Summary

 

A- Introduction: After division of Indian Buddhism into Northern/Mahayana and Southern/Hinayana, the biggest & most important country nurturing & spreading Mahayana is China. 

B- Main Subject:

1- Beginning Period: Chinese in the West have practiced Buddhism before long; historically though, Han Ming-ti (漢明帝 Hán Minh Đế) in 67 BC sent emissaries to Yuezhi (月氏 Nguyệt Chi = Tocharians) bringing back Dharmaraksa (Trúc Pháp Lan) & Kasyapa Matanga (Ca Diếp Ma Đằng) along with 16 sutras & Sutra of 42 sections, lodged in White Horse temple (白馬寺 Bạch Mã Tự) at Luoyang (Lạc Dương) capital. In 148 BC, An Shih Kao (安世高 An Thế Cao) from Parthia (Iran) established in Luoyang a translation bureau translating 35 texts from different Buddhist schools.

2- The Expanding Periods: 4

1- First period, from the 3 Kingdoms to Western Jin: 3^rd – 4^th centuries AD, K’ang-Seng-Hui  (康僧會 Khương Tăng Hội) in Wu (吳 Ngô), Dharmakala  in Wei (魏 Ngụy), Chu Shih Hsing (朱士行 Chu Sĩ Hàng) in Shu (蜀 Thục). Later, Kumarajiva in Jin (晉 Tấn).

2- Second Period, Southern & Northern Dynasties: (南北朝Nam Bắc Triều) 5^th & 6^th centuries. Bodhidharma, Liang Wu Ti…

3- Third Period, Tang dynasty: (唐Đường) 7^th to 9^th centuries. Xuan Zang (玄奘 Huyền Trang) translated 1500 books, I Ching (義淨 Nghĩa Tịnh) brought 400 translated texts, empress Wu…

4- Fourth Period, Ming dynasty: (明 Minh) 14^th to 17^th centuries. Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋 Chu Nguyên Chương) founder was Buddhist novice, promoted & regulated Buddhist organization.. Later, Qing (清 Thanh) also Buddhist but more superstitious & lamaist.

3- The Periods of Persecution: also 4 (“three Wu, one Chu” tam Võ nhất Chu)

1- First period, Wu Ti of Wei: 446, exterminated monks, destroyed temples.

2- Second Period, Wu Ti of Zhou: 574, monks disrobed, temples transformed into offices.

3- Third Period, Wu Zong (武宗 Võ Tôn) of Tang: 845, followed Taoism, disrobed > 265,000 monks, melted copper bell to make money.

4- Fourth Period, Shi Zong (世宗 Thế Tông) of Later Zhou (Hậu Chu): 954-959, destryed 30,000 temples, burned sutras, melted bells/statues.

4- Six Chinese Patriarchs of Zen: Bodhidharma (菩提達磨 Bồ Đề Đạt Ma 470-543), Huìkě (慧可Huệ Khả 487-593), Sēngcàn (僧璨 Tăng Xán ?-606), Dàoxìn (道信Đạo Tín 580-651), Huìnéng (慧能 Huệ Năng 638-713) promoted Zen Buddhism. 

C- Conclusion: foreign to China, Buddhism spread due to adaptation; rised & fallen with impermanence, although intrinsic reasons were important.

 Lesson 3: History of Buddhism in Viet Nam, until Lý dynasty, explained by Minh-Quang Nguyễn Lê Đức on Sunday May 4, 2008, at 10am, at Chùa Hải-Đức, Jacksonville, Florida. mp3 stereo, 25MB, 55 min.

 

Summary

 

A- Introduction: Buddhism has been present in Viet Nam nearly as long as in China; in fact, it has also moved up & down with secular history, although never been eradicated completely.

B- Main Subject:

1- Buddhism Started to Enter Viet Nam:

1- Roads of entrance: crossroad of India & China. From the South Sea Mahajivaka (Ma Ha Kỳ Vực摩羅耆域), Sanghapala (Khương Tăng Hội康僧會), Kalaruci (Chi Cương Lương [Tiếp] 支僵良). From China, Mâu Bác牟博 wrote Lý-hoặc-luận 理惑論. Later, mostly North.

2- First Period of Entrance: Mâu Bác during Hán was first, then Khương Tăng Hội, lastly Ma Ha Kỳ Vực & Chi Cương Lương in 3^rd century.

3- Schools admitted: all Chinese schools, although Thiền (Zen) was the first & strongest school admitted by Vinitaruci (Tỳ Ni Đa Lưu Chi), disciple of 3^rd Chinese patriarch Tăng Xán (Sēngcàn僧璨) in 580. During Tang (820), Vô Ngôn Thông (無言通) transmitted the wall gazing method; then Thảo Đường, Tào Động, Lâm Tế… progressively.

