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Call for Papers
"Confucian Thoughts in Viet Nam:
Studies from an Interdisciplinary Perspective"
5th International Conference on Confucianism in Viet Nam
Institute of Han-Nom Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences
Harvard-Yenching Institute
Hanoi (Viet Nam)
8-10 November 2007
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Concerning research methodology on Confucian thought in Viet Nam and the
development of research materials in Han-Nom related to this area of inquiry,
The Institute of Han-Nom Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), in
cooperation with the Harvard-Yenching Institute, is proud to announce the fifth
Conference entitled "Confucian thoughts in Viet Nam: Studies from an
Interdisciplinary Perspective."
This conference is both interdisciplinary and international. Scholars and
specialists from all academic fields of study are invited to participate. This
conference seeks to bring Vietnamese scholars and their international
counterparts together in a favorable academic environment for discussions and
scholarly exchanges. Their new and interdisciplinary approaches various issues
of Confucianism in Vietnam will create scientific dialogues and pave the way
for further research and international collaboration in the future.
Contents of the Conference
I/The Historical Process of Confucianism in Viet Nam
The Institute of Han-Nom Studies possesses a significant number of
ancient
texts on Confucianism in Viet Nam, and among them are studies and commentaries
on the Four Books and Five Classics. Many of these texts have spanned
generations, and comprise important sources that will assist scholars in
understanding the historical process of Confucianism in Viet Nam. There are
three approaches that may be taken into consideration:
1/ Chinese Confucian thought was received and applied (all of the
system or
partially) in a faithful, integral, and up-to-date fashion throughout
Vietnamese history. From this perspective, the historical process of
Confucianism in Viet Nam, or part of that process, mirrors that of China. For
instance, Confucian thought in Vietnam can reflect various phases of the
development of Confucianism in China, such as the primitive thought of the
Pre-Qin period, Eastern and Western Hans thought with some theological
aspects, the Principle (li) studies of the Song Ming dynasties, and
Neo-Confucianism.
2/ After Chinese Confucian thought came to Viet Nam, it was gradually
assimilated into the Vietnamese culture through the dictates of indigenous
thought. From this perspective, the historical process of Confucianism in Viet
Nam did not coincide with that in China. Confucianism in Viet Nam had an
independent life and countenance within an ideological environment and a system
of reference specific to Viet Nam.
3/ A synthesis of the two above approaches.
The first approach aims at figuring out the influence of Chinese
thought on
the Vietnamese Confucian tradition. Approaches two and three compare and
contrast the similarities and differences between Vietnamese Confucianism and
its origins within the broader East Asian world of thought.
Confucianism in Viet Nam has been influenced by Buddhism, Taoism,
Christianity, and particularly by indigenous beliefs of Vietnamese people.
This is an issue that the conference seeks to explore in order to obtain a
comprehensive picture of the formation and development of Confucianism in
Vietnam. The organizational committee of this conference hopes to receive
papers on diverse topics regarding Confucianism in Viet Nam that will
illuminate the historical process of Confucianism in Viet Nam.
II. The Circulation and Reception of the Confucian Classics in Viet Nam
Vietnamese society has been profoundly influenced by Confucian thought.
The
reception of Chinese Confucianism in Viet Nam unfolded during a long and
complex period of Vietnamese history. During this process, Chinese Confucians
and their Vietnamese counterparts actively propagated Confucian thought to the
masses. This propagation took place in various forms. Confucian thought had
to compete with other ideologies and religions in order to confirm its place
within the accommodation of three religions (Confucianism, Daoism, and
Buddhism). When Confucianism became the dominant ideology in Vietnamese
society, Vietnamese Confucians accepted positive elements of the doctrine to
establish an independent state. One of their efforts was to compile and
compose works and disseminate them to the masses, and through their writings,
they educated generations of Vietnamese Confucians.
The aforementioned works were composed in both Chinese and Nom to
propagate
political thought and Confucian culture in Viet Nam. These materials were
preserved in fairly large volumes. The rich content and style of these volumes
is diverse. According to their basic content, these works can be divided as
follows: introductory materials, familial educational materials, canonical
materials, and literary materials for the civil service examination.
