1

M U

1. L DO CHN TI

1.1. Triu Minh Mng l triu i li du n trong lch s dn tc

vi nhiu thnh tu trong cng cuc ci cch hnh chnh, pht trin vn ha

gio dc, thng nht lnh th v bo v ch quyn t nc. i vi tn gio,

trong khi coi Nho gio l h t tng chnh thng v tm cch khuch trng,

khng nh v tr c tn ca n, triu Minh Mng vn t ra thn thin, ci m

i vi Pht gio. Di thi Minh Mng, Pht gio thc s c chn

hng, khng ch pht trin v din mo, quy m, m cn khng nh c vai

tr ca mnh trong i sng chnh tr, vn ha, x hi ng thi. Do vy, y

l mt giai on pht trin khng th b qua khi nghin cu Pht gio Vit

Nam.

1.2. Cho n nay, m c d c mt cng trnh nghin cu v lch

s ht gio Vit Nam, nhng hu ht trong cc cng trnh ny, giai on

Pht gio thi Minh Mng thng khng c nhc n, nu c cng ch

mang tnh gii thiu mt cch lc, cp n mt s kha cnh n l,

tn mn. V vy, c th khng nh rng, cha c bt k cng trnh no

nghin cu Pht gio thi Minh Mng mt cch c bn, c h thng.

Nhng cu hi t ra lin quan n din mo, c im, vai tr ca Pht

gio giai on ny vn cn b trng.

1.3. Ngy nay, ht gio Vit Nam vi ch trng o php Dn

tc Ch ngha x hi ang c nhng ng gp tch cc vo nghip

bo v T quc v pht trin kinh t x hi ca t nc. Tuy nhin,

pht trin ca Pht gio cng t ra mt s vn cn nghin cu thu o

hn. Bn cnh nhng m t tch cc, Pht gio Vit Nam hin nay ang c

nhng biu hin lch lc, khng ch tri vi ch trng, ng li, chnh

ch, php lut ca ng v Nh nc m cn i ngc li tn ch, mc

ch chn chnh ca o Pht, gy mt n nh trt t v an ton x hi, lm

tn hi n uy tn ca chnh bn thn ht gio. Thc tin cng lm cho

vic nghin cu lch s Pht gio Vit Nam, nht l nhng giai on pht

trin ca n tr thnh mt yu cu bc thit c ngha c v l lun v

thc tin. N khng ch gip chng ta lm ng t nhiu vn quan

trng ca lch s, vn ha dn tc, m cn lm phong ph thm c

khoa hc cho chnh ch ca ng v Nh nc i vi Pht gio, ng

thi cng gip chnh bn thn tn gio ny c th c rt nhng bi hc,

kinh nghim t qu kh pht trin mt cch bn vng theo ng phng

chm hnh o ca mnh.

Vi nhng l do , chng ti quyt nh chn ti Pht gio Vit

Nam thi Minh Mng (1820 1840) lm lun n tin .

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2. I TNG V PHM VI NGHIN CU

- i tng nghin cu chnh ca lun n l ht gio Vit Nam thi

Minh Mng (1820 1840)

- Phm vi khng gian ca lun n l c nc, trong ch trng n

ba trung tm ht gio chnh l: H Ni, Tha Thin Hu v thnh ph H

Ch Minh.

Phm vi thi gian ca lun n tnh theo nin hiu vua Minh Mng l t

nm 1820 n nm 1840.

Phm vi ch th ca lun n l ch nghin cu Pht gio ngi Vit m

khng quan tm n Pht gio ca cc cng ng tc ngi khc.

3. MC TIU V NHIM V NGHIN CU

Nghin cu ti Pht gio Vit Nam thi Minh Mng (1820

1840) nhm mc tiu phc dng li bc tranh tng quan v ht gio thi

vua Minh Mng tr v; t thy c chn hng ca ht gio giai

on ny. ng thi, lun n cng nhm ch ra c im, vai tr ca ht

gio trong i ng x hi lc by gi; qua c rt nhng bi hc kinh

nghim lch s cho vic qun l v huy ng cc ngun lc ca tn gio

vo cng cuc xy dng v bo v t nc trong bi cnh hin nay.

t c mc ch trn, lun n thc hin mt s nhim v sau:

- hn tch bi cnh t nc u th k XIX; nu v phn tch chnh

ch i vi Pht gio thi Minh Mng (1820 1840)

- Ti hin mt cch c bn tnh hnh ht gio Vit Nam thi Minh

Mng, ch nhng tc ng ca chnh ch nh nc i vi thc tin pht

trin ca Pht gio ng thi.

- Lm r c im v vai tr ca Pht gio thi Minh Mng, t rt

ra nhng bi hc kinh nghim hu ch cho hm nay.

4. PHNG PHP NGHIN CU

thc hin ti ny tc gi s dng hai phng php chnh l

phng php lch s v phng php lgic. Th n, do tnh cht ca

ti, chng ti cn dng phng php nghin cu ca kho c hc, ngh

thut hc, dn tc hc, tn gio hc tm hiu di tch, di vt, kin trc,

quy cch th t Ngoi ra, lun n cn dng phng php o nh c

gc lch i v ng i, phng php thng k, phng php in d.

5. NG GP CA LUN N

- ng gp u tin ca lun n l cung cp t liu v Pht gio

Vit Nam thi Minh Mng mt cch c h thng, phong ph, a dng v

loi hnh v c gi tr s liu cao.

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- Lun n chng minh c s chn hng ca Pht gio thi Minh

Mng trn mt s phng din. y l mt ng gp mi bi lu nay cc

nh nghin cu v lch s Pht gio Vit Nam u cho rng giai on t th

k XIX n trc phong tro chn hng ht gio u th k XX, Pht gio

Vit Nam a t v khng hong. T , lun n cng gp phn nh gi

li chnh ch ca triu Nguyn ni chung v triu Minh Mng ni ring

i vi Pht gio.

- Mt ng gp na ca lun n l ch ra c nhng c im ring

c, ng thi khng nh nhng kha cnh tch cc ca Pht gio thi Minh

Mng, qua , gp phn lp c khong trng trong nghin cu lch s

Pht gio dn tc, ng thi, gip minh nh vai tr quan trng ca Pht

gio khng ch qu kh m c trong s nghip xy dng v bo v t

nc hm nay.

- Kt qu nghin cu ca ti cng cung cp cho cc c quan nh

nc nhng bi hc kinh nghim hu ch trong xy dng ch trng, chnh

ch, gii php ph hp qun l tn gio; ng thi y cng l c

cc t chc Pht gio v ngi dn a phng tip tc k tha truyn

thng, gn c khi trong c ng chung tay vi nh nc pht trin Pht gio

trong bi cnh mi.

6. B CC CA LUN N

Ngoi M u, Kt lun, Danh mc cc cng trnh khoa hc lin quan

cng b, Ti liu tham kho, Ph lc, ni dung chnh ca lun n c

chia lm 4 chng.

Chng 1: Tng quan

Chng 2: Chnh ch i vi Pht gio thi Minh Mng (1820

1840)

Chng 3: Tnh hnh ht gio thi Minh Mng (1820 1840)

Chng 4: c im, vai tr ht gio thi Minh Mng (1820 1840)

CHNG 1:

TNG QUAN

1.1. Tng quan ti liu

1.1.1. Ngun ti liu th tch c

* Ti liu th tch chnh thng

Ngun ti liu th tch chnh thng c chng ti s dng nhiu

trong lun n l Chu bn triu Nguyn v cc b ch do Quc s qun v

Ni cc triu Nguyn bin on nh Khm nh i Nam hi in s l,

i Nam thc lc, Minh Mng chnh yu, i Nam nht thng ch, y

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l nhng t liu ht sc c gi tr i vi lun n, cha ng nhiu thng

tin lin quan n thi , chnh ch ca triu nh i vi Pht gio, ghi

chp vic xy dng, tr ng tu ch a chin, cc quy nh, l nghi, vn b

ung nhn cho cc ch a... Tuy nhin, liu ny khi dng chng ti

cng ch i chiu, o nh vi cc ngun ti liu khc, c bit l ti

liu in d, nhm trnh nhn nhn mt chiu theo quan im ca cc

quan triu Nguyn.

* Cc c th ca Pht gio

Nghin cu lch s Pht gio Vit Nam giai on trung i nn chng

ti cn khai thc ngun t liu l cc c th ht gio bng ch Hn do

nhng ch tng, pht t ngi Vit ghi chp, bin on nh o gio

nguyn lu, Thin uyn truyn ng lc, Hm Long sn ch, Ng Hnh Sn

lc, Ngoi ra, chng ti cn dng mt s vn bn c ch Hn khc

nh: bn thng k php kh cha Thnh Duyn i Thnh Thi, vn bn

ghi chp v c t Kim Phong trn ni Thn Dinh vit nm Minh Mng

1830, Bn k vic th t v tn to cha Phc Lm ca thin s c tc

danh L Vn Th, vit nm 1923. y l nhng t liu qu gi phn nh

tnh hnh ht gio thi Minh Mng m lun n tham kho c.

1.1.2. Ngun ti liu vn khc c

Chng ti c bit quan tm v coi trng mng t liu vn khc, ch

yu l vn bia (ch a, thp) v minh chung c to lp thi Minh Mng.

Cho n hin ti, phn nhiu cc t liu ny vn cn hin hu trong cc

ch a, thp; nhng cng c mt s bia b hy hoi t lu, ho c ch l tm

vi vi dng vn khc khng r nt. Tuy nhin, vi nhng trng hp

ny, chng ta vn c c hi khai thc, nghin cu nh vo thc bn do Vin

Vin ng bc c in rp t trc nm 1945, nay lu tr ti Th vin Vin

Nghin cu Hn Nm, ng thi c in chp gii thiu cho c gi trong

b ch rt s Tng tp thc bn vn khc Hn Nm do Nh xut bn

Vn ha - Thng tin, H Ni n hnh nm 2009. ng thi, trong nhng

nm qua, cc nh nghin cu Hn Nm cng u tm, phn loi v dch

thut c mt s lng ln vn khc nh: Vn bia cha Hu, Vn khc

Hn Nm Vit Nam, Vn khc trn chung khnh triu Nguyn, Vn bia

triu Nguyn (tuyn chn), Di sn Hn Nm Thng Long H Ni, Vn bia

v vn chung Hn Nm dn gian Tha Thin Hu ... Qua ngun t liu

ny, nhng sinh hot Pht gio chn thn d, cng nh nim tin ca dn

chng i vi Pht gio c phn nh mt cch ht sc inh ng v chn

thc.

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1.1.3. Ngun ti liu sn phm nghin cu khoa hc

Lun n cng tham kho cc ch nghin cu l lun v tn gio

ni chung nh: H Ch Minh v vn tn gio, tn ngng, L lun v tn

gio v tnh hnh tn gio Vit Nam, Vn tn gio trong cch mng

Vit Nam l lun v thc tin, ... Nhng tc phm ny c coi l c ,

nn tng v m t l lun trong vic nghin cu tn gio ni chung v ht

gio ni ring.

Bn cnh , chng ti cn phi s dng cc ch nghin cu v Pht

gio Vit Nam hay cc a phng ca cc tc gi Nguyn Lang, Vin

Trit hc, Nguyn Hin c, Trn Hng Lin, Thch Mt Th, Thch Nh

Tnh, Thch ng Dng; v cc ch, bi bo khoa hc, lun n, lun

vn tt nghip vit v Pht gio thi Nguyn ca cc tc gi han i

Don, Nguyn Vn Kim, Bang, Nguyn Cnh Minh, L Cung, Th

Ha Hi, Phan Thu Hng, Nguyn Ngc Qunh, T Quc Khnh

1.1.4. Ngun ti liu in d

Lun n cn khai thc ngun ti liu l kt qu ca qu trnh in d

thc t, do tc gi ti thc hin vo cc nm 2013, 2014, 2015. N bao

gm ti liu truyn ming dn gian do ngi dn bn a cung cp, nhng

kho t, ghi chp v di tch, di vt, cch thc th t trong cc ngi ch a,

cnh quan a l, kin trc cng trnh. Nhng thng tin, t liu ny gip

phn nh nhiu ni dung m t liu thnh vn khng cp n, ng thi,

cng l c chng ti i chiu, thm nh li tnh chnh xc ca

cc ngun t liu.

