TTLA: Research on the inscriptions of Vietnamese traditional temples

Author's name: Vu Thi Lan Anh

Thesis title:Research on the inscriptions of Vietnamese Tao Le (Creation)

The field of study for this dissertation:

Specialization: Sino-Vietnamese Studies Code: 62.22.01.04

Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and scope of the thesis

ButResearch objectivesThis study examines the emergence and development of Tạo Lệ inscriptions through existing Tạo Lệ stele documents. It presents, for the first time, a general concept of Tạo Lệ and Tạo Lệ stele in Vietnam, with reference to the use of this term in China. The central issues are the history of the origin and development stages of Tạo Lệ stele, and the characteristics of the Tạo Lệ stele genre. The study investigates the Tạo Lệ policies of the Vietnamese state during the medieval period through Tạo Lệ stele inscriptions, including: policy objectives, issues of policy promulgation and implementation, hierarchical management of implementation, and the results of policy implementation. It also examines the impacts of Tạo Lệ policies on several aspects of Vietnamese society during the medieval period, such as economic life, including issues affecting people's livelihoods and agriculture. Regarding socio-cultural aspects, the thesis addresses issues such as honoring historical sites, community cohesion through responsibility for their preservation, information about the history of these sites, the biographies of meritorious individuals, the role of women in the granting of Tao Le titles, etc. Finally, the thesis proposes some ideas on the preservation and restoration of historical sites that have been granted Tao Le titles in contemporary life.

ButResearch subjectsThe rubbings of Sino-Vietnamese stele texts containing records about the Tao Le (Tao Le stele texts) from the early 17th century to the mid-19th century are currently stored in the Vietnam National Archives. According to our investigation and survey, there are 90 stele texts with 187 rubbings.

2. Research methods used

- Methods of studying Sino-Vietnamese texts

- Quantitative statistical methods

- Hermeneutics

- Interdisciplinary research method

- Field survey method

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- An overview of the research situation in Vietnam and abroad on the issue of Tao Le and Tao Le inscriptions.

- This dissertation systematically studies the development history and characteristics of Vietnamese traditional inscriptions.

- Studying the State's Law-Making Policy in the medieval period through the content of the Law-Making stele inscriptions.

- The role of the Creation of Regulations policy on various aspects of society as depicted in the Creation of Regulations stele.

3.2. Conclusion

- The dissertation provided an overview of the research situation on Vietnamese Han Nom inscriptions in general, and research on the issue of Tao Le and Tao Le inscriptions in particular. The dissertation introduced the concepts of Tao Le and Tao Le inscriptions, systematically, comprehensively, and profoundly orienting the research topic to encompass the entire collection of rubbings of Vietnamese Tao Le inscriptions currently stored at the Institute of Han Nom Studies (VNCHN).

- The Tạo Lệ stele was formed and originated from a religious custom within the monarchy of medieval Vietnam, through imperial decrees, edicts, etc., issued by the court to local historical sites. These sites are largely associated with ancestral emperors, benevolent deities, meritorious individuals, and relatives of the court, etc. Based on rubbings of stele inscriptions collected by the French School of Far Eastern Studies in Hanoi (EFEO) and the Vietnam National Institute of Archaeology in Hanoi (VNCHN), this thesis has cataloged 90 units of Tạo Lệ stele symbols with 187 rubbings, appearing in the 17th-19th centuries, mainly distributed in 13 provinces from Nghe An northward, with a high concentration in the provinces of the Northern Delta. Tạo Lệ stele inscriptions are mainly found in temples, shrines, palaces, communal houses, tombs, ancestral halls, etc. Chinese characters are primarily used on these steles. Nôm characters were carved alongside Chinese characters. Six types of taboo characters appear on the Tạo Lệ stele.

- The Tạo Lệ inscription clearly reflects the state's management methods for historical sites, including the forms, documents, procedures, and recipients of Tạo Lệ grants, as well as the role of the bureaucracy in this granting process. Furthermore, it highlights the uniformity in the management and exploitation of these sites, emphasizing the responsibility of local authorities and the regulations governing worship practices for the Tạo Lệ people. From this, we can draw conclusions about the results of policy implementation, including both positive aspects and some limitations that have arisen and persisted throughout the various dynasties.

- The Tạo Lệ inscription reflects the role of Tạo Lệ policies in various aspects of Vietnamese society during the 17th and 19th centuries. It highlights economic benefits such as tax exemptions, provisions related to people's livelihoods, agricultural privileges like land ownership through Tạo Lệ, and issues related to dikes and irrigation. In addition, it strongly reflects socio-cultural life through cultural activities that honor historical sites, the cohesion of individuals and groups within each community, information about the history of the sites, the deeds of meritorious individuals, and the role of women in the Tạo Lệ system. These are very significant documents contributing to the study of the socio-cultural life of different social classes in Vietnamese villages and communes during the medieval period.

