and contributing to the building of society according to Confucian thought.
The concept of "embracing Confucianism while admiring Buddhism" was a timely policy for harmonizing and integrating social thought at the time. On the one hand, it connected the people's sentiments with the inherent characteristics of the diverse population and culture. On the other hand, it countered the Westernization trend that the Nguyen dynasty feared would go too far beyond its absolute power, while simultaneously preserving the necessity of traditional institutions and preventing the rapid and radical influence of Western culture and Christianity from penetrating urban life too strongly.
4.2.2. Integration of Buddhist Schools
Buddhism in Thuan Quang has strong interaction between various Zen schools and sects due to its geographical and historical characteristics. The Buddhism here is shaped by the mystical spells and magic of Cham Buddhism; and by Zen schools and practices imported from the North and from China. It can be said that within Zen Buddhism, there is a harmonious blend of various Zen schools such as Linji, Caodong, Truc Lam, Lieu Quan, and Chuc Thanh. Within these practices, there is a harmonious blend of Zen, Esoteric Buddhism, and Pure Land Buddhism, forming the three practices of Zen, Esoteric, and Pure Land Buddhism.
4.2.3. Integration of the Three Religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism
Literary authors from Thuan Quang all shared a desire to harmonize the ideas of the Three Religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, and even, more broadly, the ideas of Western Christianity.
The representation of other religious ideas in Buddhist literature is a form of engagement, on the one hand to select and absorb them, and on the other hand to affirm the position of Buddhism. To harmonize the Three Religions (Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism), authors argue that Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism share a common origin, source, and foundation. The introduction of new ideas from the West, coupled with internal contradictions, forced Buddhist literary authors to find ways to reconcile these ideas concretely through many powerful images.
4.3. Concepts of poetics and Zen philosophy and the trends in the development of Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang
4.3.1. Open-mindedness in the conception of Poetics and Zen Buddhism
Unconstrained by rigid wording, the authors allowed their works to develop naturally, reflecting the character of the people in this new land. Zen masters and monks were not bound by the constraints of terminology – a fundamental aspect of Zen Buddhism's "wordless" philosophy – nor were they constrained by the origins of the words. Buddhist and Zen terminology was used simply, familiarly, and easily understood, aimed at serving the masses. All of this reflects a liberal and open-minded approach.
4.3.2. The trend of incorporating Buddhist literary works into everyday life.
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang province tends towards performance-based genres such as singing, dancing, and chanting, reflecting the popular aspects of daily life. Therefore, it can be observed that Thuan Quang Buddhist literature tends to bring literary works to life. The performance of Buddhist literary works, combined with music and rituals, makes the works more vibrant and allows Buddhist thought to resonate more easily with the people.
4.4. Promoting Buddhism
4.4.1. Praising the scenery of temples and pagodas
In Buddhist literature, nature is divided into two forms: transcendental images of nature, symbolic in nature, directly or indirectly expressing the philosophical ideas of Zen Buddhism; and realistic images of nature with vibrant, fresh, wondrous, and captivating beauty that evokes emotion in the authors.
Images of nature stir the mind, awakening the true nature of enlightenment. The beautiful natural scenery of temples and pagodas in the Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang is always radiant and beautiful, reflecting a love of life, love of society, belief in prosperity, and a selfless heart in line with the compassionate spirit of Buddhism.
4.4.2. Praising the eminent monks
Zen masters and monks who attained enlightenment and wielded great influence on society were praised and honored, becoming a central theme in Thuan Quang Buddhist literature. The character Dong Van became a prominent figure in Buddhist literature. This is a distinctive feature of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature in the 17th and 18th centuries, affirming its position within the stream of Vietnamese Buddhist literature.
CONCLUDE
Buddhist literature is an important part of Vietnamese literature. This part contributes to shaping the appearance and characteristics of Vietnamese literature throughout different periods.
Thuan Quang was a relatively new territory compared to the Northern region. Its population was diverse, encompassing many different cultures, including the Cham, Vietnamese, Minh Huong, and Westerners. Faced with such a diverse cultural landscape, the Nguyen Lords chose Buddhism as the cornerstone of their policies for uniting the people, managing society, and developing this new land.