1.2. Lch s nghin cu vn

1.2.1. Tnh nghin nghin cu vn trong nc

1.2.1.1. Giai on trc nm 1975

Trc nm 1975, trong nhng nghin cu v Pht gio Vit Nam,

ng k nht l cc bi vit ca ngi hp cng b trn tp ch Nhng

ngi bn c Hu (B.A.V.H). Do mi tc gi ch nghin cu mt ngi

ch a c th vi khung thi gian n vi th k nn giai on lin quan n

triu Minh Mng c cp rt lc trong khong 1-2 trang, cc vn

c tm hiu cn rt tn mn, mang nhiu tnh a phng.

C ng vi ngi hp, cc tng ngi Vit cng quan tm bin on

lch s Pht gio t rt sm, trong ng ch c tc phm Vit Nam

Pht gio s lc ca tc gi Thch Mt Th. Trong tc phm ny c

nhng nhn nh ng ch v tnh hnh ht gio thi Nguyn.

1.2.1.2. Giai on t 1975 n nay

K t au ngy t nc hon ton c lp (1975) cho n nay c rt

nhiu cng trnh nghin cu lin quan n Pht gio Vit Nam vi nhiu cp

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v t nhiu cch tip cn khc nhau c cng b. L mt giai on pht

trin ca Pht gio Vit Nam nn ht gio thi Minh Mng cng c im

qua, nhc n mt cch khi qut trong mt s cng trnh, bi vit, cng c

mt s danh tng hay ngi ch a thi Minh Mng c chn lm i tng

nghin cu chnh ca mt s tc gi. Tu chung li, c th khu tr cc cng

trnh nghin cu theo cc nhm au:

* Nhm cc cng trnh nghin cu chung v Pht gio Vit Nam

Nghin cu v ht gio Vit Nam c cng b trong thi gian qua c

th k n c hng trm cng trnh, bi vit, nhng trong ch c mt t

c tm hiu giai on ht gio thi Minh Mng, hay c nhng thng tin lin

quan, tiu biu c cc tc phm Vit Nam Pht gio s lun, Lch s Pht

gio Vit Nam v cha Vit Nam.

* Nhm cc cng trnh nghin cu Pht gio theo vng hoc tng a

phng

Nm 1995, tc phm o Pht trong cng ng ngi Vit Nam

B - Vit Nam t th k XVII n 1975 ca tc gi Trn Hng Lin c

cng b lm ng t qu trnh du nhp v pht trin ca Pht gio Nam

B vi nhng c im rt ring mang m sc thi ca v ng t mi, vai

tr ca Pht gio trong i sng ca cng ng y cng c phn

tch, lun gii vi nhng lp lun v ti liu minh chng xc ng, qua

lm r c tnh a phng v tnh dn tc ca Pht gio Nam B.

Nm 2001, Thch Hi n, H Xun Lim cng b cun Lch s Pht

gio x Hu v bn nm au, tc gi H Xun Lim cho ra i cun Nhng

cha thp Pht gio Hu. Hai cng trnh ny phn nh mt cch r nt

din mo ca Pht gio Hu qua nhng bc thng trm ca lch s, h

thng ch a thp c m t t m, chi tit vi nhiu hnh nh minh ha c

th v nhng kin gii r rng v lch s. Giai on triu Nguyn c xem

l giai on phc hng ca Pht gio Hu nn cng c cc tc gi ny

dnh kh nhiu s quan tm.

Mt ngi con ca chnh t Qung Nam i c Thch Nh Tnh

dy cng tp hp t liu, kho cu v cng b cng trnh Hnh trng

ch tng thin c x Qung (2008) v Lch s truyn tha thin phi

Lm T Chc Thnh (2009) gp phn lm ng t lch s hnh thnh v

pht trin ca thin phi Lm t Chc Thnh cng nh tin trnh lch s

ca Pht gio Qung Nam. Mt s danh tng thuc thin phi ny inh

sng v hnh o di thi Minh Mng cng c tc gi gii thiu vi

ngun t liu ng tin cy.

Trong hai nm 2014 v nm 2015, Trung tm vn ha ht gio Liu

Qun (Hu) xut bn lin tip cc chuyn v quc t Thnh Duyn

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trn ni Thy Vn (Hu) (s 3), ch a Trn Hi trn ni Linh Thi (Hu) (s

4), nhng ngi c t trn t Qung Bnh ( 5), di sn mc bn Pht gio

Hu (s 6). Bi vit trong cc chuyn ny c nhiu pht hin mi v c

ni dung v t liu.

* Nhm cc nghin cu v Pht gio triu Nguyn

K t sau khi Hi tho khoa hc v triu Nguyn ln th nht (1992)

c t chc, cc vn v triu Nguyn dn c nhiu hc gi trong

nc v quc t quan tm nghin cu hn. Trong ln hi tho ny, tc gi

Trn Hng Lin c bi vit Vi nt v Pht gio thi Nguyn. Bi vit

ch gi gn trong 12 trang nhng khi qut c nhng nt c bn ca

Pht gio triu Nguyn, trong c bit nhn mnh n s pht trin v

h thng ch a thp, hot ng chn chnh li nn np sinh hot ca Pht

gio, kinh ch...

Nm 1993, tc gi Nguyn Vn Kim c bi vit Chnh ch tn

gio ca nh Nguyn u th k XIX ng trn tp ch Nghin cu lch s.

Tc gi han i Don, nm 1996 cng gii thiu Vi nt v tn

ngng, tn gio Vit Nam th k XIX. C ng nm, tc gi L Cung c bi

bit Chnh ch ca triu Nguyn i vi Pht gio v mu thun ca

n i vi hin thc. Cc bi vit ny u phn tch mu thun gia

chnh ch bi xch, hn ch Pht gio ca triu Nguyn (ch yu l thi

Gia Long v T c) vi thc t pht trin mnh m ca Pht gio trong

dn gian, t rt ra mt s c im ca Pht gio trong giai on ny.

Khng tha mn vi kt qu nghin cu c, nm 2006, tc gi

Bang mt ln na chn vn V chnh ch tn gio ca triu Nguyn,

nhng kinh nghim lch s lm i tng nghin cu cho mt bi vit ca

mnh.

Nm trong s t cc cng trnh nghin cu trc tip vn tn gio

thi Minh Mng, bi vit Chnh ch ca Minh Mnh i vi tn gio v

ngha ca n trong lch s Vit Nam (2009) ca hai tc gi Th Ha

Hi, Phan Th Thu Hng rt ng lu . im mi ca bi vit l bc

u thy c nhng tc ng ca tnh hnh trong nc v c quc t n

vic hnh thnh chnh ch i vi tn gio ca vua Minh Mng v tch

bch c chnh ch ca vua Minh Mng vi chnh ch ca c triu

Nguyn.

1.2.2. Tnh hnh nghin cu vn nc ngoi

phc v cho mc ch xm lc v thng tr, ngi hp c kh

nhiu nghin cu v Vit Nam, trong c mt s cng trnh nghin cu v

Pht gio, tiu biu nh: tc gi Samy vi tc phm Histoire du Bouddhisme

en Indochine (1921); tc gi G.Coulet vi Cultes et Religions de

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lIndochine annamite (1929); tc gi P.Gheddo vi Catholiques et

Bouddhistes au Vietnam (1970)...

Cc nh Vit Nam hc Trung Quc gn y cng c nhiu cng

trnh nghin cu v triu Nguyn nh b Vit Nam thng s do hai tc gi

Quch Chn c v Trng Tiu Mai bin on (2001), bi T tng trit

hc ca hong Minh Mnh triu Nguyn Vit Nam ca hc gi Du

Minh Khim.

1.2.3. Nhng vn lun n k tha t cc cng trnh nghin cu xut bn

T cc cng trnh nghin cu cng b, chng ti c th k tha mt

s kt qu nghin cu sau:

- Mt l, phng php lun nghin cu lch s Pht gio.

- Hai l, k tha h thng t liu v Pht gio Vit Nam v ht gio

cc a phng

- Ba l: k tha kt qu nghin cu tnh hnh ht gio Vit Nam

trc thi Minh Mng

- Bn l, kt qu nghin cu v Pht gio triu Nguyn.

1.2.4. Nhng vn t ra cn tip tc nghin cu

Tuy m c cc hc gi quan tm nghin cu nhng cho n nay

mi ch c mt s vn n l lin quan n Pht gio Vit Nam thi

Minh Mng c tm hiu. Do vy, nhng vn t ra cn tip tc nghin

cu, l:

Th nht: lm r bi cnh lch s v chnh ch i vi Pht gio thi

Minh Mng cng nh nh gi nhng u im v hn ch ca chnh ch.

Th hai: trnh by c h thng tnh hnh ht gio Vit Nam thi Minh

Mng, trong ch lm r cc vn : c th t, nghi l, kinh ch v danh

tng tiu biu.

Th ba: phn tch nhng c im ni bt ca Pht gio Vit Nam giai

on vua Minh Mng tr v qua ci nhn i nh vi Pht gio cc giai

on lch s khc v vi cc tn gio khc. Chng minh v khng nh vai

tr ca Pht gio trong i sng chnh tr, vn ha, x hi thi Minh Mng.

Th t: t vic nghin cu Pht gio thi Minh Mng cn tng kt,

nh gi nhng u im v hn ch ca Pht gio giai on ny, t c

rt nhng bi hc kinh nghim cn thit cng nh a ra nhng kin ngh

xut i vi cc c nhn, t chc qun l tn gio ni chung v ht

gio ni ring nhm gip cho cng tc ny thc hin c hiu qu hn.

1.3. Tng quan tnh hnh Pht gio Vit Nam trc thi Minh Mng

T khi t nc c hon ton c lp t ch n thi Gia Long,

Pht gio Vit Nam c ng thnh suy vi nhng thng trm ca lch s

dn tc. Trong qu trnh , ht gio c nhiu ng gp cho cng cuc

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tr quc, an dn ca cc triu i phong kin. Tuy nhin, thi ca cc

nh nc i vi Pht gio khng phi hon ton thng nht, bn cnh s

u i, coi trng, Pht gio cng c lc b hoi nghi, lnh nht. Du vy, i

vi nhng ngi bnh dn, trong bt k giai on no, ht gio vn lun

chim gi v tr quan trng, l nhu cu tm linh khng th thiu trong cuc

sng cn lm ri ro v gian nan.

CHNG 2:

CHNH SCH I VI PHT GIO THI MINH MNG

(1820 1840)

2.1. Bi cnh lch s u triu Nguyn (1802 1840)

c thnh lp trong bi cnh quc t v trong nc c nhiu bin

chuyn, triu Nguyn vn tip tc khi phc, cng c ch phong kin tp

quyn da trn hc thuyt Nho gio. T ch coi phng Ty v Cng gio l

mi e da tim tng i vi an ninh quc gia, cc vua u triu Nguyn t

ch lnh nht n hn ch, ri cui c ng l thc thi chnh ch cm o,

git o mt cch khng phn bit, c ng vi l hn ch giao thng vi

cc nc phng Ty. M c d kinh t t nc c bc pht trin, i

sng nhn dn phn no c ci thin hn trc nhng x hi vn cn

nhiu bt n, ngi dn vn cha thc s c cuc sng yn bnh. Trong bi

cnh , nhng yu t tch cc ca Pht gio, o gio v cc tn ngng c

truyn c cc vua Nguyn khai thc phc v cho cng cuc tr nc, v

vy, trong sut th k XIX, cc tn gio, tn ngng c t lu i nc

ta tip tc c truyn b v pht trin trong lng dn tc.

