National Master Khuong Viet and Vietnamese Buddhism

To commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the passing of National Master Khuong Viet, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, in collaboration with the Buddhist Academy and the Vietnam Buddhist Association, organized a scientific conference entitled "National Master Khuong Viet and Vietnamese Buddhism in the early era of independence," which opened on the morning of March 18, 2011.The conference was attended by Venerable Thich Thanh Tu - Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Professor Vu Minh Giang - Vice Director of Hanoi National University, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, along with domestic and international scientists, venerable monks, senior monks, and monastic students. The conference focused on discussing and analyzing the political, economic, ideological, cultural, and religious context of Vietnam at the beginning of the independence era and the contributions of Buddhism to the nation-building and national independence protection. The conference paid particular attention to the contributions of National Master Khuong Viet - a prime minister, politician, military leader, and diplomat - to the growth of Buddhism and the country in the early period of independence. At the plenary session, Venerable Thich Duc Nghiep (Central Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha) presented a paper entitled "Zen Master Khuong Viet and the Vietnamese Nation and Buddhism," outlining the background of National Master Khuong Viet. According to the book Thien Uyen Tap Anh, he was from Cat Loi village, of the Ngo family, a descendant of Ngo Thuan De (Ngo Quyen), and his name was Ngo Chan Luu. His ascetic lifestyle and his contributions to nation-building and Buddhism were also clearly described through archival documents and materials. Following this, presentations by Associate Professor Dr. Lam Ba Nam and Associate Professor Dr. Vu Thi Phung (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) emphasized "Great Master Khuong Viet – a symbol of engaged Buddhism and national affairs," showing that Ngo Chan Luu was a symbol of the process of Buddhism's introduction into Vietnam and its integration with the national cultural flow. With his political acumen and profound knowledge, he absorbed Buddhist elements and participated in national affairs. Following the plenary session, the conference was divided into two subcommittees: Subcommittee 1, themed "National Master Khuong Viet: His Era, Life, Career, and Contributions." The main topics discussed included historical, cultural, ideological, Buddhist, economic, political, linguistic, and ethnic issues before the 10th century; the relationship between Buddhism and Buddhist ideology with other religions and religious ideologies; the life and contributions of Master Khuong Viet as the National Master and Supreme Patriarch, cultural figure, politician, military leader, and diplomat under the Dinh and Le dynasties; and the contributions of Zen masters and Buddhist forces, Buddhist thought, and Buddhist culture in the early stages of consolidating national unity, building and developing the national feudal state, and shaping the appearance and foundation of Thang Long Culture – Dai Viet Civilization during the Ly and Tran dynasties. Subcommittee 2, themed "Vietnamese Buddhism: Tradition and Modernity," focused on the following main topics: the process of adaptation and transformation of Vietnamese Buddhism throughout history; the contributions of Vietnamese Buddhism in the fields of language, culture, thought, philosophy, and lifestyle in historical and modern development; the role of Buddhist cultural heritage in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​in the process of integration and development; and modern Vietnamese Buddhism: applying and promoting historical lessons in new conditions, contributing to strengthening national unity, building a new culture, and a new, advanced lifestyle rich in national cultural identity. Following the conference, a grand ceremony commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of the passing of National Master Khuong Viet was solemnly held on March 19th at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy (Soc Son, Hanoi).