Emperor Minh Mang’s policy towards Buddhism (1820-1840)

Abstract

Emperor Minh Mang was a ruler who left a significant mark on Vietnam’s monarchy with many outstanding achievements in administrative reform, educational and cultural development, territorial unity, and the protection of national sovereignty. While considering Confucianism as the orthodox ideology to assert its unique position, the emperor remained friendly and open to Buddhism. During Emperor Minh Mang’s reign, Buddhism experienced significant development, not only in appearance and scale but also in asserting its role in contemporary political, cultural, and social life. The article aims, through reliable sources, to more clearly reflect the state of Vietnamese Buddhism under Emperor Minh Mang’s reign, contributing to a new understanding of the development of Vietnamese Buddhism during this period, and then to reassess the emperor’s policy toward Buddhism. At the same time, the article will identify the unique characteristics that confirm the positive aspects of Buddhism during this period and clarify the critical role of Buddhism, not only in the past but also in the ongoing process of building and defending Vietnam today.