2.3. Vi nt v thn th v s nghip vua Minh Mng

Minh Mng c tn hy l hc m, con trai th t ca vua Gia Long

v b Hong hu Thun Thin Trn Th ang, c ng cha khc m vi hong

t hc Cnh. Minh Mng inh ngy 23 thng 4 nm Tn Hi (25-5-1791)

ti Gia nh. Nm 1793, khi hong t hc m mi ln 3 tui, Nguyn

nh giao cho Tha Thin Cao Hong Hu (m hong t hc Cnh)

lm con nui. Nm 1820, hong t hc m ln ngi, ly nin hiu l

Minh Mng.

Tuy khng phi l con trng nhng ng c vua Gia Long chn

lm ngi k v khi va trn 25 tui. Minh Mng khng ph s k vng

ca vua cha. ng lun hiu r chc trch ca mnh, ing nng tham cu

nhiu ch v dy v tr nc, chm lo vic chnh s. Trong nhng nm

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cm quyn ca mnh, vua Minh Mng lm c nhiu vic cho t

nc, trong thnh tu ng ch nht phi k n l cng cuc ci cch

hnh chnh, cng c v thng nht ch quyn quc gia, pht trin vn ha

gio dc.

Vua Minh Mng mt ngy 28 thng 12 nm Canh T (20-1-1841) ti

in Quang Minh, hng th 50 tui. Trc khi qua i, ng lp Min

Tng lm Thi t ( au ny l vua Thiu Tr).

2.4. Chnh sch i vi Pht gio thi Minh Mng

2.3.1. Pht trin c s th t

Trong khi vua Gia Long hn ch, kim ot vic xy dng, tr ng tu

ch a chin th chnh ngi k v ca ng - vua Minh Mng li rt tch cc

trong vic pht trin cc c th t ht gio. Trong hn 20 nm tr v,

ng cho xy mi v tu a hng chc ngi c t, ngoi ra ng cn h tr

kinh ph cho cc a phng a cha ch a chin nhiu a phng trong

c nc.

Khng ch bn thn vua Minh Mng m hong tc, quan li cng

ngoi h mnh m cho hot ng tr ng kin ch a chin. Trong vua quan,

hong tc triu nh l vy, cn ngoi dn gian, tnh hnh cng khng

khc my. Hot ng tu sa, dng mi ch a lng din ra nhn nhp nhiu

v ng qu. Ch a chin thi Minh Mng, nh m pht trin nhanh

chng, nhiu ngi c t c gi tr v m t vn ha lch s c tr ng tu, bo

tn, trnh c nguy c mai mt do nhng tc ng khng mong mun ca

thi tit v con ngi. Nhiu ngi ch a c triu nh u t xy dng c

quy m b th, khang trang, tr thnh danh lam thng cnh t im thm

v p ca non ng nc Vit.

2.3.2. Thc hin ch bao cp i vi Quc t

Quc t l nhng ngi ch a do triu nh trc tip xy dng, ti thit

v qun l dng. Trong thi Minh Mng, nhng ngi ch a ny c

triu nh dnh nhiu quan tm v hu i. Tng Quc t c min

thu kha, u dch, c cp lng bng hng thng chi d ng, cp

php phc, go mui...

Cc ngi Quc t cng c triu nh ban cp y kinh ph, l

phm v nhu yu phm cc loi phc v cho vic t chc cc nghi l. L

vt d ng trong cng t c kim tra rt c th v s lng, trng lng,

hnh thc, th l. i vi mt s Quc t xa kinh , triu nh trch mt

phn rung t cng lng x lm rung th cho nh ch a, phn rung t

ny u c min thu v giao cho ch a ho c dn lng ti qun l ly

hoa li chi ph lo vic th t.

11

Quc t chnh l ni truyn b ht gio mang tnh quc gia. V vy,

nhng hu i ca triu Minh Mng i vi nhng ngi ch a ny cng

chnh l tha nhn v ng h Pht gio pht trin trong i sng tn

ngng ca dn tc. Hn na, phn ln Quc t ngay ti Kinh Hu -

ni c ng dn chng mn m Pht gio th vic chm lo cho cc Quc

t cng l mt cch quan tm n i sng tinh thn ca nhn dn. T ,

triu nh c th thu phc c lng dn, to c lng tin v ng h

ca nhn dn, gp phn n nh t nc.

2.3.3. Coi trng nghi l Pht gio

Khng ch chu cp chu o cho vic t chc cc nghi l thng nht

nhng ngi ch a cng m triu nh cn trc tip ng ra t chc mt s

nghi l quan trng ca Pht gio, trong , t chc quy m v nhiu ln

nht phi k n L Trai n chn t. Trong 20 nm tr v ca vua Minh

Mng, triu nh c hn 10 ln ng ra t chc L trai n chn t ti

cc ch a.

Tuy l mt nghi l ca Pht gio nhng Trai n li c triu nh

ng ra t chc nn trong bui l ny, hu ht cc thnh vin hong tc,

quan li trong triu v nh vua u n tham d v hnh l. Mi cng tc

chun b, sp xp, t chc u do cc c quan ca triu nh trc tip m

nhn. Cc Chu bn ghi chp v L Trai n cho bit r vai tr, nhim

v ca tng c quan trong vic t chc nghi l ny.

Kinh ph t chc Trai n u c xut t ngn kh. Trong cc L

Trai n, triu nh thng cho bn 62 pht ng lnh, nhng t sau Trai

n Linh Hu qun (1837), pho giy c d ng thay th m bo an

ton.

2.3.4. Qun l cht ch tng s

Tng l lc lng c vai tr quyt nh trong truyn b v pht trin

ht gio, v vy, bn cnh nhng hu i, vua Minh Mng cng rt ch

qun l i ng ny thng qua vic cp ip v t hch tng , phn

b, lun chuyn tng cc ch a, cng nh c nhng quy nh ring v

o c, li ng ca tng .

Cng nh cc giai on trc, trong thi Minh Mng, ip vn l

cng c chnh nh nc qun l lc lng tu . Nhng mun c cp

ip, tng phi vn tp n kinh , c B L t hch v ghi nhn

l bc chn tu, gi gn gii lut, am hiu Pht php. Sau khi nhn c

ip, tng c t do hnh o, c min cc th thu v lao dch.

Trong 20 nm, vua Minh Mng 3 ln cho t chc t hch tng vo

cc nm 1830, 1835, 1840. Vic lm ny cho thy n lc ca vua Minh

Mng trong vic qun l i ng tu . St hch kin thc nhm tm ta

12

nhng tng ti gii, to iu kin cho h hnh o, ng thi loi tr

nhng k khng thc hc thc tu ra khi ch a chin l vic lm cn thit,

c nhiu tc ng tch cc n sinh hot Pht gio lc by gi.

Di thi Minh Mng, m c d nh vua vn ban chc tc chc Tng

cang, c ng nhiu hu i dnh cho i ng tng cc Quc t nhng gii

tng hon ton khng c tham chnh, khng c tham vn nhng

cng vic h trng ca t nc. Cc cao tng d ti gii n my cng

khng c trng dng vo vic triu chnh, ti nng ca h ch gii hn

trong phm vi ngi ch a, vi nhim v chnh l chm c i sng tm linh

cho tn , v vy, vai tr cng nh nhng ng gp ca h cng ht sc hn

ch so vi cc thi k trc. Vi mt nh nc phong kin tp quyn chuyn

ch quan liu da trn nn tng t tng Nho gio nh triu Minh Mng th

s rt lui ca i ng tng khi chnh trng l iu d hiu.

Khng ch quan tm n vn nhn ca cc t vin, triu nh

cng rt ch n o c, li sng ca tu ht gio. H bt buc phi

tun th nhng quy nh v y phc, b x pht n ng nu c v con, ho c

on tuyt vi cha m, chu hnh pht n ng hn dn thng khi phm ti.

Nhng quy nh ny th hin r yu cu ca triu Nguyn ni chung v

triu Minh Mng ni ring i vi tng , khng ch thng hiu Pht php

m h phi l nhng ngi c phm hnh hn ngi, c li sng thanh

bch, gin d, chp nhn t b nhng ham mun trn tc lm gng cho

ngi i, t mi cm ha c gio chng.

Nhiu kin cho rng, vic qun l ch t ch tng , kim ot ht

gio l bin php hn ch s pht trin ca tn gio ny. Nhng theo chng

ti, vic lm ny khng h lm cho ht gio uy gim, m ngc li.

Chnh qun l ca triu nh gip khi phc c mt i ng tng

c t chc, trnh Pht php, v c , hn ch nhng k trn trnh lao

dch, li dng ca thin lm ni chng i triu nh, gp phn a inh

hot Pht gio i vo nn np. y l vic lm hu ch i vi Pht gio,

gip cho tn gio ny pht trin ngy cng vng chc hn.

Tm li, t vic vua Minh Mng quan tm pht trin ch a chin, coi

trng nghi l Pht gio, thc hin ch bao cp i vi Quc t, nhng

li qun l ch t ch tng c th khng nh chnh ch ca nh vua i

vi Pht gio l to iu kin cho n pht trin trong s kim ot ca nh

nc.

13

CHNG 3:

TNH HNH PHT GIO VIT NAM

THI MINH MNG (1820 1840)

3.1. C s th t

3.1.1. Cha ca nh nc Theo dng pht trin ca lch s, nhiu ngi ch a c vua Minh

Mng cho xy dng hon ton bin mt do s tn ph ca thin tai v

chin tranh (Gic Hong, Khi Tng, Vnh An), nhng ngi cn li

cng khng cn gi nguyn vn kin trc bui u, hu ht b ci bin

sau nhiu t tr ng tu. Du vy, nhng ghi chp ri rc trong chnh nh

Nguyn, cc tranh v, bc ha, truyn khu ca cc tng cc ch a v

nhng on miu t ca gio phng Ty Vit Nam trong thi gian

ny cho thy nhng ngi ch a c xy dng ho c tr ng tu di s

ngoi h ca triu nh thng c quy m tng i ln, l mt qun th

kin trc, gm nhiu hng mc khc nhau, trong lun c nhng thnh

phn c bn nh: cng tam quan; n; ta nh chnh thng l 3 gian 2

chi, c hng lang hai bn; lu chung trng 3 gian 2 chi ho c lu H

hp, phng v nh bp. Bao quan ch a l tng gch. Ngoi ra, ch a

cn c thp, gc, khm , h, ao sen... cc ch a, vua thng n thm

cn c hnh cung vua ngh li nh ch a trn ni Thy Vn (Tha Thin

Hu), ni Ng Hnh Sn (Qung Nam), ch a Khi Tng (Gia nh).

Khng ch b th, quy m, cc ngi ch a ny phn ln c a th rt p,

ha ln vi ni ng cy c nn khng ch l ni th t m cn l chn

danh lam thng tch t im cho v p ca t nc.

C ng vi vic kin thit t vin, ch a ca nh nc cn c tu to

nhiu php tng, php kh. Cng vic ny thng c tin hnh c ng vi

hot ng tr ng tu ho c kin lp ch a. Di thi Minh Mng, tng th

tn tr trong cc ngi ch a ca nh nc thng rt a dng, s lng

tng nhiu, ch yu lm bng cht liu qu nh ng, m vng, g nn

nhiu tng vn cn c lu gi cho n hin nay.

3.1.1. Cha lng Di thi Minh Mng, nu triu nh, vua, hong tc v quan li

nhit tm to lp nhng ngi ch a mi trn t kinh , phng khong

cng dng cho vic kin thit nhng ngi c t th vic ngoi h ca

nhng ngi dn qu cc ngi ch a lng cng khng h thua km. Khc

vi ch a nh nc, ch a lng khng ch l ni th t ca Pht gio m

cn l trung tm vn ha lng, l ni p ng c nhiu nhu cu vn ha,

tn ngng ca nhn dn. Ngi Vit thng c cu t vua, ch a lng

14

hm nh mt li khng nh v mi quan h gn kt gia lng v ch a,

nu t ai di bu tri ny l ca vua th ch a l ca lng, do dn lng

xy dng v qun l. Do vy, d di triu i no, vic xy dng, sa

ang ch a lng cng l cng trnh tp th ca c lng, c x. Thi Minh

Mng cng khng ngoi l. iu ny c th hin rt r trong cc bi

minh chung. S ngi cng c cho cc cng trnh ch a lng khng h

nh t vi chc cho n vi trm ngi. Kh nng ng gp ca mi ngi

cho cng trnh ch a d nhiu t khc nhau nhng u th hin lng thnh v

nim tin ca h i vi o Pht.

