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The philosophy of "Confucian Governance with Buddhist Compassion" (Cư Nho Mộ Phật)

Central Vietnam's culture stands out for its open-minded spirit that beautifully blends tradition and adaptation, epitomized by the philosophy of "Confucian Governance with Buddhist Compassion", skillfully applied by Vietnamese dynasties in national administration. The Trần and Lê emperors often used Confucianism to structure their bureaucratic systems while grounding their moral foundation in Buddhism, as seen in Trần Nhân Tông's Trúc Lâm Zen School. Notably, the Nguyễn Lords adeptly employed this philosophy during their southward expansion—using Confucianism to stabilize society while embracing indigenous beliefs through Buddhism's inclusive spirit, fostering unity among Vietnamese, Cham, and Khmer communities in the newly settled lands.

At Thiên Mụ Pagoda (Huế), Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu inscribed these verses on its stele:

"Govern with Confucian wisdom,
Cherish Buddhism to ensure smooth governance,
Trust the Dharma—revere the Sangha,
To bring blessings to the people."

Meanwhile, in Quang Nam-Da Nang, a visit to the Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn) reveals sacred Buddhist altars harmoniously coexisting with Cham Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in its caverns—a testament to the region's multilayered cultural continuity and its unique identity.

Join Chan Dat on this journey to celebrate and spread the beauty of Central Vietnam's cultural heritage!

The Journey to the Sacred Valley: Mỹ Sơn and the Echoes of Eternity

Our "Back to Roots" journey led Chan Dat to Mỹ Sơn, a sacred valley that served as the spiritual heart of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Nestled within a deep basin surrounded by towering peaks, the sanctuary stands as a physical manifestation of cosmic dualism: a realm of the Mountains and the "Areca" lineage (the masculine principle) dedicated to the worship of God Bhadresvara-Shiva. Walking among the crimson brick towers, we felt the vibrant pulse of Hinduism dating back to the 4th century, where King Bhadravarman laid the first foundations of this holy ground. Every brick, laid without visible mortar, endures as a testament to the masterful engineering and soulful artistry of the urang Campa, echoing an era when Champa was a pivotal link on the "Maritime Silk Road," trading precious canfi (agarwood) with the far reaches of the East and West.

Despite the scars of centuries-old wars and the eventual fragmentation of the royal dynasties, the majesty of the deities remains etched in every intricate carving. At Mỹ Sơn, Chan Dat observed a unique synthesis where local ancestral beliefs merged with imported religions, transforming kings into deified protectors of the national spirit. This pilgrimage allowed us to deeply grasp the symbolic unity between the Dừa (Coconut) and Cau (Areca) lineages—the Mother and Father, the Sea and Mountain—which creates a singular and immutable Champa identity. We left the valley with profound gratitude for the ancient artisans who transformed labor into an existential ritual, realizing that returning to one's roots is the ultimate way to decode our own inner energy map and enrich our contemporary spiritual life.

The Emotional Flow in Art

American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi studied and described the concept of the "Flow State" as a psychological state where artists or art enthusiasts become fully immersed in the creative process or experience, free from external distractions. It involves intense focus, the maximal use of one’s skills, and a harmonious engagement with the activity—culminating in a positive "loss of self" and transcendent fulfillment. As an art appreciator, Chan Dat also seeks these emotional flow triggers in artworks that evoke such profound immersion.

Now, let’s join Chan Dat on a visit to the Danang Art Fair at the Da Nang Museum!

A RANDOM PAGE OF JUNE - JEAN PAUL SARTRE AND NAUSEA

"Each instant appears only as part of a sequence. I cling to each instant with all my heart: I know that it is unique, irreplaceable— I would not raise a finger to stop it from being annihilated." (Chapter 11, Friday, 3pm)

Reading this sentence, Chân Đất feels it resonates deeply with the Buddhist concept of "Living in the present," though expressed in a more scientific manner. Existential philosophy places humanity at its core—free to experience, decide, and take rational responsibility within the cultural and temporal space surrounding the individual. It is this very sense of responsibility that prevents existential individuals from becoming selfish or superficial.

As a Millennial now approaching their 40s, looking back, Chân Đất realizes that to live youth existentially—to fully embrace that phase of life—one must go through the following elements:

-Wholeheartedness: Youth is a time of health, passions, and goals—pour yourself into doing, creating, executing, contributing, living fully, believing fiercely, and loving deeply.

-Feelings of confusion and alienation: Accept temporary uncertainty, for confusion is the counterpart of wholehearted passion. Sometimes, what we believe is not the truth, and recognizing that is itself a form of maturity.

-Basic responsibilities in relationships, work, and experiences must reach some form of closure. Focusing solely on oneself can easily lead to neglect or forgetting certain connections, so it’s essential to make an effort to stay engaged and observant of all the elements around you.

