Zen Master TRI BAT (Ky Suu 1049): unknown secular name, only known to be his surname Van, from Luy Lau area - the ancient center of Vietnamese Buddhism (Bac Ninh) - Kinh Bac region. At the age of 20, he became a monk and received precepts from Venerable Sung Pham at Phap Van pagoda, belonging to the 17th generation of the Nam Phuong Zen lineage. Later, he became the abbot of To Phong pagoda on Thach That mountain (Son Tay) to propagate the Dharma, enlightening the minds of his followers. Not only did he preach the Dharma to save lives, he also composed many elegant poems and profound verses, but most of them have been lost. The Master also left a verse for his disciples and relatives: “If there is death, there must be birth/If there is birth, there must be death/When there is birth, there is joy/When there is death, there is sorrow/When there is joy and suffering, there are endless joys and sorrows/They still revolve this way and that/When will life and death ever be of any concern/When will I enter the realm of longevity!”, then he passed away in 1117, at the age of 68.

Zen Master TINH THIEN (Tan Suu 1121): secular name Phi Hoan, from Co Giao village, Long Bien, belonging to the 17th generation of the Thien lineage of Ty-Ni-Da-Luu-Chi. He became a monk and received precepts from Zen Master Dao Lam at Long Van pagoda, received the heart seal and was given the Dharma name Tinh Thien with the meaning “Tinh is the pure and mysterious wisdom. Thien is the quiet Zen mind”. After Zen Master Dao Lam passed away, the Master traveled all over the Zen forest to find fellow practitioners. Later, returning to his hometown, the Master restored Long Van Pagoda and resided there, focusing on practicing Zen and participating in altruistic activities. In 1193, during the 8th year of Thien Tu Gia Thuy, the Master passed away at the age of 73.

Most Venerable THICH DAT THANH (Quy Suu 1853): secular name Vo Minh Thong, also known as Vo Buu Dat, hometown in Binh Long district - Tan Binh prefecture, Gia Dinh province (now Xuan Thoi Thuong commune - Hoc Mon - Ho Chi Minh City), dharma name Nhu Buu, born into a Confucian family who respected and believed in Buddhism. The Master had two younger brothers who also became Buddhist monks, one later became the abbot of Phuoc Tuong Pagoda (Thu Duc), the other the abbot of Long Thanh Pagoda (Ba Hom). From a young age, the Master showed intelligence and studiousness, not only knowing the Four Books and Five Classics well, but also being good at martial arts. His parents allowed him to become a monk and take refuge with Venerable Minh Phuong-Chơn Hương at Linh Nguyen Pagoda in Duc Hoa village. After 2 years of studying rituals, he was sent by his teacher to study Buddhist scriptures and laws with Venerable Minh Vi-Mat Hanh at Giac Lam Co Tu for 6 years. After his master passed away, he quietly went to Giac Vien Pagoda to study with Venerables Hoang An-Minh Khiem and Nhu Nhan-Tu Phong, diligently studying and quickly becoming a famous monk at that time. In 1879, he was appointed abbot of Linh Nguyen Pagoda. In 1921, he returned to Long Quang Pagoda, which was renovated from his parents' house. Because he joined the Thien Dia Hoi organization in 1926, he was exiled to Con Dao by the French colonialists. Eating salted rice and wearing brown clothes for 4 years in prison, the Master and some fellow prisoners later escaped from prison and encountered great danger, but were saved by a devout Buddhist merchant, who brought him home to protect and serve him, and changed his name to Vo Buu Dat to deceive the authorities. From then on, the Master traveled to teach throughout the provinces of the Southwest, then returned to Saigon in 1949, temporarily staying and propagating Dharma in many pagodas, and finally staying at Giac Ngo Pagoda (Nga Sau Vuon Lai). In 1951, the Master was honored as the Dharma Master of the Southern Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. In 1953, the Master retired to Long Quang Pagoda to recuperate due to old age and poor health. He restored this pagoda for 2 years, then became the abbot of Long Nguyen Pagoda in 1956. In early 1973, although his spirit was still clear, his health deteriorated a lot. He returned to Long Quang Pagoda, and for 11 days he only drank water and lay down next to the altar of his ancestors. Summoning his disciples from all over, the Master recited a verse after advising his disciples and relatives about impermanence, not to be sad when parting in life and death, then ordered the Prajna drum to be beaten continuously from 3:30 pm, until 4:00 pm, the Master peacefully passed away with the rosary still in his hand, at the age of 120, with 99 years of practice.