2- Buddhism under Lý Nam Đế (571-602) & First Occupation (603-939): flourishing

1- First period: Pháp Hiển, disciple of Vinitaruci spread Buddhism into the mass.

2- Second Period, influence of 3 missionaries: during Tang

1- Minh Viễn, Huệ Mạnh & Vô Hành, from China.

2- Đàm Nhuận, Trí Hoàng from China, Tăng Già Bạt Ma (Sanghavarman) from India.

3- Pilgrims from Viet Nam to India: Vân Kỳ, Mộc Xoa Đề Bà, Khuy Sung, Huệ Diệm, Trí Hành, Đại Thặng Đăng.

3- Third Period, Vô Ngôn Thông (?-826): from Quảng Châu (Guǎngzhōu 廣州), learned with Bách Trượng (bǎizhàng 百丈), went to VN 820 Kiến Sơ temple at Phù Đổng (Bắc Ninh), sitting facing wall. Disciple Cảm Thành, then Thiện Hội…

3- Buddhism under Đinh & Lê (968-1009):

1- Overview: most prosperous period for Buddhism. Ngô Chân Lưu (吳真流) became Buddhist Pope Khuông Việt (匡越 933-1011). During Lê, appropiation of Đại Tạng Kinh (Tripitaka) from China.

2- Khuông Việt Supreme Master: 4^th patriarch of Vô Ngôn Thông, disciple of Vân Phong, stayed at Phật Đà temple. At 40 yo, summoned by Đinh Tiên Hoàng, bestowed Pope title; next year, granted Khuông Việt Supreme Master title. Under Lê, he was also respected, died after transmission to Đa Bảo.

3- Đỗ Thuận: unknown origin, disciple of Long Thọ Phù Trì, called Master Đỗ by king Lê Đại Hành, was his advisor. Died at 76 yo, he was the 10^th patriarch of Vinitaruci branch.

4- General Observation: Buddhism under Đinh & Lê was prosperous because the monks were learned scholars (to read sutras) as well as virtuous, respected by all.

4- Buddhism under Lý dynasty (1010-1225):

1- Under Lý Thái Tổ:

1- Buddhism under his reign: born Lý Công Uẩn, adopted by monk Lý Khánh Vân from Cổ Pháp temple, studied with Vạn Hạnh monk. Being Buddhist, he favored Buddhism, sent emissaries to China for sutras. Most notable monks: Vạn Hạnh, Đa Bảo, Sùng Phạm, all belonged to Vinitaruci & Vô Ngôn Thông branches.

2- Vạn Hạnh master: family name Nguyễn, from Cổ Pháp village, took vows of monkhood at 20 yo with Thiền Ông, of Vinitaruci lineage, specialized in Dharani Samadhi. His poems were taken as predictions. He died in 1018 without disease.

2- Under Lý Thái Tôn (1028-1054):

1- Buddhism under his reign: fervent Buddhist, he built 95 temples, received Tripitaka from Sung emissaries, studied with Thiền Lão, calling himself disciple of 7^th generation of Vô Ngôn Thông. Many renowed masters: Huệ Linh, Định Lương, Thiền Lão…

2- Huệ Linh master: born Lâm Khu from Đông Phù Liệt (Hà Đông), fluenced in both Buddhism & Confucianism. At 70 yo, learned with Định Huệ master, then practiced Thiền, called “living Buddha” by the public. Advised to king & officials. Died 1063.

3- Thiền Lão master: disciple of Đa Bảo, stayed at Trùng Minh temple in Tiên Du. Later, stayed at Từ Sơn, taught thousands of disciples.

3- Under Lý Thánh Tôn (1054-1075):

1- Buddhism under his reign: fervent Buddhist, changed country name to Đại Việt, built temple with a 12,000 lbs bronze bell at Báo Thiên (Hà Nội). Thảo Đường branch started under him, which was the 3^rd Thiền branch in Viet Nam.

2- Thảo Đường branch: Thảo Đường was a Chinese monk, disciple of Tuyết Đậu (xuědòu 雪竇 980-1052), went to Champa, was taken prisoner by VN soldiers. Allowed to start the Thảo Đường branch.

4- Under Lý Nhân Tôn (1072-1127):

1- Buddhism under his reign: also a fervent Buddhist, he appointed Khô Đầu master as National Teacher. The queen was also active in supporting, building more tham 100 temples. There were great masters like Viên Chiếu, Ngộ Ân authoring many books.