Pre-modern dynasties from the 10th to the early 20th centuries followed
these
Confucian books, especially the Four Books and Five Classics. Numerous
interpretations of these texts were written by eminent scholars, such as Chu
Van An, Nguy?n Trãi, Nguy?n Binh Khiêm, Phùng Kh?c Khoan, Lê Quí
Ðôn, Ph?m Quí Thích, and Phan Huy Chú and many others. The quantity of
scholars was constantly increasing, so were their interpretations of Confucian
texts. Generations of Vietnamese Confucian literati admired and sincerely
revered the Chinese Confucian classics, in particular the Four Books and Five
Classics. These texts greatly influenced culture and education in Viet Nam.
Many works in classical Chinese or Nom by Vietnamese Confucian literati
concentrated directly or indirectly on the Four Books and Five Classics to
understand and interpret Confucian thought.
This conference will concentrate on the research and interpretation of
classical Chinese Confucian texts (the Four Books and Five Classics in
particular) and other materials composed by Vietnamese Confucian literati.
These resources are invaluable; they reflect the role of Confucian thought in
Vietnamese culture and the level of Confucian knowledge of Vietnamese literati.
III. Interdisciplinary Research on Confucianism in Viet Nam
Confucianism in Viet Nam is a broad topic. Historically, after
attaining its
heyday during the early Le dynasty, Confucianism and Confucian studies
controlled every area of society, from governmental institutions and political
activities to economy, military affairs, literature, architecture, morality,
education, and the system of civil service examinations. Confucianism touched
people from different social strata, and influenced their habits, and became
part of their customs.
Therefore, in addition to historical and theoretical approaches, this
conference welcomes papers with societal analysis, concentrating on regional
issues, institutional administration, law, regional cultural practices, the
shaping of cultural consciousness, the family, philosophy, morality, customs
(such as the custom of forbidden, or taboo names), folk culture, village
regulations and rules, stele styles and their inscriptions, land registers and
their implications, official seals and their meanings, analysis of Confucian
consciousness and elements of non-Confucianism or anti-Confucian thought in
Vietnamese society. IV. Confucianism in Contemporary Vietnamese Society
One positive aspect of the Confucian doctrine is the managing state
affairs
and bringing peace to all under heaven. In fact, it seeks to create a
social order with constant adjustment and stabilization to bring harmony to
society. This aspect of Confucian thought still holds great value in
contemporary society, especially in the age of global integration.
On the other hand, familial and national relations still play important
roles
in modern society. Family remains the basic unit of society. Traditional
Vietnamese society places great importance on the family, on human dignity,
morality, and life-style. The influence of Confucianism reinforces and
continually enhances these traditions. Confucianism has penetrated every level
of society, creating a rich cultural community, and its decisive role still
presents in contemporary society.
Confucianism emphasizes both moral and intellectual education. It is
now
necessary to acquire scientific knowledge in accord with the worlds
progress, but it is impossible to ignore the importance of moral education. The
Confucian educational and examination system gave prominence to fondness of
learning, and highly evaluated learning. The whole society, from family to
larger community, must pay special attention to in the education of its
children.
Confucianism is a tradition that has had a profound effect on all
levels of
Vietnamese society throughout history. Despite its limitations, there are
still many constructive aspects meaningful to the construction of the nation.
On behalf of the organizational committee, we would like to invite you
to join
us in the conference. Please fill out the Proposal Form at the end of this
announcement and return it (preferably via email) to us by March 28, 2007. The
conference organizers will decide which proposals to accept and send out
personalized invitations to scholars of the selected registrations. Limited
funding for travel and accommodation is available and we will discuss it in
detail later with each paper presenter. Papers can be in Vietnamese with an
abstract (not exceeding one-page length) in English, or vice versa.
Presenters must submit their paper outlines (300-350 words) by May 28, 2007.
Deadline for full paper submission is August 31, 2007.
Contact:
Dr. La Minh Hang
Institute of Han-Nom Studies
183 Dang Tien Dong
Dong Da
Ha Noi
Vietnam
Tel. 04.5375.785
Mobile: 0982354426.
Email: [email protected]
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