- P-ISSN 3022-0335
- E-ISSN 3058-2105
This article studies the spread and influence of Neo-Confucianism in the Chinese Character Sino-sphere during the Song and Ming Dynasties by examining the Historical Records of Dai Viet and related materials to study its situation in the early period of the Late Le Dynasty (1428–1527) of Dai Viet (now Vietnam). Although the research results of previous scholars all affirm that the early period of the Later Le Dynasty was the most developed stage of Confucianism in Vietnam, the essence of Confucianism in this period is that of Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism, which is almost always identified as such without clear evidence or analysis. This article posits that Confucianism in the early period of the Late Le Dynasty after Dai Viet tended to accept and apply the ideas of Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism in order to build the country and govern the citizenry. Thereby, Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism also affected all aspects of society. This article’s investigation further shows that under the influence of Song and Ming Dynasty Neo-Confucianism, the Confucian scholars in the 15th century in Dai Viet demonstrated a special respect for Taoism. They had four characteristics: engaging in Taoist discourse, using Confucian classics as a basis for commenting on people and affairs, publishing and promulgating Confucian scriptures, and restricting Buddhism.