Overview of the opening ceremony of the workshop "Lieu Quan Zen sect: History of formation and development"

The workshop was co-organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hue , the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Thua Thien Hue province, the Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute, the Institute of Religious Studies and Hue University to commemorate the 281st anniversary of the passing of Patriarch Lieu Quan (1742 - 2023).

Attending the event were Most Venerable Elder Thich Giac Quang - Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Council; Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province Nguyen Thanh Binh; Most Venerable Elders of the Council of Supreme Patriarchs, the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Thua Thien Hue Province; Buddhist monks and nuns from monasteries, Buddhist followers of all walks of life, and many scholars and intellectuals.

The person who revives and promotes the spirit of independence and self-reliance

Sending a letter to the conference, the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang affirmed that, continuing the spiritual source from the predecessors, Patriarch Thiet Dieu Lieu Quan revived and promoted the spirit of independence and autonomy; founded the Lieu Quan Zen sect, which has had a profound influence and has been continuously passed down for the past 300 years, is a bright spot in the tradition of protecting the country and pacifying the people of Buddhism in our country.

History has recorded many vivid examples of that quality through the deeds of the disciples - descendants of the Founder, typically the true monks and patriotic activists of modern times such as Thanh Ke Hue Dang (1873-1953) - the 7th generation, Grand Master Trung Thanh Thien Hao (1911-1997) - the 8th generation of Lieu Quan Zen sect and many others in the South during the two resistance wars for national liberation in the 20th century.

Permanent Vice Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh presented flowers to the conference organizers.

According to the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, it is the profound practice of Patriarch Lieu Quan that has brought about a profound vision, influencing both the leadership and all classes of people. Only when one embodies the true spirit can one have the unhindered power of the Bodhisattva vow, unifying in action for the Dharma and for the Nation; making revolution, helping the world with the soul of a religious person, when one completes one's responsibilities, one returns to the life of a true monk. Therefore, one is respected by all people, all classes, and has a great power to gather the masses.

The Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha expressed his hope that with many favorable conditions, especially in terms of textual materials, the scientific conference "Lieu Quan Zen Sect: History of formation and development" will approach and clarify not only the life but also the career of Patriarch Thiet Dieu Lieu Quan.

According to Venerable Thich Hai An, President of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hue and Head of the Organizing Committee, nearly 300 years ago, Patriarch Thiet Dieu - Lieu Quan founded a new Zen sect in Nam Ha - Dang Trong with strong Vietnamese cultural identity. If the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect founded by Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong was the first Zen sect in Vietnam, then the Lieu Quan Zen sect is the second Vietnamese Zen sect of the nation. What is special is that the inheritance of this Zen sect has been continuously continued and developed along with the footsteps of the Southward expansion, expanding the country's territory.

Continuing to promote the heritage values ​​of the Lieu Quan Zen lineage

Venerable Thich Hai An said that from this Zen sect, the Patriarchs, eminent monks, and Buddhist laymen have devoted themselves to the cause of serving the Dharma and the nation, notably the movement to revive Buddhism, propagate the Dharma and benefit living beings, contributing to the glory of the nation and Vietnamese Buddhism in modern times. Up to now, the Lieu Quan Zen sect has developed widely throughout the country, spreading to many lands abroad, with thousands of pagodas and millions of monks, nuns, and Buddhists.

“During the nearly three centuries of formation and development of the Zen sect, for many different reasons, there has not been an official clarification of the position as well as the great value of the Zen sect’s contribution to the flow of Vietnamese national culture. Therefore, this is the first historical conference on the Zen sect. And this is also an opportunity for generations of descendants of the Founder from all over to return to cultivate spiritual values, connecting the spirit of the Dharma with the wish of the Patriarch’s continued light, the Patriarch’s seal is forever shining”, Venerable Thich Hai An shared.

Hundreds of guests and delegates attended the conference

Speaking at the workshop, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province Nguyen Thanh Binh emphasized that in Thua Thien Hue, in the spirit of continuing, inheriting and promoting the legacy of the Lieu Quan Zen sect, the Buddhist monks and nuns of the province have well fulfilled the mission of propagating the Dharma for the benefit of living beings, guiding Buddhists of all walks of life to practice the Dharma correctly, carry out religious activities in accordance with the Charter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and comply with the laws of the State. In addition, with the spirit of engaging in worldly practice, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of the province, together with authorities at all levels, the people and a large number of monks, nuns and Buddhists, have many activities "benefiting the Dharma and benefiting life", actively participating in the cause of building and developing the country.

According to Mr. Binh, the conference, which will take place in late 2023 and early 2024, is a special event to "review the past and learn the new". "Through this conference, we believe that the VBS in general and Thua Thien Hue Buddhism in particular will continue to promote the heritage values ​​of the Lieu Quan Zen sect in the cause of building the Dharma - Nation, contributing to building the country and homeland to become more and more dignified and beautiful", Mr. Binh expressed.

The conference has 3 main forums: Patriarch Lieu Quan: Life, career and ideological foundation; Lineage and development process of Lieu Quan Zen sect; Inheritance and promotion of Lieu Quan Zen sect heritage. There are more than 120 presentations from monks, nuns, researchers and scholars at home and abroad sent to the conference. Many presentations provide very valuable historical information, with new discoveries contributing to the understanding of the life, career and influence of Patriarch Thiet Dieu Lieu Quan as well as the Zen sect named after him.

NHAT MINH