So vi ch a nh nc, ch a lng c xy dng t kin c, vt liu th

nn bn vng ca cng trnh cng thp hn. Trc tc ng nghit

ng ca thi tit v con ngi, phn ln ch a lng n nay qua nhiu ln

tr ng tu, a cha, thm ch nhiu ch a khng cn tn ti nn rt kh

nhn bit du n kin trc ca thi Minh Mng trong cc ngi ch a lng

hin nay, nhng may mn l tng th ca giai on ny n nay vn cn

c lu gi kh nhiu cc a phng. V c bn, i tng th cng

trong ch a lng cng ging nh ch a nh nc, nhng c thm mt s i

tng khc nh th Hu, th ngi c gi gi, th cc v tin hin, hu

hin ca lng.

3.2. Nghi l Pht gio

Nghi l ca Pht gio Vit Nam rt a dng, tu chung gm ba nhm

chnh; Nghi l thng nht c cng phu ng, cng phu chiu, cng ng v

kha l Tnh (tng kinh ti); Nghi l thng nin c cc l va ht, B

Tt (Quan Th m, Vn Th B Tt), cc ngy c, vng, L Pht n,

L Vu lan, L An c kit h; Nghi l c bit: i gii n, Trai n chn

t, Gii oan bt , L Cu iu, Cu an

Di thi Minh Mng, cc nghi l ny lun c t chc u n ti

chn thin mn, c bit, c mt s nghi l do chnh triu nh ng ra t

chc vi quy m ln, c tham gia ca c hong tc v quan li. Sau y

xin trnh by mt s nghi l chnh c t chc ti cc ch a thi Minh

Mng.

3.2.1. L Trai n chn t Di triu Minh Mng, c ng vi L Trai n do ch tng t t chc

ti cc t vin theo nghi thc ca ch Dim khu du gi tp yu th thc

khoa nghi m nay nhiu ch a Hu cn lu gi th giai on ny i ni

nht li l cc L Trai n do chnh nh vua khi xng. Trong 20 nm,

vua Minh Mng t chc hn 10 L Trai n khp cc ch a trong c

nc.

15

L Trai n do triu Minh Mng t chc thng l Trai n mt tht,

tc l c t chc trong 7 ngy, ho c tam tht l 21 ngy, trong thng

c ba ngy triu nh cm x vic hnh n v git tht sinh vt ra bn ch.

Cc b kinh thng c tng trong cc L Trai n l i Tha Diu

php Lin Hoa, i Tha Tam Bo, a Tng b tt bn nguyn kinh, T

bi o trng m php, Dc S. Vt phm cng t ch yu l hng n,

tru ru, bnh ng c, hoa qu, cho trng, go mui, ng v cm

chay, trong ng ch nht l m mt vt phm kh quen thuc v

ph bin trong cc nghi l th cng truyn thng ca ngi Vit. m

cng trong nghi l ny thng l qun o, d ng, bc, vng, tin tt c

c lm bng giy m phng ging nh ca ngi sng ang d ng.

Vi quan nim rm thng 7 l ngy m ca ngc, n x cho vong

nhn, nhng vong hn c th ln dng gian hng cc vt phm cng

t nn nhiu Trai n c lp vo thi gian ny (trai n cc nm 1820,

1835, 1840), ngoi ra, cn c dp tit Thng nguyn (thng ging) (Trai

n nm 1836 ti ch a Thin M) ho c rm thng 4 (Trai n nm 1840 ti

ch a Khi Tng). Khong cch gia cc Trai n khng c quy nh c

th, c th l vi thng, tng nm mt ho c vi nm, t y thuc vo nhiu

yu t nh tnh hnh t nc, cc kin c bit, cc l k nim quan

trng ca hong tc ho c quc gia.

Trong L Trai n do triu nh t chc thng c mt s lng ln

tng khng ch chnh ni t chc Trai n m c cc a phng khc

trong c nc c mi n tham d. V d: Trai n ch a Thin M nm

1821, ban u Nguyn Hu Thn, Nguyn Cng Tip tu danh ch mi d

Trai n ln ny c 419 ha thng, i , tng chng cc ch a t Tha

Thin Hu n Gia nh, trong Ha thng 4 ngi, i 64 ngi, tng

chng 315 ngi; t y t ng v tiu 36 ngi nhng au vua Minh Mng

iu chnh li l 1014 ngi.

3.2.2. L Gii n truyn gii

Cc gii n thng c t chc vo nhng ngy c k nim quan

trng i vi Pht gio nh L Pht n (8-4), L Vu Lan, sau L Trng

Hng

Nu di thi L Trn ho c cha Nguyn, cc i gii n thng

c triu nh ng ra t chc vi hng trm ngi tham gia, trong c

c hong thi hu, cng cha, vng phi v thm ch l chnh cc cha

cng xin th gii th di thi Minh Mng, cc gii n truyn gii phn

ln do cc n mn hay t vin t t chc cho nhng ngi xut gia xin

th Sa Di, T Kheo hay B Tt, hu nh khng c tham gia ca triu

nh trong nghi l ny. Thng thng trong mi gii n, mi ngi ch th

16

mt gii nhng trong thi k ny do nhiu kh khn trong vic m gii n

nn c ngi trong mt gii n th n c 3 gii (Sa Di, T Kheo, B

Tt).

Cc gii n c m u n hng nm hu khp cc a phng,

chng nhn cho hng trm gii t c th gii, gp phn o to i

ng tng kh ng o cho cc t vin. C th k mt vi gii n c

t chc trong thi gian ny nh gii n nm 1831 ti ch a Thin M

(Hu) do Ha thng T Chnh Bn Gic lm ha thng n u, gii

n nm 1838 ti ch a Thin n (Qung Ngi) do Ha thng Ton Chiu

lm ha thng n u, gii n nm 1837 ti ch a Linh hong (Bnh

nh), gii n nm 1826 ti ch a He Nhai (H Ni) do ha thng

Khoan Nhn h T lm ha thng n u.

3.2.3. L An c kit h

L An c kit h di triu Minh Mng cng c Ha thng Hi

Tnh, tr tr ch a Thin M nhc n trong Ng gia tng phi k: t mng

8 thng 4 phi an c kit h, chuyn tu tnh , nim Pht tham thin, thn

tm phi ng lo ngh, dt b tp nim v xa la cc duyn, cc vic ngoi.

T thng 9 tr i nn an c kit ng, tu hc kinh lut, kho cu gio

ngha, tinh thng vic th tr, chc tng, hu tin o, nghim thn. Mt

s ngi ch a min Nam thng t chc an c kit h cho ch tng nh:

ch a Gic Lm, ch a T n t chc kit h v kit ng; ch a Hi hc,

hc Hng, An lc, King hc, Bo An, S ng hc u an c 1 ln.

3.2.4. L Pht n

Pht n l ngy n sanh ca Pht Thch Ca. y l mt trong nhng

i l quan trng nht ca Pht gio. Theo truyn thng Pht gio Vit

Nam, L Pht n c t chc vo ngy 8 thng 4 m lch hng nm. Cc

ch a ln nh u thit tr bn ht, trang hong ch a chin, c bit cc

ngi quc t cn c triu nh chu cp tin bc, phm vt t chc l.

Trong dp Pht n, nhiu ch a t chc th n trn ng hay phng inh,

tng kinh, lm n chay, lp trai n chn t, t chc gii n

3.2.5. L Vu Lan Di thi Minh Mng, nghi l ny cng c t chc trng th cc

ch a vi nhiu hot ng nh tng kinh bo hiu, t chc phng inh (th

t do cho chim c), c bit l lm l chn t c hn (cn gi l l th thc).

Trong dn gian, nh no cng u dng cng hoa qu, bnh tri ln bn th

t tin, ng thi chun b mt mm cm thng c cho trng, ng

mui, go, khoai c t ngoi tri ho c trc ca nh cng c hn.

chn triu nh, L Vu lan cng l dp nh vua tng nh n thn

nhn qua i, cc quan qun binh hi inh v t nc vi nhiu

17

hot ng c ngha nh t chc tic chay, tng kinh cu iu, khai m trai

n chn t bt L Trai n chn t cc nm 1820, 1835, 1840 u

c triu nh t chc ti cc ch a vo dp L Vu Lan. Ring L Vu Lan

nm 1836, vua Minh Mng cho lm chay, mi cc n tng kinh 7 ngy

m, t nhiu vng m tin giy lng An Du hong thi t v trc n

hai qun vng Thiu Ha, Vnh Tng [129:974]. Cc ngi quc t cng

c triu nh ban cp nhiu l phm cng ht cng nh kinh ph

cng t trong dp ny.

3.3. Kinh sch Kinh ch ht gio thi Minh Mng kh phong ph v ni dung, th

loi, khng ch c kinh in nh kinh, lut, lun m cn c th, truyn, t y

bt S lng tc phm, cng nh lng quyn c khc in cng tng

i ln. Nh c nhiu kinh ch c khc in, tng chng cng nh cc pht

t c iu kin hiu r ngun gc ca Pht gio cng nh nhng nguyn l

uyn thm ca nh ht, c iu kin loi nhng tp nham ra khi h thng

quan nim, tr v vi ngun gc ca mnh.

Tuy vy, so vi giai on Pht gio L, Trn th lng kinh ch k

trn cn rt khim tn. Giai on ny hon ton khng c vic thnh kinh t

nc ngoi hay khc in i Tng kinh, cng khng c nhng nh tng kinh

quy m do triu nh xy dng, lu gi kinh in ch c thc hin n l

cc ch a vi s lng tng i m thi. Kinh ch c khc in trong

giai on ny phn ln l kinh tng v tc phm ca cc th k trc, trong

ch yu l kinh c tng s dng ph bin trong cc ch a v cc ch

ch gii, bn lun kinh in. Giai on ny c rt t tc phm nghin cu

trit l ht hc ra i, phn ln l cc b ch c tnh bin tp li cc tc

phm c, h thng ha t liu v kho cu lch s Pht gio Vit Nam v

th gii. V t tng, quan im ca cc tc gi thi k ny cng khng c

s t ph hay i mi ng k no, tu chung vn l tinh thn dung hp

cc quan im ca cc hc thuyt Pht, Lo, Nho c t nhiu th k

trc. Tng l lc lng ch yu bin on, khc in kinh ch, ch khng

thy s gp m t ca vua quan hay tng lp tri thc nh cc thi k trc.

iu phn no phn nh s trm lng trong i sng hc thut ca

Pht gio ng thi.