Life is an ever-changing flow, and Chân Đất wishes to embrace it wholeheartedly—whether in joy or sorrow, even in the desire to hold onto the beauty of existence. What about you? Share your thoughts with Chân Đất!

A RANDOM PAGE OF MAY - FRUIT GATHERING BY RABINDRANATH TAGORE

"I know that at the dim end of some day the sun will bid me its farewell.
Shepherds will play their pipes beneath the banyan trees, and cattle graze on the slope by the river, while my days will pass into the dark.
This is my prayer, that I may know before I leave why the earth called me to her arms.
Why her night's silence spoke to me of stars, and her daylight kissed my thoughts into flower.
Before I go may I linger over my last refrain, completing its music, may the lamp be lit to see your face and the wreath woven to crown you."

Reading this poem, Chân Đất feels that Tagore portrays death in an incredibly poetic and wistful way, filled with a longing for life's beauty. Because of this, he cannot help but savor every remaining beautiful day - where every landscape, sound, and human activity gathers before his eyes. From this love of life springs creativity, making existence more complete and meaningful. This was a random page of poetry Chân Đất happened upon, and it coincidentally resonates deeply with our recent experiences of separation and loss. It feels like a blessing to share this connection with someone who lived over a century ago. Truly, this is the precious gift of books, don’t you think?

If you have a favorite Tagore poem, please share it with Chân Đất!

A RANDOM PAGE OF APRIL - MEDITATION BY MARCUS AURELIUS

"The ruling principle is that which rouses and turns itself, and while it makes itself such as it is and such as it wills to be, it also makes everything which happens appear to itself to be such as it wills." - Meditation 6.8

When reading this sentence, Chan Dat connects with four key concepts based on experience:

1. Priority Order: This refers to identifying what is most valuable and meaningful to us. Depending on your stage in life, age, and overall context, you should focus on solving and developing specific priorities.

2. Losing the Big Picture: When we concentrate solely on achieving your top priority goal (which may lead to some successes), it is easy to overlook other important aspects of life that are also valuable.

3. Reflecting and Adjusting: As clear problems arise, we begin to reflect and reassess our priorities.

4. When observing yourself, you will recognize such repetitive patterns, constantly peeling off the layers, from there delving into the full meaning of life.

And, what are your thoughts?

CHAN DAT DISCOVERY - ART EXHIBITION "NATURE - HUMAN HOI AN"

Chân Đất have just visited this exhibition and enjoyed the artworks created by two talented artists, Khoa Pham and Hồ Son. Their pieces are crafted using traditional lacquer (sơn ta) on coconut paper—a unique and locally rooted medium that reflects both heritage and meticulous artistry.

This exhibition is open to everyone, especially art enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty of culture and nature. Chan Dat felt happy when we immersed ourselves in the poetic, luminous beauty captured through the artists' brushstrokes and their choice of materials.

You can visit Moc Gallery (Hoi An Ancient Town) to see the works and have an interesting conversation with the artist!

Our practitioner lens of Meditation

Buddhist theory emphasizes the pairing of concepts such as "Compassion" with "Wisdom" and "Awareness" with "De-Attachment (Letting Go)" This pairing is crucial because having compassion without wisdom can lead to misunderstanding and repression. Similarly, if someone embraces "Letting Go" without the necessary "Awareness" to recognize their attachments, the act of letting go can be misguided, as we cannot truly let go of what we do not acknowledge. Many individuals struggle with knowing when to repress emotions or let go of attachments, often failing to distinguish between what is right and wrong. This confusion typically arises when a person's understanding of the Way does not "match" with their life experiences.

The Way and Life, with Chan Dat, emphasizes that there is no Way independent of life. Life is clearly defined through the relationships we have, ranging from the closest to the farthest. This includes self-understanding, understanding our parents and siblings, our careers and work, as well as our relationships with friends, colleagues, and society. For Chan Dat, meditation is a method of "exercising the brain" that directly impacts our mindset. It encourages us to delve inward and understand what is happening in our lives. There are various states of experience in meditation; however, we do not focus on trying to explain these experiences directly—such as why we see light, why it feels like we are spinning while meditating, or why strange images appear. Instead, we concentrate on how our understanding and attitude toward relationships in life change after meditation, and what actionable steps we can take to address real-life problems. This is the essence of life that we encounter when we open our eyes, in contrast to the closed-eye experience of meditation.

"Searching" (noun) can often feel like a maze where we all can easily get lost. To truly awaken ourselves, we must confront the truth about life's contradictions and unresolved problems. If "Searching" does not lead us to the core solutions of life, then it can be seen as the Devil's Way (Dhammapada).

Sadhu.

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