Buddhism in Thuan Quang has a unique blend. First and foremost, Thuan Quang Buddhism is Cham Buddhism, directly influenced by Indian Buddhism. Although the majority of Cham people left Thuan Quang, Cham Buddhist culture persisted and underwent profound interaction and exchange with Vietnamese Buddhism. When Vietnamese migrants followed the Nguyen lords to reclaim and establish settlements in the new land, they brought Vietnamese Buddhism from the North. Thuan Quang Buddhism not only interacted with Cham but also blended with Chinese Buddhism. One of the positive steps taken by the Nguyen lords in developing Buddhism was inviting high-ranking monks from China to establish ordination ceremonies and transmit teachings. Therefore, Thuan Quang Buddhism experienced a profound blend and transformation. In the 17th and 18th centuries, five major Zen schools were present in Thuan Quang: the Truc Lam Yen Tu school, the Cao Dong school, the Lam Te school, and notably, two indigenous schools that originated right in Thuan Quang: the Lieu Quan school and the Chuc Thanh school.
The various Zen schools interacted strongly, creating a unique character for Buddhism in Thuan Quang. Thuan Quang Buddhism held a significant position in the development of Vietnamese Buddhism. It served as both a gateway for the flow of Vietnamese Buddhism from the North and as the source of Buddhist development in southern Thuan Quang.
It was this development that gave Buddhism a significant influence on the cultural and literary life of Thuan Quang. Thuan Quang had a prominent Buddhist literary tradition, contributing to the development of the Thuan Quang literary region. At the same time, Thuan Quang Buddhist literature continued the flow and perfected the foundation of Vietnamese Buddhist literature.
The creative forces, genre systems, linguistic writing, and themes reflected have shaped the face of Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang during the 17th and 18th centuries. Thuan Quang Buddhist literature shares commonalities with medieval literature, while also possessing fundamental unique characteristics of Buddhist literature.
The literary forces of Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang during the 17th and 18th centuries, besides Zen masters and monks, also included Confucian scholars, officials, the Nguyen lords, and their relatives. Significantly, Buddhist authors were also the core creative force of literature in the Thuan Quang region. This is easily understood because the Nguyen lords' policy of prioritizing the development of Buddhism created a strong influence of Buddhism on the literary creative forces of this period.
In terms of genre, Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th and 18th centuries basically encompassed all the genres of Buddhist literature from the preceding period. A prominent feature of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature is the development of the "vow" genre. While the "vow" genre was merely an addition to the literature of Dang Ngoai (Northern Vietnam) in general, and Buddhist literature of Dang Ngoai in particular, Thuan Quang Buddhist literature prioritized this genre in its creations. This genre dominated the total number of works, with each work being substantial in length and covering diverse themes. This is the first highlight that creates the unique character of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature.
In terms of written language, besides the use of Chinese characters, the Nôm script was used more frequently in literary works. Buddhist vocabulary and allusions were Vietnamized. This contributed to the brilliant development of national literary genres.
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang possesses many distinct and easily recognizable characteristics of a literature created under the direct influence of Buddhist thought. Thuan Quang Buddhist literature has integrated the ideas of various sects, creating intellectual diversity. In particular, the concept of "abiding by Confucianism and admiring Buddhism," a policy advocated by the Nguyen lords, greatly influenced the lives of the inhabitants of Thuan Quang in particular and Dang Trong in general. This is the second highlight of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature. Furthermore, Thuan Quang Buddhist literature fulfilled its role in conveying Buddhist doctrines, perspectives on practice, and engagement with the world. It can be seen that the issue of engagement with the world in Buddhist literature during the Ly and Tran dynasties was concretized through literary characters. The image of the monk in...Monk and Nunof Nguyen Cu Trinh or the image of Dong Ong inThe story of Hứa Sử is a short tale.The image of Zen master Toan Nhat Quang Dai carries profound meaning, affirming the engaged spirit of Vietnamese Buddhism in building and developing society. If Dao Duy Tu is considered the creator of the image of a hero in times of turmoil, serving a wise ruler and saving lives, then the image of the monk who actively engages with the world in Thuan Quang Buddhist literature is a distinctive feature.
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang reflects a liberal spirit in its poetic and Zen perspectives. This openness and creative spirit, breaking free from established patterns, was forged by a community of pioneers who settled in a vast land blessed with abundant natural resources. As we have mentioned, this liberal approach to Vietnamizing Buddhist terminology in literature was not due to a lack of experience in a new land, but rather an affirmation of Vietnamese Buddhism. The authors seemed to want to break free from the influence of Chinese Buddhism. The formal and linguistic patterns of Thuan Quang Buddhist literature underwent a significant transformation, affirming the conscious effort to build a foundation for Vietnamese Buddhism and Buddhist literature.
Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang, during its development, tended to portray life in its literary works. This made literary life there more vibrant and rich. While the Northern region developed narratives about the lives of eminent monks and enlightened Zen masters, the literary genre of Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang expanded its scope. It presented a deeper and more diverse range of aspects of life, as well as the study and practice of Buddhism. The performance function of the genre made Buddhist literary works in Thuan Quang more accessible, lively, and easier to understand.
Although primarily a religious literature, it had a significant impact on the creation and development of literature in the Thuan Quang region. Buddhist literature in Thuan Quang played a major role in shaping the literary and cultural landscape of the region. Simultaneously, it transferred the values of earlier Buddhist literature from the North, creating a continuous integration of Vietnamese Buddhist literature into the literary regions of Gia Dinh and Ha Tien.
If we consider the development of Buddhism in Thuan Quang under the Nguyen lords as similar to that of the Ly-Tran dynasties, then the Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang is a remarkable repetition of the Buddhist literature of the Ly-Tran dynasties. The development here is not about the quantity or quality of works, but rather the position of this literary movement within the overall landscape and characteristics of Thuan Quang literature.
The establishment and development of the Thuan Quang region played a crucial role in Vietnamese history, contributing to the expansion and fundamental completion of the map of Vietnam today. In the field of literature, Thuan Quang literature played a role in the transformation and transition of Vietnamese literature, serving as a bridge unifying the flow of Vietnamese literature throughout the territory. The development of Thuan Quang literature filled the long-standing gap in the history of Vietnamese literary development.
Similarly, Buddhist literature from Thuan Quang played a role in the continuous and uninterrupted development of Vietnamese Buddhist literature. It can be affirmed that Buddhist literature from Thuan Quang in the 17th and 18th centuries holds an important position in the history of Vietnamese Buddhist literature in particular and Vietnamese literature in general.
LIST OF ARTICLES RELATED TO THE THESIS TOPIC
1. Thich Chan Dao (Phan Thanh) (2018), “Buddhism and the Thuan Quang literary region in the 17th-18th centuries”, InProceedings of the Conference on Buddhist Science and Literature in Binh Dinh, Volume 2 - Buddhist Literature in Binh Dinh - Literature of Binh Dinh, Social Sciences Publishing House, pp. 50-67.
2. Phan Thanh (2018), “The imprint of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen school in the Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th centuries”, InTran Nhan Tong and Truc Lam Buddhism - Distinctive Features of Thought and Culture, Tran Nhan Tong Institute, Hanoi National University Publishing House, pp. 957-969.
3. Phan Thanh (2019), “Nguyen Cu Trinh's views and attitudes towards Buddhism”, In inProceedings of the East Asia International Conference: Issues in Linguistics Research and Education, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Culture and Arts Publishing House, pp. 345-351.
4. Phan Thanh (2019), “Conceptions of poetics and Zen Buddhism in Thuan Quang Buddhist literature of the 17th-18th centuries”,Giac Ngo Monthly Magazine, No. 285, 12/2019, pp. 39-44.
5. Phan Thanh (2019), “The Development of Buddhism in Thuan Quang Region in the 17th-18th Centuries”, Proceedings of the Scientific Conference:Buddhism in Quang Binh, past and present., pp. 120-131.
6. Phan Thanh (2020), “The image of the character Dong Yun in “Xu Shi's Tale” by Zen master Toan Nhat Quang Dai”,Willow PavilionIssue No. 20, May 2020, Thuan Hoa Publishing House, Hue.
7. Phan Thanh (2020), “Trends towards realism in Buddhist literature of Thuan Quang in the 17th-18th centuries”,Quang Land MagazineIssue 194, June 2020.
8. Phan Thanh (2020), “Understanding the genre of prose in the works of Zen master Toan Nhat Quang Dai”,Journal of Science and Technology, University of Science - Hue University.
9. Phan Thanh (2020), “The impact of regional and international factors on the literature of Thuan Quang region in the 17th-18th centuries”,Hue University Journal of Science, Vol. 129, No. 6D (2020): Vietnamese Social Sciences and Humanities.
Author:ussh
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