An Overview of Vietnamese Thien (Zen) transmission lineages
Due to it's unique geographical position Vietnam recieved not only Theravâda but also
Mahâyana and Zen transmissions over an extended period of time. Below you find some of the
Thien (Zen) contacts which influenced the development of Thien in Vietnam.
Early Indian Lineage:
Tang Hoi (3rd century C.E) A meditation teacher and Sutra translator is said by some to have "founded" the Thien-Tradition.
A later Indian Lineage:
The Indian Dhyâna Master Dharmadeva taught in Northern Vietnam in the 5th century.
| |_Vinitaruci/ Ty Ni Da Lu Chi (? - 594) brought Ch'an to North Vietnam in ca. 580. The Ty Ni Da Lu Chi school continued for 19 generationens, about 650 years.
| |__Wu Yen T'ung/Vô Ngôn Thông) arrived in Giao Chi, Tonkin around 820 CE and founded the Vô Ngôn Thông Lineage which lasted more than 17 generations.
Nguyen Thieu (? - 1712) of the chinese Lin-Chi Yangqi (Rinzai Yogi) school came from China to Hue, in 1683 in founded the Thâp-Thap-Tempel, and in 1696 established the Lam Te School.
| |_xxxx
| |_Reformer Lieu Quan (1670 - 1774/1742) Dharmagrandson of Nguyen Thieu. very syncreatic (Practiced Thoai-ddau (chin. Hua-t'ou, jap. Wato - a form of Koan-Practice)
| |_6 generations
| |_ Thanh Quy Chan Tiet (?-1968)
| |_Trung Quang Nhat Hanh (Thich Nhat Hanh), ext.link The 42th generation after Master Linchi (Rinzai) and the 8th generation after Master Lieu Quan.