2- Viên Chiếu master: born Mai Trực from Long Đàm, nephew of Thái Tôn queen. Disciple of Định Hương; later went to stay at a temple in east bank of Thăng Long, taught many people. Died in 1090 at 92 yo.

5- Under Lý Thần Tôn (1128-1138): nephew of Lý Nhân Tôn (without descendant), he was sick, cured by Minh Không so appointed him National Teacher and built Linh Cảm temple. There were many renowed monks like Minh Không, Thông Biện, Bảo Giám, and especially Diệu Nhân nun, disciple of Chân Không master, being first nun of Vinitaruci lineage.

6- Under the latter kings:

1- Lý Anh Tôn (1138-1175): disciple of Thảo Đường lineage. Most renowed monks: Trí Thuyền, Am Trí, Bảo Giám, and Viên Thông who was appointed National Teacher in 1143.

2- Lý Cao Tôn (1176-1210): enthroned at 3 yo, controlled by Hồ Hiến Hành. He studied with Trương Tam Tạng master of Thảo Đường lineage. In decadence with political power.

3- Lý Huệ Tôn (1211-1226): usurped by Trần Thủ Độ, abdicated to 7 yo daughter Lý Chiêu Hoàng for monkhood at Chân Giáo temple in 1224 calling himself Huệ Quang master; forced to suicide by hanging in 1226.

7- General View of Buddhism under Lý dynasty:

If Buddhism had the most prosperous time during the Tang dynasty in China, it also had the same under Lý dynasty in Viet Nam. For more than 200 years, Buddhism had the utmost position in every aspects: moral, literature, politic due to support from government & presence of great monks.

 

 

  Lesson 4: History of Buddhism in Viet Nam, from Trần to Nguyễn dynasty, explained by Minh-Quang Nguyễn Lê Đức on Sunday May 18, 2008, at 10am, at Chùa Hải-Đức, Jacksonville, Florida. mp3 stereo, 23MB, 50 min.

 

Summary

 

 

5- Buddhism under Trần dynasty (1225-1400):

1- Overview of Buddhism during Trần dynasty: Inheriting advances under Lý dynasty, the first Trần kings, being learned & practicing Buddhists, helped further development of Buddhism during first 50 so years, then stopped & pushed back, 2 reasons: 1- competition of Confucianists & resulting laicization of Buddhists. 2- decadence due to esotericism & formation of monk-soldier during Phế Đế (1381).

2- Most influential Trần kings in Buddhist propagation:

1- Trần Thái Tôn (1225-1258): born Trần Cảnh, fervent Buddhist, built temples, wrote some books, esp Thiền Tông Chỉ Nam (Vade Maecum for Dhyana) & Khóa Hư Lục (Instruction on Emptiness).

2- Trần Nhân Tôn (1278-1293): 3^rd Trần king, abdicated after defeating Mongols, went to Yên Tử mountain, founder of Trúc Lâm school, built temples, gave Dharma talks & medicine, trasmitted to Pháp Loa, died at Ngọc Vân temple.

3- Trần Anh Tôn (1293-1314): 4^th Trần king, disciple of Pháp Loa, fervent Buddhist like his father, brought Tripitaka from China, organized ceremonies & food distribution.

3- Trúc Lâm Yên Tử & its monks:

1- Tuệ Trung Thượng Sĩ: born Trần Quốc Toản, son of Hưng Đạo Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn, fought against Mongols, then retired as disciple of Tiêu Giáo, last patriarch of Vô Ngôn Thông. Respected by Thánh Tôn who entrusted Nhân Tôn to him.

2- Trần Nhân Tôn, 1^st patriarch of Trúc Lâm, aka Điều Ngự Giác Hoàng.

3- Pháp Loa master: 2^nd patriarch, from Hải Dương. At 21, met Nhân Tôn, became disciple. At 25, gave talk at Siêu Loại temple, then was bestowed Yên Tử temple & its sangha. Built 1,300 statues, 5 stupas, 200 monasteries, certified 15,000 monks, wrote 2 books.

4- Huyền Quang master: 3^rd patriarch, born in Bắc Giang, ugly, but smart, became official through exam; retired, became disciple of Pháp Loa; gave talks, built temples.

6- Buddhism under Hồ (1400-1407) & Later Lê (1428-1527) dynasties: darkest period of VN Buddhism due to progressive decline from last Trần kings throught later Lê. After short reign of Hồ, the Chinese Minh invaded, destroyed books & temples, promoted Taoism, esoteric Buddhism & Confucianism, which were picked up during later Lê.