3.4. Nhng danh tng tiu biu

Pht gio Vit Nam thi Minh Mng tuy khng thy xut hin nhng

danh tng c th to lp nn nhng thin phi mi hay khi pht nhng t

tng mi nh di thi Trn, hay thi Trnh Nguyn, h cng li rt

t tc phm hay bi k th hin t tng, quan im ca mnh nhng trong

hng ng tng cng c khng t bc cao tng thc c gy dng c uy

18

tn trong x hi, c ng o dn chng v tn pht t ngng m, tn

knh bng nhng hot ng Pht s nhiu ngha. Khng ch nhit tm

tr ng tu, a ang ch a chin, tu to php tng, php kh lm quang rng

tng mn, m rng o php, m h cn tch cc hong php, thu nhn

t, ging dy kinh in, tp hp t liu, bin on, khc in c mt h thng

kinh ch ht gio... Trong , c ngi vinh d c triu nh c

phong Tng cang, cp gii ao ip, nhng cng c ngi khng nhn

c n in ny nhng vi nhng vic lm y ngha y, h xng ng

tr thnh nhng danh tng tiu biu cho ng thi. Tiu biu nh cc

thin : T n - Mt Hong, Tin Gic Hi Tnh (1788 1875), Ton

Nht Quang i (1757 1834), Tnh Thng Gic Ng (1774 1842),

Tin Thng - Vin Trng (1777 - 1853), Ton Nhm Vi - Qun

Thng (1798-1883), Tnh Thin Nht nh (1784 - 1847), Thin hc

in (1784 1862

CHNG 4:

C IM, VAI TR PHT GIO THI MINH MNG

(1820-1840)

4.1. c im Pht gio thi Minh Mng (1820 1840)

4.1.1. Pht gio thi Minh Mng chu nhiu tc ng ca yu t cung

nh nhng vn mang m tnh dn gian

Thng qua chnh ch ca triu nh c ng nhiu hot ng ngoi h

ca vua quan, hong tht, yu t cung nh tc ng khng nh n kin

trc, inh hot, nghi l, tng ca cc ngi quc t, ch a quan khin cho

nhng ngi ch a ny khng cn gi c s bnh d, gn gi nh vn c

ca cc ngi ch a ht m tr nn quyn qu, xa cch vi ng o tn hu

bnh dn. T , hnh thnh nn nhng ngi ch a, nhng tng , nhng

nghi l Pht gio ch phc v cho tng lp qu tc, hong tht.

Tuy nhin, nhng tc ng ny ch mi dng li b m t, v hnh

thc, mt b phn ch a chin v tng l, ch khng tc ng c u

vo trong t tng, hc l ca Pht gio, lng tr thc, qu tc l pht

t thun thnh, chuyn tm nghin cu Pht hp, thng hiu kinh in

Pht hc khng nhiu v cng khng to nn c nhng trc tc c gi tr

v m t t tng. Bi l, d c ng m, u i ht gio nhng h vn l

Nho , t tng Nho gio vn c xem l nn tng ca s nghip t gia,

tr quc, cn Pht gio ch l b sung cho Nho, cho vic vng ho,

v vy, hu ht u c ng chung mt quan nim l d Pht ti Nho m thi.

V vy, tnh cht cung nh, tnh cht qu tc trong Pht gio thi Minh

19

Mng vn kh m nht, dng ht gio bc hc cng khng th pht trin

nh thi L Trn.

Trong khi chu nhiu tc ng t yu t cung nh, ht gio thi Minh

Mng vn mang m nt tnh dn gian. Tnh dn gian trong ht gio th

hin trc ht lng tin ca dn chng, c im ca ngi ch a, n np

sinh hot, phng php tu chng v hnh o ca cc tng.

4.1.2. Hot ng hong php c m rng, c s giao lu, hi nhp

gia Pht gio cc vng min trong c nc

Trong thi gian tr v ca mnh, vua Minh Mng rt quan tm n cc

ngi quc t, c t t kinh nn nhn ca cc ngi t vin ny u

do triu nh phn b, iu chuyn. Vua thng triu mi cc danh tng

v ng Gia nh ra tr tr cc ngi ch a kinh Hu v phong chc Tng

cang vi nhiu hu i. in hnh nh ngi T n Mt Hong, Tin Gic

Hi Tnh, T Chnh Bn Gic Cc thin ny trong thi gian hong

ha kinh gp nhiu Pht s cho ni y, khng ch tr ng tu ch a

chin, t chc nhiu sinh hot Pht gio c quy m ln, gp phn xin

dng o php, quy t pht trin tn , m cn truyn php cho nhiu th

h t y, pht trin cc thin phi Nam B n tn kinh Hu, t

gp phn to nn mt giai on pht trin hng thnh ca Pht gio Hu.

Nhng ng thi, cc thin ny vn khng qun qu cha t t, h cn

tr v v ng t Gia nh, tip tc cc hot ng Pht s cn dang d v

tip tc truyn dy cho t ni c hng. Nh vy, thng qua hot

ng hong ha ca cc thin ny, t trung tm Gia nh ni u tin

n nhn cc thin phi truyn nhp vo Vit Nam khu vc pha Nam,

cc dng thin Nam B dn lan ta mnh m v khu vc min Trung, t

, to nn mi quan h mt thit gia cc dng thin min Trung v

min Nam, cng nh gia tng hai min, t gp phn to nn nhiu

nt tng ng cho Pht gio hai min Trung v Nam b khng ch giai

on ny m c v sau.

Mi dp vua Minh Mng t chc L Trai n chn t hay t hch

Tng cng l lc Tng cc a phng c dp giao lu, g p g nhau.

iu ng ni l n khng ch din ra cc a phng gn nhau, hay

trong tng v ng min vi mt vi c nhn m y phm vi rt rng ln

v lng ng o, chng ta thy c c cc Tng min Nam ra min

Trung hay t min Trung ra Bc. iu ny chc chn s khng th xy ra

cc thi k trc bi y l kt qu ca cng cuc thng nht t nc

khng ch trn phng din lnh th m c m t chnh quyn. Ch khi c

lnh th thng nht v chnh quyn thng nht th giao lu, g p g mi

c thc hin rng ri v thng ut n nh vy. T s giao lu, g p g

20

ca Tng , ht gio cc v ng min cng xch li gn nhau, hiu bit nhau

hn. y l tin quan trng gp phn to nn thng nht cho Pht

gioVit Nam cc giai on sau.

4.1.3. Pht gio thi Minh Mng pht trin mnh m trn phng din

vt cht nhng c s chng li v hc l

V phng din ngoi h cho hot ng xy dng, tr ng kin ch a

chin, tu to php tng, php kh, c th ni triu Minh Mng khng thua

km g cc triu i ng m Pht gio nh inh L, L Trn hay cha

Nguyn. C ng vi nn kinh t pht trin v mn m Pht gio ca ng

o qun thn, ch a chin, php tng, php kh khng ngng pht trin

v s lng cng nh quy m, i sng kinh t nh ch a c ci thin to

nn mt din mo y khi sc cho Pht gio ng thi. Nhng ch

mi l pht trin trn phng din vt cht. Cn mt phng din khc

cng khng km phn quan trng - l hc l, l phn hn ca Pht gio,

chng ta li thy n c chiu hng i xung trong giai on ny.

Hc l ca Pht gio th hin trc ht kinh ch. Thi Minh Mng

trong khi rt nhiu ch a c xy dng th li hon ton khng c hot

ng thnh kinh hay in n kinh ch quy m ln no c khi xng t

triu nh. Cc tc phm Pht hc ra i trong giai on ny phn ln l

ca cc thin nhng ch yu cng ch l tp hp, bin kho v lch s

Pht gio, ch gii, chuyn m kinh tng. Hon ton vng bng nhng cng

trnh kho cu c gi tr v gio l, t tng Pht hc. Quan im, t tng

ca gii thin gia lc ny cng ch l k tha, tip ni cc bc tin bi,

ch khng c khai phng, i mi ng ch no.

Trong cc th k XVI, XVII, mt s thin phi c ngun gc Trung

Hoa du nhp vo nc ta nh phi Lm T, To ng v t cng

hnh thnh nn nhng chi phi khi nguyn t chnh cc thin Vit Nam

nh phi Liu Qun, Chc Thnh, Lin Tng. Nhng n gia th k XIX,

nhng biu hin, c trng ca tng tng phi li rt m nht. Tuy t

ca cc thin phi ny vn ang tip tc pht trin nhng chng ta rt kh

tm thy i din tiu biu cho tng tng phi bi h khng li tc phm,

khng c nhng du n ni bt trong hot ng hong php, t tng v

phng php tu tp c an xen, ha trn gia cc tng phi. Mt thin

c th nhn s truyn php ca 2-3 t , thuc 2-3 tng phi khc nhau.

Pht gio thi Minh Mng cng khng c xut hin nhng tng phi hay

chi phi mi nh thi L Trn hay thi Trnh Nguyn, cc tng phi c

trong cc th k trc tip tc truyn tha nhng du n rt m nht, khng

to c hot ng hay li t tng ng ch no.

21

4.2. Vai tr Pht gio thi Minh Mng (1820 1840)

4.2.1. Pht gio thi Minh Mng gp phn thu phc nhn tm, ha du

mu thun x hi, cng c vng quyn, n nh t nc

Minh Mng tip nhn ngi vua trong bi cnh x hi phong kin Vit

Nam ang lm vo khng hong, mu thun x hi ht sc gay gt, nim tin

ca nhn dn vo giai cp phong kin thng tr b suy gim nghim trng.

Nh nc trung ng tp quyn mang y tnh chuyn ch, c on, cc

oan do chnh vua Minh Mng thit k trn nn tng ca t tng Nho gio

chng nhng khng gii quyt c tnh trng ri ren trn m cn lm cho

cng thng x hi ngy thm trm trng hn.

Trc nhng kh khn , vua Minh Mng cu vin n tri, n cc

lc lng iu nhin v tt nhin l khng loi tr tn gio. ht gio, mt

tn gio m cht men yn i, ph d tr thnh la chn ti u gip

vua Minh Mng iu ha, cn bng cc mi quan h, gim nhng bc xc

trong nhn dn. i vi dn tc Vit Nam, Pht gio bm u gc r vo

nhiu lnh vc i sng x hi, l nhu cu tm linh ca phn ng ngi

dn Vit. V vy, quan tm ht gio cng chnh l th hin s quan tm

ca triu nh n i sng tinh thn, nhu cu tm linh ca dn chng, l

mt vic lm hp lng dn, nh vy m triu nh n c gn dn

hn, xy dng c nim tin vi nhn dn.

Trit l ca o Pht ch trng bt bo ng cao lng t bi,

khoan dung, gii thch mi vic da vo thuyt lun hi, nghip bo, nhn

qu, a ra qui lut hin gp lnh, gieo nhn no gt qu y. Nhng

iu ny gieo vo trong tm tng ca con ngi v s nhn nhn, cam

chu, khuyn con ngi chp nhn hin ti kh au v l qu ca tin

kip v n cng ha hn v mt kip sau tt p hn. Do , ht gio

cng lm hn ch tinh thn phn khng, u tranh ca qun chng nhn

dn, gim bt nhng xung t x hi.

4.2.2. Pht gio thi Minh Mng gp phn bi p nhng phm cht

tt p v tha mn nhu cu tn ngng tm linh ca dn chng

o Pht khng ch nh tm gng m khi ngi ta oi vo thy

c nhng iu thanh cao, t gt b nhng iu xu xa trong cuc

sng sng thanh thn hn, cao p hn m n cn nh l liu thuc hnh

vi gip con ngi tm n ci thin. N va th thch, va a con ngi

tip cn vi nim an lc ngay trong cuc sng th gian ny. Chnh v l ,

Pht gio thi Minh Mng tip tc th hin c vai tr lan to nhng nh

hng tt p ca n trong i sng tinh thn ca dn tc. Qua , nhng

t tng, o l cn bn ca Pht gio nh lut nhn qu, gio l t bi, tinh

thn hiu ho, hiu sinh, hiu hnh ca o Pht khi dy nhng phm

22

cht tt p y v tha, trong ng v hng thin trong li sng, tnh cch

ca khng ch dn chng m c tng lp vua quan lc by gi.

Triu Minh Mng cng nh nhiu triu i phong kin khc Vit

Nam ch trng ly Nho gio lm nn tng tinh thn ca x hi. Nhng

n lc ny, cc hc thuyt tam cng, ng thng, ng lun cao trt t,

ch trng l gio vi nhng khun vng thc ngc ca Nho gio tr

nn x cng, li thi khin cho i sng nhn dn tr nn ht sc bc bi,

g b. Trong khi , ht gio vi thuyt nhn qu, ha phc, v thng

li gip nhn dn tm c s che ch ng cm trong cnh i cn nhiu

gian kh, kh au, gip h c c nim tin tng lai tt lnh, c thm

sc mnh tinh thn trong cuc mu inh. V vy, d lc ny c nhiu

thit ch tn ngng ngi dn gi gm nim tin, cu nguyn th ngi

ch a vn l trung tm tn ngng quan trng ca h.

