Life and Legacy of Patriarch Pháp Loa
Trúc Lâm is a sect of Zen Buddhism founded by Vietnamese Emperor Trần Nhân Tông in the 12th century. From the very beginning, it had a rather interesting start as it was established by not a monk, but one of Vietnam’s greatest emperors who became the first patriarch. Though the life of Emperor Trần Nhân Tông had became somewhat of a legend and often is the topic of discussion when speaking of Trúc Lâm sect, one can’t help but mention its 2nd patriarch, Pháp Loa.
Pháp Loa was born in 1284, North of Quảng Ninh province. The interesting story in regard to his birth is that his mother already had 8 daughters and did no want any more kids. One night, she had dreamed that there was a supernatural being giving her a sacred sword. He happily accepted it to realize in horror it was a fetus. It was said that she attempted to abort this last child at least 4 times without success. As it goes with stories in regard to great master, it was said that when Patriarch Pháp Loa was born, a pleasant fragrance pervaded completely the whole house. He was also very different as a child. He refrained from using evil words, he refused to eat any sort of meats and or pungent plants (Traditional Mahayana monks do not consume meats or pungent plants such as garlic or onion. Thus this is to say that his destiny was that of a pure and exceptional Buddhist master) When Patriach Pháp Loa was 21 years old (1304), it was around the same time in which Patriarch Emperor Trần Nhân Tông had traveled across the land in search of a successor. When Pháp Loa met Trần Nhân Tông, he paid his respect and earnestly requested to be ordained. From first sight, Trần Nhân Tông said
- “This child has the Dharma eyes, later in life, he will become a great instrument of Dharma” Thus Trần Nhân Tông was very pleased to have met Pháp Loa. Once they had returned to the monastery, Trần Nhân Tông, right away, sent Pháp Loa to study under Upadhyaya Tánh Giác (Upadhyaya is a master who trains novice monks in precepts and conduct as well as variety of ceremonies, etc.) In 1305, he took the full Bhiksu precepts only after 1 year of being a novice. And in just another 3 years in 1308, he was officially given the transmission to be the second Patriarch of Trúc Lâm at the age of 25 at Siêu Loại Temple. He excelled among 7 to 8 other disciples of Trần Nhân Tông. His transmission ceremony was grand with the presence of the crowned emperor Anh Tông (Trân Nhân Tông’s son) many generals, and government officials. It was said that patriarch Pháp Loa never ceasing to be diligent in his Dharma work. His skillful means brought him great supports from commoners, merchants, to the highest of officials. Throughout his life, he gave many precepts, constructed many temples and statues, organized great number of ordination ceremony, and gave extensive countless lectures on the many various scriptures of Mahayana and Tripitaka. It is also noteworthy to say that he was also, of course, a imperial court national teacher. Perhaps among the many great contributions he made to the Dharma, most notable was his work of organizing and printing the complete comprehensive Vietnamese Buddhist Tripitaka which includes 2372 books on Sutra, Vinaya, and Abhidharma. One can say that Trúc Lâm sect was found by its first Patriarch Trân Nhân Tông who is creditted for uniting all Zen traditions of Buddhism into a unique Vietnamese originated style, but it was the 2nd Patriarch Pháp Lóa which really gave life, expand, and spread Trúc Lâm’s influence across Vietnam. Br. Thích Tâm Giác
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