(VOVworld) – Buddhism was introduced in Vietnam in 1^st century BC and is enriching the nation’s spiritual life. But only since the Truc Lam Zen sect was founded by King Tran Nhan Tong in the 13^th century, Vietnamese Buddhism has established its own philosophy and practices, including the idea of entering into life.

The bronze statue of Tran Nhan Tong, founder of Truc Lam Zen sect in Vietnam

In August 1299, King Tran Nhan Tong ceded this throne to his son and retired to lead a religious life as a hermit in Yen Tu mountains. He founded the Truc Lam Zen sect, which reached its climax thanks to the contributions of three most venerable monks including Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Hien Quang. Most venerable Nhan Tong unified previous Zen sects and the Buddhist Shangha of the Tran dynasty. Professor of Philosophy Thai Kim Lan says King Tran Nhan Tong left valuable Buddhist philosophic ideology: “Ideologically, he initiated a Vietnamese Buddhist school and applied Buddhist theory flexibly and creatively, creating a civilized lifestyle for the Vietnamese during the Ly and Tran dynasties. His way of life was simple. Although being a King, he thought of others and advocated humanity, wisdom and morality”.

After more than 700 years of development, the Truc Lam Zen sect has promoted the spirit of entering into life: living a religious life and fulfilling a citizen’s responsibility for national construction and development. Cultural researcher Nguyen Huu Son told VOV:“Tran Nhan Tong opened the Truc Lan Zen sect based on the knowledge he had learnt from his grandfather and father. The sect typifies the spirit of harmony between religious and secular lives. Buddhism is connected with the country, the nation, the humans and the social life. That’s why Tran Nhan Tong always talked about a secluded life without isolation from the world”.

Dong pagoda in Yen Tu mountain

The spirit of entering into life originated from the teaching a monk for Tran Thai Tong: “In the mountains, there is no Buddha; Buddha is right in our hearts”. Everybody can lead a religious life either far from home or at home. It’s more important that he or she needs to live sincerely. According to Doctor Nguyen Huu Son, the spirit of entering into life has been upheld by generations of Truc Lam Zen sect’s disciples: “Truc Lam Zen sect is associated with famous pagodas including Vinh Nghiem, Con Son and Hoa Nghiem. These pagodas and the system of Buddhist books retain their vitality, showing the immortality of the sect. Many pagodas, which were built in Hue and Sai Gon and in the Vietnamese community areas in India and Eastern Europe, follow the Truc Lam Zen school”.