4.2.3. Pht gio thi Minh Mng kin to nn cc gi tr vn ha vt

th c sc, gp phn pht trin nn vn ha, ngh thut ng thi

Di thi Minh Mng, nhiu ngi c t c c nh nc v

dn chng hp sc tr ng hng, tr nn quy m v khang trang hn; mt

s ch a c dng mi khng ch p v cnh quan m cn mang y

tnh thm m trong kin trc xy dng, tr thnh nhng i danh lam

thng cnh ni ting c nc, trong , p v mang nhiu ngha ngh

thut nht phi k n ch a Thnh Duyn (Hu).

Ch a Thnh Duyn to lc ni Thu Vn, nay thuc lng Hin An,

x Vinh Hin, huyn h Lc, tnh Tha Thin Hu. Ngi ch a ny mang

m nt phong cch kin trc triu Nguyn theo kt cu trng thim ip

c vi nhiu lp lang mm mi, thanh tao. Thm vo , c m Cu Hai

lm tin n, ni Thy Vn lm hu chm lm cho ngi ch a c a th ta

n hng thy v c ng p m t ni no c c. S kt hp hi ha

gia cc khi kin trc vi mnh mng ca my tri nc bic, c cy hoa

l khin bt c ai n vi ch a cng c th cm nhn ci tnh l ng, u nhn

ca chn thin mn, quyn ha nhun nh gia thin nhin v con ngi.

Chnh v p trong cnh quan, kin trc ca quc t Thnh Duyn to

nn cm hng thi ca cho khng t du khch khi n ving ch a. Ngi c t

ny cng vinh d c vua Thiu Tr xp vo hng danh thng th 9 ca

t kinh .

Khi ni n cc gi tr vn ha ht gio thi Minh Mng s tht thiu

t nu khng nhc n chung ch a. Khng ch l php kh quan trng ca

Pht gio m bng bn tay ti hoa ca ngi th, chung ch a cn l tc

phm ngh thut mang ch nhiu gi tr.. V kiu dng v trang tr, bn

cnh mt s chung mang kiu dng v hoa vn trang tr thi L v Ty

23

Sn, th phn ln chung thi Minh Mng nh hnh c phong cch

ring, v tr thnh khun mu chung cho chung ng c thi Nguyn.

l chung thng c thn hnh tr, cao, thnh ng, vai gn vung, ming

loe rng, khng trang tr, dt hai cp. Hnh rng lm quai c ui xon trn

hnh bng hoa, ho c c tua di, vy lng rng sc nhn.

Ging nh chung ch a, tng th trong Pht gio cng rt giu tnh

ngh thut. Di thi Minh Mng, tng Pht c tu to kh nhiu v

nh hnh c phong cch ring, gp phn to nn a dng cho ngh

thut tc tng ca dn tc. Nu o nh vi dng tng Pht gio Vit

Nam trong cc thi k trc v au nh Nguyn th tng Pht thi Minh

Mng c mt s thng nht v m t hnh th, khun m t v cch x l

tng a chiu: tng trn ch khng phng dt, m t bu, thn hnh thp

l n, tay chn mm mm, cc hnh thc trang tr trn tng cng gim bt

nhiu, dng v gn gi, thun phc, hn nhin n ng ngh. Chng ta d

dng cm nhn c iu ny qua cc pho tng c ch to vo nm

Minh Mng th 17 (1836) ti ch a Thnh Duyn (Hu). Ngay c cc tng

La Hn y cng c dng ngi rt tha mi, nt m t hn nhin v t ch

khng m chiu, khc kh nh thng thy.

Trong nhng ngi ch a thi Minh Mng cn cha ng nhiu gi tr

vn ha vt th khc kt tinh trong cc thp m, bia , khnh , cu i,

honh phi, bin g y thc s l nhng vin ngc v gi khng ch gp

phn a n s pht trin rc r cho nn vn ha ngh thut thi Minh

Mng m cn im t thm cho bn sc vn ha Vit Nam.

KT LUN

1. Di thi Minh Mng, b my hnh chnh t trung ng n a

phng tng bc c hon thin; kinh t, vn ha, gio dc c nhng

bc pht trin; lnh th quc gia c hon ton thng nht t Bc ch

Nam. Tuy nhin, lc ny t nc li phi i m t vi nguy c b xm lc

bi cc nc thc dn phng Ty; tnh hnh x hi vn ht sc bt n vi

nhiu cuc ni dy chng i triu nh ca nng dn v cc dn tc thiu

s. Trong bi cnh , i vi tn gio, vua Minh Mng tip tc cng c

a v c tn ca Nho gio, ngn cm Cng gio, nhng li to iu kin

cho Pht gio pht trin trong s kim ot ca nh nc. Trong khi nng

Pht gio, vua Minh Mng quan tm pht trin c th t, hu i cc

ngi Quc t, coi trng nghi l, ch qun l, nng cao cht lng i ng

tng, nhng li b ng vn t tng, hc l, kinh in. D c u

i, nhng ht gio giai on ny khng th c c v tr nh cao nh

24

thi L Trn m ch c th ng au Nho gio, h tr Nho gio trong vic

cng c vng quyn, tr v t nc.

2. Sau nhiu th k a t do tnh trng chin tranh, chia ct ca t

nc, c th ni n thi Minh Mng, Pht gio c chn hng vi s

ra i ca hng lot ngi i t, ch a chin c ng nhiu php tng, php

kh c mi tng lp x hi nhit tm tr ng tu, tn to, cc inh hot Pht

gio c t chc thng xuyn, tng c triu nh trng vng ban

chc tc c ng nhiu hu i, kinh in c u tm, khc in vi s

lng ln. Tuy nhin, trong pht trin y vn tim n nhng yu t

bt n khi m pht trin ca i sng vt cht li khng c ng chiu vi

s pht trin v tinh thn, v t tng, hc l; din mo khi sc li c

to dng khng phi ch yu t ni lc ca chnh ht gio m phn nhiu

do s tr lc, ngoi h ca triu nh. S pht trin thiu cn bng c ng

nhng tc ng t thi , ng x ca triu i, v bi cnh lch s hnh

thnh Pht gio thi Minh Mng nhng c im ring bit bn cnh

nhng c im chung, ph qut ca Pht gio Vit Nam. l m nt

ca tnh dn gian d chu nhiu tc ng ca yu t cung nh; m rng

hot ng hong php, thun li trong giao lu, hi nhp gia Pht gio

cc v ng min trong phm vi c nc; s pht trin trn phng din vt

cht nhng li chng li v hc l.

3. Du c nhng khc bit nhng ht gio thi Minh Mng tip tc

k tha v th hin c vai tr ca mnh trong i sng chnh tr, vn ha

t nc th k XIX, tr thnh yu t quan trng gip triu nh thu phc

nhn tm, ha du mu thun x hi, cng c vng quyn, n nh t

nc, gp phn bi p nhng phm cht tt p, tha mn nhu cu tn

ngng tm linh ca dn chng v nht l kin to nn cc gi tr vn

ha vt th c sc, gp phn pht trin nn vn ha, ngh thut ng

thi.

4. Nghin cu Pht gio Vit Nam thi Minh Mng vi tt c nhng

im tch cc v hn ch ca n gip chng ti c rt c mt s bi

hc kinh nghim c th vn dng cho thc tin i sng v qun l tn gio

hin nay, l: cn ch trng pht trin hc l, nng cao trnh Pht hc

cho Tng v tn Pht gio; tng cng qun l nh nc trong hot

ng v t chc ca Pht gio; cn quan tm gi gn, tn to cc di n vn

ha ht gio.

25

HEADING

1. REASON FOR CHOOSING THE SUBJECT:

1.1. Minh Mang dynasty has left his mark on the nation's history with

many achievements in administrative reform, cultural and educational

developments, territorial unity and protection of the country's

sovereignty. As for religion, as oppose to Confucianism which was

considered as orthodox ideology, aiming to propaganda and confirm its

unique position, Minh Mang dynasty was still friendly and open towards

Buddhism. Under the Minh Mang dynasty, Buddhism was actually

prospering, not just developing in appearance, size, but also confirmed its

role in cultural and political life in contemporary society. Therefore, this is

a development stage that cannot be ignored when studying Buddhism

history in Vietnam.

1.2. Until now, although there has been some research on the history of

Buddhism in Vietnam, Buddhism under Minh Mang dynasty is often not

mentioned. In some cases it is only introduced a summary way, referred to

a single aspect or shortly discussed. So, it can be affirmed that there have

yet been any fundamental and systematic works about the study of

Buddhism under Minh Mang Dynasty. The questions posed regarding the

appearance, characteristics and the roles of Buddhism in this period still

remain vacant.

1.3. Today, Vietnamese Buddhism with policy "Dharma - Ethnic -

Socialism" is making a positive contribution to the cause of national

defense and socio-economic development of the country. However, the

development of Buddhism also raises some issues that need more thorough

research. Besides the positive sides, the Vietnam Buddhism currently also

has deviant manifestations, which are not only contrary to the policies,

guidelines and regulations of the Communist Party and the government, but

also go against the aims and the true purpose of Buddhism, destabilize

social order and cause damages to the reputation of Buddhism itself. Hence,

practices which make the study of the history of Buddhism in Vietnam,

especially its development phases become urgent and demands significant

theoretical and practical research. It does not only help us to clarify many

important issues of history, national culture, but also enrich the scientific

basis for the policies of the Party and State for Buddhism. In addition, it

also helps the religion itself draw lessons and experience from the past to

develop in a sustainable way in accordance with their religious practice

26

guidelines. For that reason, the topic of "Vietnam Buddhism under Minh

Mang dynasty (1820 - 1840) "is chosen for this doctoral thesis.

2. STUDYS SUBJECTS AND SCOPE

- Objects of dissertation research is Vietnam Buddhism under Minh

Mange dynasty (1820-1840).

- Spatial scope of the thesis is the whole country, which focuses on three

central Buddhist centers: Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh city.

- The time frame is under Minh Mang dynasty, from 1820 to 1840.

- The scope of this thesis is only Buddhism practices within the

Vietnamese community. This thesis does not cover the study of Buddhism

in other ethnic communities in Vietnam during the same period.

3. STUDY OBJECTIVES

The tudy title "Vietnam Buddhi m under Minh Mang dynasty (1820-

1840)" is aiming to rebuild an overview of Buddhism in Minh Mang

dynasty; in order to show the prosperity of Buddhism during this period. At

the same time, the thesis also aims to point out the characteristics and the

roles of Buddhism in the social life at that time; thereby draw historical

lessons for the management and mobilization of resources to the cause of

religious building and protecting the country in the current context. To

achieve this purpose, this thesis undertook the following tasks:

- Analyzing the national scene early nineteenth century; stating and

analyzing Buddhism policies under Minh Mang dynasty (1820 1840).

- Representing fundamentally Vietnam Buddhism under Minh Mange

dynasty, noting the impact of government policy on the development of

contemporary Buddhism in reality.

- Clarifying the role and characteristics of Vietnam Buddhism under

Minh Mang dynasty, from which to draw useful experience for today.

4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The author uses two main methods: historical method and logical

method. Besides, due to the nature of the subject, we also applied research

methods used in the fields of archaeology, ethnical arts, ethnography,

religion tudie to examine the monument , relic , architecture, and the

etiquettes of worship. In addition, the thesis also uses the comparison

method in both diachronic and synchronic perspectives, statistical methods

and methods of fieldwork.

5. THESIS CONTRIBUTIONS

27

- The first contribution of the thesis was to produce documents about the

Buddhism under Minh Mang dynasty systematically, extensively, which

contains diverse types and has high historical values.

