Illustrative image. (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Various ceremonialactivities will take place in the northern province of Quang Ninh on December 6and 7 to commemorate the 710th anniversary of the death of King–MonkTran Nhan Tong, the founder of Vietnam Zen Buddhism.
According to Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang,Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Executive Council,a ceremony will be held at Ngoa Van Pagoda in Dong Trieu district where King TranNhan Tong entered Nirvana to pay tribute to the King–Monk and pray for therepose of the souls of deceased people.
A grand ceremony to mark his 710th death anniversary will take place at Truc Lam Palace in Uong Bi city on December7.
In addition, the VBS will partner with theVietnam National University, Hanoi and the Quang Ninh People’s Committee toorganise an international workshop on King Tran Nhan Tong and the Truc LamBuddhist sect.
The workshop is expected to bring togethermore than 400 experts from Vietnam and 10 other countries and territories,including the US, France, India and Russia, to discuss values of the King’sideological and cultural heritages from the past to present.
Some 300 free vegetarian meals will be givento visitors who come to pay homage to King Nhan Tong during the two-day event,said Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet, Vice Chairman of the VBS Executive Council.
Tran Nhan Tong,whose real name was Tran Kham, was born in 1258 and died in 1308. He was thethird emperor of the Tran dynasty. Ascending to the throne at the age of 21,the King is famed for defeating Yuan-Mongol invaders twice during his 15-yearreign.
Yet before engaging in battle, he faced a quandary. He understoodthat Buddhism prohibits clergymen from taking the life of any living being. Tokeep his adherence to Buddha's precepts and encourage unity among his people,he rallied the public at the Dien Hong conference to gather their opinions asto whether to fight. Because all of them wanted to combat the enemy, the Kingacted on his people's wishes and drove off the barbarous Yuan army.
After peace came to the country, the King was determined to lead areligious life. In 1293, he abdicated in favour of his son, Tran Anh Tong, and spent the rest of his life on the Yen Tu Holy Mountainin Quang Ninh practising and propagating Buddhism. He founded the Truc LamSchool of Zen, or the Bamboo Forest School.
During that time, the King-Monk worked to unifydifferent sects of Vietnamese Buddhism into Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.
The VBS Central Committee has long observed theday King Tran Nhan Tong attained Nirvana - the first day of the eleventh lunarmonth - as the national anniversary of Vietnamese Buddhism.–VNA
VNA
