The seminar, themed “Preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values of Truc Lam Buddhism” took place in Sung Phuc Monastery in Hanoi’s Gia Lam district, in collaboration with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences.

The seminar aimed to introduce and promote cultural and historical values of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, as well as contributions of King Trần Nhân Tông – Founder of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist School.

During the event, historical relics related to King Trần Nhân Tông and Truc Lam Zen Buddhism were also introduced for analytical assessments and recommendations for preservation and promotion of cultural values of Truc Lam Buddhism’s heritage.

The Trần Nhân Tông Institute was established by a government decision in September 2016 and the institute is tasked with studying the heritage, cultural value and career of King Trần Nhân Tông for providing policy consultations on development, preservation and promotion of the king’s heritage as well as cultural values and thoughts of the Tran Dynasty on Buddhism and social, political issues.

King Trần Nhân Tông (1258-1308), the third king of the Tran Dynasty, ascended the throne when he was just 21. He is famed for defeating Mongol invaders twice during his reign. The King abdicated the throne when peace was restored in the country, and spent the rest of his life on Yen Tu Mountain practising and propagating Buddhism. He founded the Truc Lam School of Zen and worked to unify different Vietnamese Buddhism sects into Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.

Tri An