Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary Vietnam: Continuities, Ruptures, and Transformations

This paper addresses five interrelated types of Buddhist views and practices that are labeled Mật Tông (literally “Esoteric School”) by contemporary followers of Buddhism in Vietnam: different dhāraṇī that were circulating independently or comprised parts of Buddhist sūtras and have been recited by Vietnamese for centuries; self-conscious traditions of rituals, visualizations, etc. with their own lineages and initiations that flourished in Vietnam during the Lý (1009–1225) dynasty, if not earlier, allegedly disappeared after the Trần Dynasty (1225–1400), and are currently in the process of “revival”; Tibetan tantric practices currently flourishing in Vietnam; tantric ritual practices based on teachings received by contemporary Vietnamese monastics in what can be described as pure visions; and such “spiritual tourism” sites as Samten Hills Đà Lạt. The paper also explores specific attitudes, practices, and types of study and training undertaken by groups and individuals currently following different types of esoteric Buddhism in Vietnam.