- The thesis has proven the prosperity of Buddhism under Minh Mang in

several facets. This is a new contribution because since a long history,

Buddhism researchers have claimed that before the nineteenth century till

the Buddhist revival movement of the early twentieth century, Buddhism in

Vietnam has declined and faced crisis. In addition, the thesis also

contributed to reassess the policies of the Nguyen Dynasty in general and

Ming Mang Dynasty in particular regarding to Buddhism.

- A further contribution of the thesis is to point out specific

characteristics, and at the same time confirming the positive aspects of

Buddhism in Minh Mang, thereby, contributing to fill the gap in historical

research of Buddhist nations. Simultaneously, it also helps clarify the

important roles of Buddhism not only in the past but also in the cause of

building and defending the country today.

- The results of the research will also give state agencies the useful

lessons learned in building guidelines, policies and appropriate solutions to

manage religions. At the same time, it is also the basis for Buddhist

organizations and local people to continue to inherit the traditions and to

join hands with the government to foster the development of Buddhism in

the new context.

6. LAYOUT OF THE THESIS

In addition to Introduction, Conclusion, List of relevant scientific

publishes, References, Appendix, the main content of the thesis is divided

into four chapters.

- Chapter 1: Overview

- Chapter 2: Policies for Buddhism under Minh Mang dynasty

(1820-1840)

- Chapter 3: The situation of Vietnam Buddhism under Minh

Mange dynasty (1820-1840)

- Chapter 4: Characteristics and roles of Vietnam Buddhism under

Minh Mang dynasty (1820-1840) (Minh Mang).

Chapter 1: OVERVIEW

28

1.1. Literature review

1.1.1. Old bibliographic sources

* Formal bibliography

Mainstream bibliographical resources used in the thesis are Chau Ban

trieu Nguyen and the book by historians and government officials under the

Nguyen dynasty such as the Kham Dinh Dai Nam hoi dien su le, Dai Nam

thuc luc, Minh Mang chinh yeu, Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi The e are the

best materials for this thesis, as they contain information relating to the

attitudes and policies of the dynasty toward Buddhism, recorded the

building and rebuilding of temple , regulation and ritual and additional

staffing problems for the temples. However, when using this data for our

references, we also compared with other data sources, especially document

from fieldworks, in order to avoid the one-sided view point perceived by

the historians of the Nguyen Dynasty.

*The ancient Buddhist

In order to examine the history of Buddhism in Vietnam medieval

period, we also exploit the resources of Buddhism written and compiled in

ancient Chinese characters by the monks and the Vietnamese Buddhists

such as Dao Giao Nguyen Luu, Ham Long Son Chi, Ngu Hanh Son Luc

In addition, we also use some ancient Chinese texts such as: the Holy

Temple pneumatically statistical life by Thanh Thai Duyen, written records

of ancient mountain god by Kim Phong Dinh in 1830, Statistics and

embellished record of Phuoc Lam temple of by Zen masters Le Van,

written in 1923. These are valuable materials reflecting the situations of

Buddhism under Minh Mang referenced in this thesis.

1.1.2. Ancient inscriptions sources

We particularly appreciate the material inscriptions, mainly epitaphs

(temple, tower) and royal bells created under Minh Mang. Until now, much

of those materials are still present in the temples, towers; but also some

steles that were destroyed long ago, or just a few lines with unclear

inscriptions. However, with these cases, we still have the opportunity to

exploit, thanks to the research conducted by the Institute of Far Eastern

printed before 1945, now archived at the Library of Han Nom Research

Institute. Simultaneously, it was also photographed and printed to introduce

to the readers in massive book collections named The General Collection of

Han Nom Inscription published by Hanoi Culture- Information publisher,

in 2009. At the same time, in recent years, researchers have been also

collecting, sorting and translating a large number of Han Nom inscriptions

29

such as inscriptions on Hue temple, Vietnam Han Nom inscriptions, on the

bells from Nguyen dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty inscriptions (selection),

Han Nom Thang Long Hanoi Heritage, Hue Folk Han- Nom inscriptions

on grave tone Through the e ource , the Buddhi t activitie in rural

place, as well as the belief of people in Buddhism are reflected in a very

vivid way.

1.1.3. Resources from scientific research

This thesis referred to the reasoning- research books about religion in

general such as: Ho Chi Minh on the subject of religions and beliefs,

Reasoning about religion and the religiou ituation in Vietnam,and

Religious issues in Vietnam's revolution- reasoning and practices. These

works are considered to be the foundation in terms of theory in the study of

religion in general and Buddhism in particular.

Other reference materials used in length of this thesis are: the research

of Buddhist history in Vietnam or in the local area by Nguyen Lang, The

Institute of Philosophy, Nguyen Hien Duc, Tran Hong Lien, Thich Mat

The, Thich Nhu Tinh, Thich Dong Duong; and the book , cientific

articles, dissertations and thesis writings about Buddhism during the

Nguyen Dynasty by Phan Doan, Nguyen Van Kiem, Do Bang, Nguyen

Canh Minh, Le Cung, Do Thi Hoa Hoi, Phan Thu Hang, Nguyen Ngoc

Quynh, Ta Quoc Khanh

1.1.4. Fieldwork resources

The thesis also applied resources as a result of the actual fieldwork that

the authors carried out in 2013, 2014, 2015. It includes oral document

providing by indigenous people, surveys, records about the monuments,

relics, ways of worship in the temple, geographical landscape and

architectural works. The information and materials helped reflect the

contents which the written document did not mention, at the same time,

they are also our basis for comparison and evaluation of the accuracy of

these resources.

1.2. Historical research issues

1.2.1. Research situation of domestic issues

* The period before 1975

Before 1975, among the studies of Buddhism in Vietnam, the most

notable study is the French article published in the Journal of The Hue

Citadel friends (BAVH). Since each author only studied a specific temple

for a time frame of several centuries, the period related to Minh Mang

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Dynasty was mentioned very briefly for about 1-2 pages. Therefore, those

findings about this subject were fragmented and localized.

Along with the French, the Vietnamese Buddhists also increased interest

in compiling early Buddhist history, notably including the Vietnam

Buddhist history works of authors Thich Mat The. This work has identified

the significant perspectives about Nguyen Dynasty Buddhism.

* The period from 1975 to present

Since after the country was fully independent (1975) until now, there

have been many studies related to Buddhism in Vietnam with many levels

and from many different approaches that have been published. As a

development stage of the Vietnamese Buddhism, Buddhism under Minh

Mang was also mentioned briefly, as an overview in some of the works and

articles. There are also some Monks or temples of Minh Mang selected as

the main objects of study by several authors. In summary, those research

projects can be categorized into the following groups:

* Research projects on Vietnam Buddhism in general:

The studies of Buddhism in Vietnam published in recent years included

hundreds of works and articles, but of which only a few were about

Buddhism under Minh Mang, or have related information, such as Vietnam

Buddhist historicist, History of Buddhism in Vietnam and Vietnamese

pagodas.

* Group of Buddhist studies regarding to regions or localities

In 1995, the works of Buddhism in the Vietnamese community in the

South - Vietnam from the seventeenth century to 1975 by Tran Hong Lien

was published to clarify the process of introduction and development of

Southern Buddhism with the unique characteristics of the new lands. The

roles of Buddhism in the life of the community there were also analyzed

and interpreted with arguments and relevant documentation, thereby

clarifying the local and national characteristics of Southern Buddhism.

In 2001, Thich Hai An and Ha Xuan Liem published Buddhist History

of Hue and four years later, the author Ha Xuan Liem released a book

named The Buddhist pagodas in Hue. The two works have a clear reflection

of Hue Buddhism through the ups and downs of history. Specifically, the

temple tower systems are described in meticulous detail with specific

illustrations and clear interpretations about the history. Nguyen dynasty is

considered the revival period of Hue Buddhism, therefore drawing a lot of

attentions from the authors.

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A son of the land of Quang Nam - Thich Nhu Tinh painstakingly

gathered materials, research and published works named Quang Monk

luggage (2008)) and History of Rinzai Zen sect heritage (2009) contributed

to unravel the history of formation and development of international Rinzai

Zen sect as well as the historical process of Quang Nam Buddhism. Some

monks belonging to this sect who lived and practiced their faith under Minh

Mang were also introduced by the author from reliable sources.

In both 2014 and 2015, Lieu Quan Buddhist Cultural Center (Hue) has

published consecutive thematic about Thuy Duyen national pagoda on Van

mountain (Hue) (No. 3), Zhenhai Temple on Linh Thai Mountain (Hue)

(No. 4), the ancient pagodas in Quang Binh province (No. 5), and Hue

Buddhist woodblock heritages (No. 6). The posts in this topic revealed

many new discoveries in both content and documentation.

* Group studied about Nguyen dynasty Buddhism

Since the scientific conference on the first Nguyen dynasty (1992) was

held, there have been gradually more and more national and international

scholars who are interested in researching about the related issues under the

Nguyen Dynasty. During this seminar, Tran Hong Lien had an article

"About Buddism under Nguyen dynasty". 12 pages of the article outlined

the basic features of Buddism under Nguyen dynasty, in which specially

emphasized on the development of the temple tower systems and the re-

organization of life tyle activitie of Buddhi m

In 1993, the author named Nguyen Van Kiem wrote an article "The

religious policy of the Nguyen in early nineteenth century" published in the

Journal of Historical Research. In 1996, Phan Dai Doan also introduced "A

few points about belief and religion in Vietnam in 19th century". That same

year, the author Le Cung also wrote "The Buddhism policy of the Nguyen

Dynasty and its contradiction to reality.". These articles analyzed the

contradictions between policy proscription and restrictions of the Nguyen

Dynasty Buddhism (mainly in the times of Tu Duc and Long Gia reigns)

with strong practical development of Buddhism in folk, thereby drawn

some characteristics of Buddhism in this period.

As a result of dissatisfaction with the results of research already, in

2006, author Do Bang again chose the topic "On the religious policy of the

Nguyen Dynasty, the historical experience" as a subject of his research.

Among a few direct religious studies under Minh Mang, the article "The

policy of Ming Mang for religions and its significance in the history of

Vietnam" (2009) co-authored by Do Thi Hoa Hoi and Phan Thi Thu Hang

32

is very noticeable. The new points of the article are initially showing the

impacts of the domestic and international situations to the formation of

religious policy of King Minh Mang and separating policies by King Minh

Mang with those of the other King in the Nguyen Dynasty.

1.2.2. Research conducted abroad

To serve the purpose of invasion and domination, the French have had

several studies of Vietnam, which have a number of research works on

Buddhism, such as: Sami with Bouddhisme en Indochine (1921); author

G.Coulet with Religions de l'Indochine et Cultes Annamite (1929); author

P.Gheddo with Bouddhi te Catholique et au Vietnam (1970)

The Vietnamese study in China recently also has many research about

Vietnam under Nguyen dynasty such as Vietnamese history by the two

authors Guo Zhen Dat and Cheung Siu Mai (2001), the philosophical

thought of the Minh Menh king of Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam" written by

the scholar Du Minh Khiem.

1.2.3. The problems inherited from the published thesis research

Since the study was published, we can inherit a number of findings as

follows:

- Firstly, the research methodology for Buddhist history.

- Secondly, data systems on Buddhist Temples of Vietnam and locally.

- Thirdly, findings about Vietnam Buddhist situation before the Minh

Mang

- Fourth, the re ult of re earch on the dyna ty Buddhi m.

1.2.4. The issues raised need further study

Since the topic caught interest from scholars earlier, so far only a few

issues related to Vietnamese Buddhism under Minh Mang were

learnt. Therefore, the issues raised that need to be studied further are:

Firstly: clarifying the historical context and policies toward Buddhism

in the Ming Mang period as well as reviewing the advantages and

limitations of the policy.

Secondly: systematic presenting Buddhism in Vietnam under Minh

Mng time, in which the note clarifies the issue: the basis of worship,

rituals, scriptures and the notable monks.

