EXPLORING THE PROCESS BY WHICH THIỀN SƯ THANH CAO COLLECTED AND ENGRAVED THE HẢI THƯỢNG Y TÔNG TÂM LĨNH: THROUGH HÁN-NÔM DOCUMENTS

Abstract

The book series Hải Thượng Y Tông Tâm Lĩnh, compiled by Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Lê Hữu Trác in the late 18th century, was originally intended for healing the sick and teaching his students. However, due to the passage of time and the lack of printing, the manuscripts became scattered. By the end of the 19th century, renowned Confucian scholars and Thiền sư Thanh Cao made great efforts to collect and raise funds to print this book series. Today, the woodblocks of Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Y Tông Tâm Lĩnh are recognized as a National Treasure, and the great physician Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Lê Hữu Trác is honored as a World Cultural Celebrity. This article, based on the remaining Han-Nom heritage, conducts research and introduces the contributions of Thiền sư Thanh Cao in collecting medical manuscripts and mobilizing resources to engrave and print the medical texts—a noble act recognized by the Nguyễn Dynasty in the late 19th century, leaving behind a valuable legacy for future generations.