7- Buddhism during the North & South division (1528-1802): later Lê queen Chiêu Hoàng was usurped by Mạc family. The Lê ran South for protection of Trịnh overlords who chased Nguyễn overlords further South. When relatively settled, these overlords both took Buddhism as official religion & competed for monks & building new temples. In the meantime, China was also in turmoil, many monks left & came settle in VN.

1- Buddhism under Trịnh overlords:

Under Lê Thế tôn (1573-1599), Chinese monk Thông Giác Thuỷ Nguyệt (1636-1704) learned from Nhất Cú Tri Giáo transmitted Tào Động (cáo-dòng 曹洞) school to Hòe Nhai temple. Under Lê Hy Tôn (1676-1705), Chinese monks Lâm Giác & Nguyệt Quang transmitted the Lâm Tế (ínjì 臨濟) to Liên Phái & Kiến An.

Trịnh overlords also requested Chinese Tripitaka, built temples, also welcomed Hương Hải master who was big master in Southern Nguyễn overlord country but left for North due to Nguyễn suspicion.

2- Buddhism under Nguyễn overlords:

Fervent Buddhists, Nguyễn overlords favored Buddhist monks, built temples, statues. Many monks were welcomed, especially Chinese.

Nguyên Thiều master, born in Quảng Đông (Canton), took vows at 19 yo, practiced at Bảo Tự temple. In 1665, arrived in Bình Định, built Thập Tháp Di Đà temple, taught disciples, then went to Thuận Hóa building Hà Trung temple, and Huế building Quốc Ân temple. By order of Nguyễn Phúc Tráng (1687-1691), he returned to Canton, brought back Thạch Liêm masters & other monks, many sutras, statues, instruments…

Liễu Quán master, named Lê, from Phú Yên, was orphan of mother at 6 yo, given as disciple of Chinese monk Tế Viên. 7 yrs later, his master died, he went to Bảo Quốc temple in Huế, learned with Chinese Giác Phong master, then Thạch Liêm master. He participated in many precepts platforms, laterly came to Thiên Thai, built Thiền Tôn temple to practice. He died in 1742.

7- Buddhism during the first Nguyễn kings.

During the Tây Sơn, although the kings had reunited the country, they have destroyed many temples, burned sutras, melted statues & bells making weapons.

The first Nguyễn kings tried to revive some temples, but Buddhist influence in the mass has eroded under the invasion of occidental civilization and decadence of monkhood by materialism. Master Thích Mật Thể wrote: “The Sangha in the North still kept relatively the order & precepts; while in the Center many monks got married openly; and the South was worse… most monks only longed for fame, asking for certifications, knowing only to pray, to write amulets, to be servants to officials, wealthy families. Another type was the ones who got detached from society, enjoyed pastime calling it deliverance… So, the temples in the country became individual families, holding nothing of religious communion…” 

C- Conclusion: Buddhism has been present in Viet Nam nearly twenty centuries. During this time, it had rises and falls, mostly parallel to the country. It also stimulated the growth of intelligent & virtuous rulers, and inevitably sank the ruthless & inhuman ones.

Thus, virtuous & tolerant rulers are a blessing for the country.

 

Lesson 6: Buddhist Schools: Vinaya, Pure Land, Zen, explained by Minh-Quang Nguyễn Lê Đức on Sunday June 8, 2008, at 10am, at Chùa Hải-Đức, Jacksonville, Florida. mp3 stereo, 27MB, 59 min.

Summary

 

With development, Buddhism divided in different schools, with characteristics with dharma.

In China, 10 large schools: Hinayana (Kosa Câu Xá, Satyasiddhi Thành Thật), Mahayana (Pure Land Tịnh Độ, Yogacara Pháp Tướng, Mantrayana Mật, Tiantai Thiên Thai, Avatamsaka Hoa Nghiêm, Madhyamika Tam Luận), both (Vinaya Luật, Zen Thiền).   

1- Vinaya School: rather basics for practice, not real school.

1- Formation of School: based on Vinaya (Precepts basket), recited by Upali 80 times. Development into Dharmaguptaka vinaya (luật Tứ Phần) 250/348 rules in China, Japan, Korea, Viet Nam,  Mūlasarvāstivāda vinaya (luật Thập Tụng) 253/364 rules in Tibet, Mongolia, Mahisasaka vinaya (luật Ngũ Phần), Mahasāmghika vinaya (luật Tăng Kỳ) 227/311 in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Camodia, Laos.

2- Characteristics: collection of precepts vowed to be kept by practitioners, prevention of ill doing, helping settling mind, beneficial to all.

