YẾU TỐ PHẬT GIÁO MẬT TÔNG TRONG TRUYỀN THUYẾT SƠ SỬ VIỆT NAM : TRƯỜNG HỢP LĨNH NAM CHÍCH QUÁI

Abstract

While the influence of Buddhism introduced from India in general during the proto-historic period of Vietnam in Giao Chỉ has long been affirmed, the impact of Esoteric Buddhism (Vajrayāna) remains an open question, only recently brought into scholarly discussion. Lĩnh Nam chích quái, though compiled in the medieval period, is the earliest surviving work that preserves legends from Vietnam’s proto-history. It thus constitutes a rare, if not unique, source for examining the transmission and development of Esoteric Buddhism from India into Giao Chỉ during that early stage. The study of Esoteric Buddhist elements within Vietnam’s proto-historic legends through Lĩnh Nam chích quái has been almost entirely neglected. To date, one can say that no comprehensive research has been conducted in this promising direction. This article seeks to shed light on certain latent Esoteric Buddhist elements embedded within details of Lĩnh Nam chích quái. Although the limited scope of a single paper cannot present a comprehensive treatment, these preliminary analyses are expected to lay a foundation for deeper approaches in future research.