Confucianism, Temple of Confucius (Văn Miếu) and Metropolitan Examinations in Đại Việt under the Lý Dynasty

Abstract

In the history of Vietnamese religion and ideology, until now, the Lý Dynasty (1009-1226) of Đại Việt has still been perceived in parallel: both Confucianism, Chinese-like centralization, both Buddhism, or at least “Three Religions”. In the study of the Lý State, the first “permanent state” since Đại Việt had been born after a millennium of Chinese domination, there are still conflicting views. In this article, I believe that we still need to place the Lý Dynasty in particular, and the Northern Vietnam before the French colonial period in general, especially in terms of political institutions and ideology - religion, in the East Asian world, with the “paradigm” of centralized monarchy and Confucian bureaucracy as the center. Đại Việt in the 10th -13th centuries was in the “Pre-paradigm” period as suggested by Nguyễn Thừa Hỷ. Taking the perspective of the reception and manifestations of Confucianism, Confucian examinations, and the process of forming a scholarly class, this article will have the following new contributions: 1- Providing another date for the appearance of the Văn Miếu in Đại Việt; 2- Researching and establishing the most complete list of exams during the Lý Dynasty; 3- My main argument is: Approaching Đại Việt in the Lý Dynasty which was changing over time, diverse in people and space, always struggling internally as well as interacting with different surrounding entities, in the post Tang - Song transition period, and in the relationship with the Chinese court in the North. Only with such comprehensive perspective, it is possible to understand the Lý Dynasty and resolve the inconsistent academic opinions in viewing and evaluating this special entity (a Charter state) of premodern Vietnam.