BUDDHISM UNDER THE LY DYNASTY During the Ly dynasty (1010-1225),
as the centralized state apparatus was integrated and
consolidated, Vietnamese society became progressively more
stable. The first written law, a criminal code, was promulgated.
Through a set of policies inducing support for irrigation, the
country experienced rapid agricultural, industrial, and domestic
and foreign commercial development. Successful military
resistance against the Chinese Song dynasty contributed to
heighten At that time, and particularly towards the end of the
eleventh century, all ideological and spiritual life came
increasingly under the influence of Confucianism. Nevertheless,
instead of losing its stature in the face of Confucianism,
Buddhism rose to unprecedented THE ASCENDANCE OF BUDDHISM The
founder of the Ly dynasty, Ly Cong Uan (also known as Ly Thai
To, his imperial name) was raised in a pagoda and enjoyed
support throughout his reign from such influential Buddhist
circles as monk Van Hanh of the Vinitaruci sect and