Nom script and Confucian classics

The scientific conference on the theme "Nom Script and Confucian Classics," organized by the Center for Chinese Studies (University of Social Sciences and Humanities), took place on August 24th.The conference was attended by researchers from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Institute of Han Nom Studies, and others. The workshop focused on clarifying several aspects and issues related to the reception, attitudes towards, and localization process of Confucian classics by Vietnamese Confucian scholars. In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son, Vice Rector of the University and Director of the Center for Chinese Studies, emphasized: Based on the observation of numerous Han Nom texts containing Confucian content, many of which exist in a mixed form using both Han and Nom scripts, with diverse and complex content, methods, and objectives, several research issues arise: Is Nom script a product of the maturation process of Vietnamese culture within the broader cultural exchange and development of East Asian countries? The emergence of Nôm script strongly promoted the development of Vietnamese thought, culture, and literature during the ancient and medieval periods. Therefore, from the perspective of receiving and localizing Confucian classics in particular, and Confucianism in general in Vietnam, what role did Nôm script play? What are the noteworthy characteristics of the system of Sino-Vietnamese classical texts that are still preserved today? What are the special issues regarding Nôm script, the translation, annotation, phonetic interpretation, and explanation of Sino-Vietnamese texts? Do these issues fall within the general laws of development of East Asian Confucianism and the laws of development of Vietnamese culture and thought?... The main content of the report presented at the conference is case studies of works using Nôm script to discuss, interpret, and translate Confucian classics, such as: "Nôm script and the reception of Confucian classics – Through the case of the Book of Poetry" – Prof. Tran Nghia (Institute of Han Nom Studies), "The I Ching Commentary in Verse in the Process of Translating the I Ching into Nom Texts during the Medieval Period" - PhD. Nguyen Thanh Tung (Faculty of Literature, Hanoi Pedagogical University), “Readers of the Book of Poetry in Vietnam (through a survey of Nôm translations of the Book of Poetry)” – MSc. Pham Anh Sao (Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities), “The I Ching in Vernacular: From the reception of the I Ching by Cheng-Zhu to the experimentation of the I Ching philosophy by Dang Thai Bang” – MSc. Bui Ba Quan (Center for Chinese Studies – University of Social Sciences and Humanities)… In addition, there are other studies on issues related to the reception of Confucianism in Vietnam in general: “Living Language for Living Thought” – author Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Khoai (Faculty of Literature – University of Social Sciences and Humanities) or research on the general issue of the work of translating Confucian classics into Nôm: The activity of translating Confucian classics into Han-Nôm by Vietnamese Confucian scholars – analysis from the perspective of goals and nature – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son… In recent years, the Center for Chinese Studies has organized scientific conferences focusing on The theme "Confucianism and East Asian Culture" is explored through specific research directions such as: "Confucian Classics in Vietnam" (conference held in 2009), "Zhu Xi and East Asian Confucianism" (conference held in 2010), and this conference "Nom Script and Confucian Classics" which continues to develop specific research. All of these studies are undertaken to integrate the study of Confucianism in Vietnam with the world.