TRAN NHAN TONG’S VISION IN DOCTRINE “CU TRAN LAC DAO”

Abstract

Tran Nhan Tong is a Great King, a national hero, and the enlightened Zen master of the Truc Lam Zen School of Vietnamese Buddhism. Like the Buddhists in the Tran Dynasty, with his belief in Buddhism, Tran Nhan Tong considered himself Buddha because Buddha is not far away, and everyone should live and act like Buddha. On the basis of the deep understanding of Buddhist practices, King Tran Nhan Tong built the doctrine Cu tran lac dao (Living Amid Dust and Enjoying the Way) to initiate the patriotism spirit and to link the implementation of Zen Buddhism teachings in the citizens’ everyday life. After it was established, operated, and integrated into practical life, this doctrine became an ultimate policy throughout the Ly – Tran Dynasties. The article analyzes the formation of the doctrine and interprets its meaning for the spiritual life and the existence and development of society. Besides, the author of the article also develops and relates the doctrine to the establishment of Buddhism with Vietnamese identity and to the building, developing, and defending of the country during the Tran Dysnasty and at the present time.