Most Venerable THICH GIAC NHIEN (Dinh Suu 1877): secular name Vo Chi Tham, dharma name Trung Thuy, dharma title Chi Tham, dharma title Giac Nhien, belonging to the 42nd generation of Thien Lam Te Thien Thai Son lineage, coming from a family of moral tradition in Ai Tu village, Trieu Phong district - Quang Tri. At the age of 7, with the wish to leave the world to study Buddhism, the Master came to ask for refuge in Buddha with Most Venerable Tam Tinh at Tay Thien Di Da pagoda (Hue), studying diligently for 23 years. At the age of 33, the Master received the full precepts. In 1932, the Master and other Venerables founded the An Nam Buddhist Association. In addition to holding the position of Dharma Master, the Master also held the position of Director of Tay Thien Buddhist School - Hue. Two years later, one of the three largest national temples in Hue at that time, Thanh Duyen Pagoda, invited the Master to become the abbot. In 1936, the Duy Tan Dynasty appointed the Master as Tang Cang. The Master stood up to be the abbot of Vien Am magazine, then became the abbot of Thuyen Ton Pagoda - Hue, and the Director of the Central Buddhist Institute (Hai Duc Pagoda - Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa). During the 1963 Dharma persecution, at the age of 86, the Master, with a cane, led a group of monks and nuns demanding religious freedom and equality. In 1973, the Master was honored as the Supreme Patriarch of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, and many times served as the Head Monk to ordain both monks and lay people at the Ho Quoc (Nha Trang), Van Hanh (Hue), Vinh Gia (Da Nang) ordination platforms... After the country was unified, the Master returned to Thuyen Ton Pagoda to continue propagating the Dharma, without stopping teaching and guiding the disciples. On February 2, 1979, the Master left his physical body and entered nirvana, at the age of 102, with 69 years of religious practice.

Zen Master THICH CHON PHO - THUBTEN OSALL LAMA (Ky Suu 1889): secular name Nguyen Tan Tao, came from a middle-class intellectual family in An Thanh village - Lai Thieu, Thu Dau Mot province (Binh Duong). At the age of 16, the Master asked to take refuge with the Venerable An Thanh - Tu Thien at Thien Ton Co Tu, was given the Dharma name Chon Pho, began to study Buddhist teachings, and had the intention of becoming a monk. When he had completed his studies and worked as a civil servant in the health sector, he was tired of the competition for fame and fortune, and dissatisfied with the French colonial regime. He asked to retire when he became seriously ill. In 1926, he went to the Ordination Platform at Long Hoa Pagoda (Ba Ria - Vung Tau) with Venerable Hue Dang as the Preceptor, he asked to receive the full precepts, and asked for the Dharma from the Venerable, was given the Dharma name Trung Lien, the Dharma title Minh Tinh, the 42nd generation of the Thien Thai Sect. In 1933, the Master was ordained again by the Preceptor Master Ngo Dinh - Tu Phong at the Ordination Platform at Thien Ton Pagoda, and was given the Dharma name Nhan Te, to succeed the 40th generation of the Lam Te Chuc Thanh lineage. The monk carried his wish to return to the Buddha's origin, built Thien Chon hermitage to practice, learned English, then went to India in 1935, learned Tamil in South India, Hindu in North India, and when he went to Bhutan and Tibet, he learned Tibetan to easily access Buddhist scriptures in foreign countries. In 1936, when he arrived at Bodha Nath stupa in Nepal to admire the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni, the monk asked to request a part of the relics to bring back for Buddhists in his homeland to worship. The monk was the first person to request the relics of Buddha to Vietnam. In 1936, the monk followed a group of Lamas from Bodh Gaya to Bhutan for 2 arduous months, then continued for another month to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, to study Vajrayana and Tantric Buddhism. After passing a rigorous national examination and studying for one hundred days, the Master was certified by the Lama King for his attainment of meditation, transmitted the Vajrayana heart dharma, and given the Dharma name Thubten Osall Lama. One year later, the Master returned to his homeland, offered the relics to the Patriarch at Thien Ton Pagoda, then returned to Binh Duong to preside over Buu Huong Pagoda (belonging to the Buu Son Ky Huong sect), and changed the pagoda's name to Tay Tang Pagoda. In 1940, the Master completed the construction of Thien Chon Pagoda (on the old foundation of the hermitage where he lived before). In 1945, he was appointed Chairman when he joined the Thu Dau Mot National Salvation Buddhist Association, contributing many merits in the resistance war against the French colonial regime. In 1951, the Master passed away at the Tay Tang Pagoda, at the age of 63, after 25 years of monastic life. The works he left for his disciples are: Lang Nghiem Tong Thong, Diary of Visiting India and Tibet.

