Some major features of the process of introduction and development of Buddhism in Ha Tinh

Abstract

Buddhism in Ha Tinh has undergone a long process of emergence and development. From the beginning, under the reign of Hung Vuong, Quynh Vien mountain in Ha Tinh was recognized as one of the first places where Buddhism spread into Vietnam. The movement is associated with the legendary story "Chu Dong Tu went to Quynh Vien Mountain and was taught by a Buddhist monk, Phat Quang”. After spreading into Ha Tinh region, Buddhism had a profound impact on people’s material and cultural life. The process of emergence and development of Ha Tinh Buddhism underwent many upheavals. Although Buddhism was spread to this area very early and experienced a long history of development, for different reasons, from the late 20th century, Ha Tinh Buddhism entered a period of regression and faced many challenges. The revival of Buddhism in the densely populated land along the banks of Lam River and Hong Mountain took place later than that in many other provinces and cities in the country. Within the scope of this article, the author presents some general observations on the emergence and development of Ha Tinh Buddhism in thousands of years of national construction and defence of Vietnam, to provide new materials and a new understanding of the history of Buddhism in Vietnam in general, the history of Buddhism in Ha Tinh in particular.