Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and preservation
Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu and Hoi An
Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu (1675 - 1725) was the 6th lord of the nine Nguyen lords. He was the eldest son of Lord Nghia Nguyen Phuc Tran.
The horizontal lacquered board “Lai Viễn Kiều” at the Japanese Covered Bridge – Photo: Heritage Information and Documentation Division
Nguyen Phuc Chu ascended to the throne when he was 17 years old. He was a lord who had made outstanding contributions to culture. The following three events can identify his contributions. The first event, he sent someone to Guangdong, China and invited Zen master Thich Dai San to our country to disseminate Buddhism in 1695.
Thereby, Buddhism was widely propagated in Cochinchina. Many Buddhist monks and pagodas appeared after this event. Two remaining events were directly related to Hoi An. In 1715, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu granted a relic in Hoi An with a horizontal lacquered board including four words “Cứu thế độ nhân” (Savior of humanity).
The horizontal lacquered board is hanging at Son Phong communal house. In 1719, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu granted the Japanese Covered Bridge with a horizontal lacquered board “Lai Viễn Kiều” (Bridge welcoming far-away guests).
Thereby, Buddhism was widely propagated in Cochinchina. Many Buddhist monks and pagodas appeared after this event. Two remaining events were directly related to Hoi An. In 1715, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu granted a relic in Hoi An with a horizontal lacquered board including four words “Cứu thế độ nhân” (Savior of humanity).
The horizontal lacquered board is hanging at Son Phong communal house. In 1719, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu granted the Japanese Covered Bridge with a horizontal lacquered board “Lai Viễn Kiều” (Bridge welcoming far-away guests).
Author: Văn An Trần
Source: Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation
Keywords: Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu and Hoi An, lai viễn kiều
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