The working session. Source: anninhthudo.vn

Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee has worked with Vietnam National University to make a profile on King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong to submit UNESCO for recognition as a Great Man of Culture.

Two other documents on the Tran Dynasty relics in Dong Trieu district and Yen Tu Mountain in Uong Bi district, will also be sent to UNESCO to be considered for World Cultural Heritage Site status.

It is said that Quang Ninh need find feasible solutions to preserve its natural values and bio-diversity and launch a communication campaign to raise public awareness of these two beautiful natural areas.

It was also suggested that a profile on the Truc Lam School of Zen (the Bamboo Forest School) ideology should be compiled instead of the one for the King-Monk in order to seek World Intangible Cultural Heritage status.

Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), the third king of the Tran dynasty, ascended the throne when he was just 21. He was famed for defeating Mongol invaders twice during 15 years of his reign.

The king abdicated his throne at the age of 35 and spent the rest of his life on the Yen Tu Mountain practicing and propagating Buddhism, and founding the Truc Lam School of Zen (the Bamboo Forest School).

During that time, the King-Monk worked to unify different sects of Vietnamese Buddhism into Vietnamese Zen Buddhism./.