3- Types of Precepts: hinayana for self deliverance (95, 8, 10, 250, 348), mahayana for helping sentient beings (Bodhisattva). Prohibition (chỉ trì) to stop evil, eg killing/stealing… , encouragement (tác trì) to promote good, eg practice/retreat…

4- Definitions: name danh (of each precept), type chủng (group of precepts), nature tánh (natural avoidance), appearance tướng (action). Permission khai, prohibition giá, compliance trì, infraction phạm. Natural evil tánh tội (by nature: killing, stealing…), conditioned evil giá tội (from learning).

5- Conclusion: not a school by itself, vinaya is basis for practice of all Buddhists. 

 

2- Pure Land School: Mahayana, easy.

1- Formation of School: based on Amitābha sūtra (kinh A Di Đà), Sukhāvatī-vyūha sūtra (kinh Vô Lượng Thọ), Amitāyurdhyāna sūtra (kinh Quán Vô Lượng Thọ), Pratyutpāsamādhi sūtra (kinh Bát Chu Tam Muội). First Chinese patriarch Huệ Viễn (慧遠), 334~416.

2- Four Pure Lands:

- Realm of eternal rest & light (Thường Tịch Quang Tịnh Độ), abode of Buddhas.

- Realm of real incarnated adornment (Thật Báo Trang Nghiêm Tịnh Độ) of Bodhisattvas.

- Realm of expedient liberation (Phương Tiện Hữu Dư Tịnh Độ) of arhats.

- Realm of commoners & saints cohabitation (Phàm Thánh Đồng Cư Tịnh Độ) of Amita. This is the Western Paradise of most Pure Land practitioners.

3- Three Indispensable Elements to Get Reborn in Pure Land:

- Faith (tín), in Buddha, Dharma, self deliverance.

- Vow (nguyện), to be reborn in Amita’s Pure Land.

- Action (hành), to practice Buddha contemplation by recitation or meditation.

4- Methods of Practice:

- Name recitation (trì danh niệm Phật), saying Amita name, vowing to pass to Sukhavati.

- Meditation recitation (tham cứu niệm Phật), meditating on come/go of recitation.

- Observation of Buddha (quán tướng niệm Phật), observing good characters of Buddha.

- Meditation on Buddha (quán tưởng niệm Phật), seeing Amita Buddha standing in front.

- Realization recitation (thật tướng niệm Phật), realizing true nature.

5- Benefits of Recitation Practice:

- avoid troubles by concentrating on name recitation.

- avoid evil thinking by concentrating on name recitation.

- avoid most diseases by calming nerves, regulating breathing.

- increase intelligence with concentration. Be reborn in Western Paradise.

6- Conclusion: if found good, start to practice right away.

 

3- Zen school:

1- Introduction: based on meditation, from dhyana, both mahayanist & hinayanist. Practiced by Buddha himself. Different methods of meditation (compassion, impurity, causation, breathing, no self, koan …)

2- Types of Meditation:

- non-Buddhist meditation (ngoại đạo thiền), to get miracles, supernatural power, hypnosis, regulating chi, becoming immortal, controlling animals/beings…

- commoner meditation (phàm phu thiền), not transcending 3 realms.

- hinayanist meditation (nhị thừa thiền), for arhat & pratyekabuddha, transcend 3 realms, but progressive, slow, through meditation of five mind steadfasting observation (ngũ đình tâm quán), of nine imaginations (cửu tưởng quán), of four immeasurable minds (tứ vô lượng tâm), of sixteen supreme methods (thập lục đặc thắng), of six wonderful methods (lục diệu pháp môn) …

- mahayanist meditation (đại thừa thiền), 2 large groups:

- Buddha meditation (Như Lai thiền), taught from sutras, usually called samadhi (tam muội): Surangama, Lotus, Recitation, Pratyutpa…

- Patriarch meditation (tổ sư thiền), transmitting from teacher to student through mind seal (tâm ấn) by use of koan or unusual behavior. Lineage from India. Bodhidharma. Five houses: lin-chi (臨濟 Lâm Tế), guī-yǎng (Quy Ngưỡng, combining guīshān 潙山 Quy Sơn & yǎngshān 仰山 Ngưỡng Sơn), cáo-dòng (Tào Động, combining dòngshān 洞山Động Sơn & cáoshān 曹山 Tào Sơn), yúnmén (雲門 Vân Môn), fǎyǎn (法眼 Pháp Nhãn). In VietNam: Vinitarucci, Vô Ngôn, Thảo Đường, Trúc Lâm, Lâm Tế, Liễu Quán.

3- Sutras in Use:

Lankaravata, Surangama, Complete Enlightenment, Platform, Diamond…

Collections: Blue Cliff Records, Gateless Gate, Book of Serenity…