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name: Vũ Thị Lan Anh

Thesis title: On researching Zaoli inscriptions in Vietnam

Scientific branch of the thesis:Sino-Nom

Major:Sino-NomCode:62 22 01 04

The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University - Hanoi

OnBillZaoliinscriptionsin Vietnam

1. Thesis purpose and objectives

ButThesis purpose: Through the remaining documentation of Zaoli inscriptions, to research on the appearance and development of Zaoli inscriptions. Firstly to provide the general concept of Zaoli and Zaoli inscriptions in Vietnam with reference to the way of using this term in China. The aspects of research are the appearance history, development stages of Zaoli inscriptions and characteristics of Zaoli inscription category. To research Zaoli policies of the medieval State of Vietnam through Zaoli inscriptions such as policy objectives, issues of policy issue and implementation, implementation management decentralization, results of policy implementation. To research the role of Zaoli policies to certain social aspects of Vietnam between early 17^thcentury and mid-19^thcentury through Zaoli inscription documentation, for example, regarding to economic life, issues affecting the people's livelihood and the agriculture; regarding to social culture, issues of honoring relics, communication cohesion through responsibilities for caring relics, information on relics history, biographies of people with merit, roles of women to Zaoli subsidies, etc. Finally, to give some suggestions for preservation and restoration of Zaoli relics in the contemporary life.

ButThesis objectives: Sino – Nom inscriptions of Zaoli (Zaoli inscriptions) between early 17^thcentury and mid-19^thcentury are currently archived in the Institute of Sino-Nom Studies. According to our investigations and surveys, there are 90 units of inscription with 187 sides.

2. Used research methods

- Textology for Sino-Nom studies method

- Quantitative statistical method

- Hermeneutical method

- Interdisciplinary research method

- Field survey method

3. Major results and conclusions

3.1. Major results

- Overview of the internal and external research on Zaoli and Zaoli inscriptions in Vietnam.

- Researching scientifically the development history and characteristics of Zaoli inscriptions in Vietnam.

- Researching Zaoli policies of the medieval State through the content of Zaoli inscriptions.

- Roles of Zaoli policies to social aspects through Zaoli inscriptions.

3.2. Conclusions

- The thesis gives an overview of researching Sino – Nom inscriptions in Vietnam generally and researches on Zaoli and Zaoli inscriptions particularly. The thesis gives the concept of Zaoli and Zaoli inscriptions, systemetic, comprehensive and deep research orientation for the thesis topic on the entire volume of Zaoli inscriptions in Vietnam currently archived in the Institute of Sino-Nom Studies.

- Zaoli inscriptions were formed and appeared on the basis of apperance of a worship rule in the medieval monarchy of Vietnam, through royal ordinances and orders, etc. issued by the court to local relics. Relics are mainly associated with the late emperors, gods, people with merit, and relatives of the court, etc. Based on the inscriptions collected by the École française d'Extrême-Orient (referred to EFEO) and the Institute of Sino-Nom Studies currently archived in the Institute of Sino-Nom Studies, the thesis provides statistics of 90 symbol units of Zaoli inscription with 187 sides, appeared between 17^thcentury and 19^thcentury, allocating mainly in 13 provinces from Nghe An to the North, mainly concentrating in the provinces of the Northern Delta. Zaoli inscriptions were mainly created and built up in the relics of pagodas, temples, shrines, sanctuaries, communal houses, tombs, and ancestral temples, etc. Chinese characters were mainly used on inscriptions. Nom characters were engraved with Chinese characters. There is no Zaoli inscription written with Nom script.

- Zaoli inscriptions clearly reflect the state management method to relics including the aspects such as form, writing, procedure, objects with Zaoli granted, role of the state machinery to such grant. Following is the unity in relic management and exploitation, especially responsibilities of the local authority, charters of worship to Zaoli people. Then, to draw results of policy implementation including positive highlights and certain limits arising during the charter implementation over the dynasties.

- Zaoli inscriptions reflect the role of Zaoli policies to social aspects of Vietnam between 17^thcentury and mid-19^thcentury in which remarkable economic benefits with interests for Zaoli people, such as tax exemption for items relating to the people's livelihood, agricultural privileges (land and field ownership through Zaoli, and irrigation dike problems, etc.). Besides, to reflect the sociocultural life in the aspects such as cultural activities to express the honor for relics, the cohesion of individuals and groups in community, information on relic history, biographies of people with merit, roles of women to Zaoli subsidies, etc. It is possible to affirm that Zaoli inscriptions are meaningful documentations to contribute to researches on the sociocultural life of the social segments in wards amd communes of medieval Vietnam.