Thirdly: analyzing the outstanding features of the Vietnamese Buddhism

during King Minh Mang period through comparisons to Buddhism in other

historical periods and to other religions. Proving and confirming the roles

of Buddhism in political, cultural and social lives under Minh Mang.

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Fourthly: from studying Buddhism under Minh Mang, it is essential to

review and re-assess the advantages and limitations of this Buddhism

period, hence drawing the necessary lessons and making recommendations

for individuals, religious organizations and management in general and

Buddhism in particular to help accomplish this tasks more effectively.

1.3. Overview of Buddhism in Vietnam before the Minh Mang

Since the country is completely independent until the Gia Long reign,

Vietnamese Buddhism has the same rise with the ups and downs of the

history of the nation. In that process, Buddhism has had many contributions

to the security of the country and the dynasties. However, the attitude of the

government for Buddhism is not completely uniform. Apart from being in

favor and respected, Buddhism was also being skeptical and

neglected. However, for the regular people, in any stage, Buddhism always

occupied an important position, as indispensable spiritual needs in the very

arduous and risky life.

CHAPTER 2:

POLICIES TOWARDS BUDDHISM IN MINH MANG DYNASTY

(1820-1840)

2.1. The early historical context of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 -

1840)

Being established during the time where the domestic and international

context had undergone many changes, the Nguyen continued the

restoration, consolidation of central feudalism based on Confucian

doctrine. Since the Western world and Catholic were considered as a

potential threat to national security, the King of the Nguyen went from

indifferent attitude to limit, and then finally to enforce policies prohibiting

and killing religions regardless, together with limiting its trading activities

with Western countries. Although the country's economy had been

developed, and people's lives had been partly improved, there were still

much social uncertainties and the people still did not really have a peaceful

life. In this context, the positive elements of Buddhism, Taoism and

traditional beliefs were exploited by the kings of the Nguyen dynasty to

lead the country. As a result, during the nineteenth century, the religious

belief which already had a long life in our country continued to spread and

develop in our peoples lives.

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2.2. Overview of life and career of King Minh Mang

Minh Mang birth name wa huc Dam, he i the fourth on of King

Gia Long and Queen Thuan Thien Tran Thi Dang. He had a brother from

the same father named Prince Canh Phuc. Minh Mang was born on April

23rd

in Xinhai years (25-5-1791) at Hoat Le Village, Gia Dinh province. In

1793, when prince Phuc Dam reached the age of 3, Nguyen Anh (name of

King Gia Long) gave hime to Queen Thua Thien Cao ( rince huc Canh

mother) for adoption. In 1820, Prince Phuc Dam was crowned, took the

Minh Mang reign.

Despite the fact that Prince Phuc Dam was not the first son, King Gia

Long still appointed him as a successor when he was just 25 years old.

Minh Mang did meet his father's expectations. He always understood his

responsibilities, diligently took many books to teach himself about leading

the country. During his years in power, King Minh Mang has done a lot for

the country, of which the most notable achievements including the

administrative reform, strengthen unity and national sovereignty, and his

contribution to the country cultural and educational development.

King Minh Mang passed away on December 28th in the Snake year,

Lunar calendar (a.k.a 20th January, 1841 according to Western calendar) at

Quang Minh Palace, at the age of 50. Before his death, he appointed Prince

Mien Tong as a successor (later called King Thieu Tri).

2.3. Buddhism policies in Minh Mang dynasty (1820-1840)

2.3.1. Development of worship places

While King Gia Long limited and controlled the construction and

restoration of the monasteries, his successor-King Minh Mng in contra t

was very active in the development of Buddhist worship facilities. For

more than 20 years, he has had built new and renovated dozens of ancient

pagodas. Besides, he also supported for locals to renovate the pagodas in

many localities throughout the country.

Not only Minh Mang himself, but also the royal family of King Minh

Mang and his officials also supported strongly the restoration of temples.

Regarding to normal people lives, the support for Buddhism was the

same. Village temple re toration and new con truction activitie took

place bustlingly in many rural areas. Minh Mang temples, as a result, have

been grown rapidly as many valuable ancient pagodas which had cultural

and historical value were restored, put into conservation, and protected

against the degradation risks by the effects of unexpected weather and

35

people. Many temples were built by imperial investments in large scale,

becoming a scenic beauty embellished by Vietnam nature.

2.3.2. Implementation of the subsidy system for National pagodas

National pagoda is the temple directly constructed, reconstructed and

managed by the imperials. During Minh Mang, the imperial temple was

devoted more attention and good treatment. Monks in China temples were

exempt from taxation and collection services, granted monthly salaries for

spending, religious customs, rice, salts ...

The National Shrines were also granted full funding, food and

necessities to serve the organization of ceremonies. Ritual offerings were

tested very specifically in terms of quantity, weight, forms, rules and

regulations. For some national pagodas located far away from the capital,

the court took a part of the land belonging to farming villages to the

temples, part of this land were exempt from duty and assigned to the temple

or the local villagers to manage in return of the yields spent for the worship

management costs.

National pagodas were where Buddhism spread nationally. The well

treatments of Minh Mang Dynasty for those temples were also the

recognitions and supports for the development of Buddhist religious life of

the nation. Moreover, the majority of the national temples right in Hue

capital where most of the population followed Buddhism, the care for the

national temple was also a way of paying attention to the spiritual life of

the people. Since then, the court can obtain the trust and supports of the

people and contribute to stabilizing the country.

2.3.3. Respecting Buddhist rituals.

Not only subsidizing for the organization of the daily rituals at the

temples, the court also directly hosted several important rituals of

Buddhism, of which the largest scale of organization and the highest

number of times held was the requiem ceremony. In the 20 years reign of

King Minh Mang, the court has organized the requiem ceremony in the

temples more than 10 times.

Despite being a Buddhist ritual, the requiem ceremony was organized

by the court. Therefore, in this event, most of the members of the royal

family, officials in the government and the king were to attend this

ceremony. All the preparations, arrangements and organizations were

directly undertaken by imperial agencies. The Chau ban record of the

requiem ceremony has revealed roles and responsibilities of each agency in

organizing this ceremony.

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The funding for the organizations of the requiem ceremony were from

the treasury. In requiem ceremony, the government usually ordered for

firing 62 shots, but after the requiem ceremony at Linh huu quan (1837),

paper bullets were used instead to ensure safety.

2.3.4. Closely manage monks

Monks played a decisive role in the spread and development of

Buddhism, therefore, besides the well-treatments, King Minh Mang was

also very attentive in managing this team through categorizing and testing

monks, distributed, circulated monks at the temples, as well as his own

regulations on ethics and lifestyle of the monks.

As the previous period, during Minh Mang, the do diep (a certificate

for the monk) remain the main tool for managing the tate religiou

forces. However, in order to obtain that certificate, the monks needed to

gather in the capital to be tested and certified by the Ministry of Rites as a

religious man, upholding the precepts and understanding Buddhism. After

getting the certificate, the monks were free to conduct Buddhism rituals and

exempt from taxes and labor. Over 20 years, King Minh Mang organized

the tests 3 times, in the year of 1830, 1835, 1840. This work showed the

efforts of King Minh Mang in the management of monks. Testing

knowledge in order to find the best monks was a necessary job to create the

conditions for them to act, at the same time excluding the guys who were

not really learning from monasteries, which resulted in many positive

effects to Buddhist activities at the time.

During the reign of Minh Mng, though the King till appointed

different religious positions, as well as treating the monks very well, the

monk could not participate in political activities or consult the country's

critical work. De pite how brilliant the monk were, they werent a igned

with state affairs. Their talents were limited to within the temples with the

main task of caring for the spiritual life of the faithful. Therefore, their roles

as well as their contributions were also very limited in comparison with the

previous periods. With a bureaucratic centralized-feudal state based on

Confucianism ideology as Minh Mang Dynasty, the withdrawals of the

monks from the political scene is understandable.

Not only interested in human problems of the monasteries, the Court

was also very attentive to ethics and lifestyles of Buddhist monks. They

were required to comply with the rules on dress, were heavily sanctioned if

they had wives, or required to break off with their parents and bear heavier

penalties than the ordinary people when found guilty. These rules clearly

37

expressed the requests of the Nguyen dynasty in general and Ming Mang

reign in particular for the monks, which is not only their understanding of

Buddhism, but as the person who has more dignity, pure and clean

lifestyles, accepts to abandon worldly desires for the exemplary life,

thereby inspiring the faithful.

Many people suggested that the strict management of monks and

Buddhism controls were the approaches to limit the growth of this religion.

However, in our opinion, this job did not make Buddhist decline at all, but

resulting in the opposite. It was the management of the court that helped

restore more structured team of monks who had Buddhism qualifications,

and virtuous, avoided the forced laboring service escapers or the one who

abused Buddhism as a place to do things against the government,

contributing to put Buddhist life into order. This was useful works for

Buddhism that enhanced the development of this religion.

In short, from the King Minh Mang's growing interest in temples,

respecting Buddhist rituals, performing subsidy regime for National

pagodas to closely manage monks, it could be asserted that government

policies of the king to Buddhism was to create conditions for its

development in the control of the state.

CHAPTER 3:

BUDDHISM IN VIETNAM UNDER MINH MANG DYNASTY

(1820-1840)

3.1. Places of worship

3.1.1. State Temples

Throughout the hi tory, many of the temple built by King Minh Mng

have disappeared due to wars and natural disasters (Giac Hoang, Khai

Tuong, Vinh An...), with the rest also no longer in their original

architecture, most having been changed during restoration. Nevertheless,

scattered notes from official historical records of the Nguyen dynasty,

paintings, word of mouth from the monks and description of western priests

coming to Vietnam during this period show that temples built or renovated

under the supervision of the dynasty were often relatively large-

scale architectural ensembles. They consisted of many different

components, with the basis always being: the three-simpler gate; the

courtyard; the main building, usually with 3 compartments, 2 wings, and

corridors on either sides; an 3 compartment - 2 wing pavilion containing

38

bells and drums or the Guardian pavilion, monk rooms and

kitchen. Surrounding the temples were brick walls. In addition, the temples

also had towers, attics, rock mosaics, lotus ponds... For those frequently

visited by the King, there was also place for the King to stay in overnight,

as in Mount Thuy Van (Hue), Ngu Hanh Son (Quang Nam), or Khai Tuong

Temple (Gia Dinh). Not only palatial and large-scale, the majority of these

temples were wonderfully located, blended in with mountains, rivers and

greenery, which explains why these were not only for worshiping but also

beautiful sceneries further adorning the country.

Along with the construction of monasteries, State temples also

contained many Buddhist statues and instruments created during the

restoration or establishment phases. Under the reign of Minh Mang,

religious statues in the State temples were often very diverse and plenty,

mainly made of precious materials such as copper, gold, timber, thus many

are still preserved until today.

3.1.2. Village temples

Under the Minh Mang dynasty, if the King, the royal family and royal

court zealously created new temples in the capital, donated generously for

the renovation of ancient temples, the shares of civilian population in

village temples were not inferior. Unlike State temples, these village

temples were not only Buddhist places of worship but also cultural center

of the village, to meet cultural and spiritual needs of the masses.

Vietnamese people had the saying: "land of the king, temple of the village"

implying the connection between villages and temples; if the land under the

sky belonged to the king, the temples belonged to the villagers who

constructed and managed them. Therefore, regardless of the reign, the

construction of temples was the collective effort of the whole village or

commune. The Minh Mang dynasty was no exception. This is shown very

clearly in the general intelligence. The number of donators for temples

were not small, from a few dozen to several hundred. Contribution to the

temples varied but they showed sincerity and the faith to Buddhism.

Compared to State temples, village temples were less solid, using more

crude materials, which meant lower durability. Upon the impact of harsh

weather and human beings, the majority of village temples went under

much restoration, repair. Some even disappeared, causing difficulty in

identifying the architecture under the Ming Mang dynasty if solely based

on the village temples. Luckily worshiping statues from this period are still

kept in many localities. Basically, objects of worship in village temples

39

resemble State temples, with some additional features such as the Holy