Acculturating of Indian Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism and Creating of Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Buddhism of Dai Viet

Abstract

The Buddhism had been introduced into Vietnam around the beginning of the First Century AD by the Indian monks and in the late of the 2nd century, Luy Lau (Dau) already became an influential Buddhist center. From Luy Lau, the Giao Chau Buddhism was introduced to Kien Nghiep (Xienzie), the capital of Southern China under the Ngo time. The Indian Buddhism was also introduced to Jinkiang, and Tibet during the Han time. In Sui and Tang periods, while the Buddhism reached its peak in China, the two Zen sects of the Chinese Buddhism were then introduced into Vietnam. The first sect is entered in the 6th century by Tinidaluuchi (Vintaruci) - a monk of Indian origin, follower of Tang Xan, its center was the Phap Van Temple (in Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh). The second sect is introduced in the 9th century by Vo Ngon Xuyen, the center was situated at Kien So Temple (Phu Dong, Gia Lam, Ha Noi). After entering Vietnam, both sects were passed over many generations and transitions, the Vietnamese Buddhism manifested itself a Vietnamese respiration, marked by a rise of a new sect - Thao Duong sect founded by Thao Duong Buddhist. Until founding of Truc Lam Yen Tu sect in the 13th century and further developed and thrived in the early of 14th century, the Buddhism in the Tran time revealed its nature in process of acquirement, transformation, and creating of the exotic Zen Buddhism, bequeathed profoundly in the history of Vietnamese thought.