Most Venerable THICH BUU LAI (Tan Suu 1901): secular name Le Van Ton, dharma name Giac Hoa, came from a middle-class family that believed in the Three Jewels in Sa Dec-Dong Thap. The family had 4 sisters (3 girls, 1 boy - the Master was the third child) who all became Buddhist monks. At the age of 15, he received the three refuges and five precepts from Most Venerable Thich Thien An in Tra Vinh, but due to family circumstances His family and career went through many changes, so it was not until he was 54 years old that he officially became a monk to study Buddhism at An Quang Temple. At the age of 23, when he was the Head of the Post Office and Treasury in his home province, he had the opportunity to practice at home and study Buddhism, initiated the establishment of the Sa Dec Provincial Buddhist Association, and built Hoi Quan Pagoda. Knowing that he would become a monk late, he devoted himself to studying diligently, and with the support of the Venerables at An Quang Temple, after only one year he was ordained as a novice, then received the special privilege of receiving the Bhikkhu and Bodhisattva precepts. In 1957, the Sangha appointed him as the abbot of Phuoc Hoa Pagoda (Tra Vinh). In 1959, the Sangha of South Vietnam appointed him as the General Secretary and Treasurer of the Sangha. In 1962, he held the position of Director of the Buddhist School of South Vietnam. During the 1963 Dharma persecution, he participated in the struggle with monks and nuns to demand religious equality, was imprisoned in Cho Lon, and after being released, he was in good health. His health had declined, so he asked to retire to the Quang Duc Buddhist Temple (Can Tho). From 1964 to 1966, he was a Professor and abbot of Phuoc Hoa Buddhist Institute, Deputy Director of the General Finance Department of the Church, and Chief Representative of Hue Quang region. In 1971, he went to Lam Dong to build Huong Nghiem Tinh Vien. After 1975, he was trusted to take on many important positions in the Church, as well as in the Vietnam Fatherland Front in Can Tho and Hau Giang. Many times, he was invited to be a Preceptor at the ordination platforms... In 1988, he was ordained as a Venerable by the Vietnam Buddhist Church. The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front awarded him the medal "For the cause of great national unity". In 1990, he passed away at the age of 90, 34 years of religious life. His works include: Encouragement to Develop Bodhi Mind, Zen Mon Truong Hang Luat, Collection of Lectures and Doctrines...

Most Venerable THICH THIEN AN (At Suu 1925): secular name Doan Van An, hometown is An Truyen village - Phu Vang, Thua Thien-Hue province. The Master's father is Venerable Thich Tieu Dieu, a true monk who later burned himself to death for the Dharma (during the period of Dharma persecution 1961-1963). Thanks to the favorable conditions of being born into a family with a tradition of respecting and believing in Buddhism, from a young age the Master was imbued with Buddhist scriptures and verses, and was proficient in dignity. At the age of 10, following in his father's footsteps, the Master asked to take refuge and become a monk at Bao Quoc pagoda with Venerable Phuoc Hau, and was given the Dharma name Thien An. At the age of 16, the Master received the novice precepts, at the age of 23, he received the full precepts, and at the age of 29, the Venerables assisted him to study in Japan thanks to his outstanding knowledge. After 6 years of studying the scriptures and history, the Master obtained a PhD in Literature and returned to the country to teach at universities. With the great vow to open a separate university for Buddhism in the country, the Master went to Japan again. to study the orthodox Rinzai Zen school until completion. Due to the 1963 Dharma persecution, the Master returned to Vietnam to participate in the fight against religious discrimination, and was arrested by the Ngo government along with many monks and nuns. In 1964, the Master was appointed by the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam as a member of the Buddhist Studies Committee, and at the same time served as the Head Professor of the Buddhist College. In 1966, the Master was invited to the United States to teach language and philosophy at the University of Southern California, and also meditation practice methods for students, establishing the first Buddhist Studies group at this school. The Master is considered the first Zen Master to propagate the Dharma in the United States, establishing the International Zen Center in Los Angeles to guide American students to study Japanese Zen, and accepting many ordained disciples. With favorable conditions, the Master built the first temple in the United States named after Vietnamese Buddhism, and in 1973 founded the Oriental University. In 1980, the Master calmly continued to propagate the Dharma when he knew he was seriously ill. incurable, and entered nirvana in this year, living for 75 years, with 52 years of religious life. The works he left behind: Buddhism, Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange, Buddhism and Zen in Vietnam.

Most Venerable THICH MINH THANH (Dinh Suu 1937): secular name Ha Van Xin, dharma name Thien Xuan, dharma name Nhut Sanh, belonging to the 41st generation of Lam Te Gia Pho Zen sect, native of Chau Phu district - Chau Doc, An Giang province. At the age of 6, after many times going with his mother to Long Khanh pagoda (Chau Phu district) to pray for his father, he asked to become a monk with Most Venerable Hue Phap, and was given the dharma name Nhut Sanh by the teacher. At the age of 10, his master passed away, he had to go to That Son area to find a teacher to seek the path, and studied for 4 years with Master Chu at Dinh Long pagoda - Sam mountain. Coming down from the mountain, the Master went to Cam mountain to study with his Dharma brother, then went down the mountain to seek Dharma from Venerable Thien Ngon at Phuoc Hau pagoda (Long Xuyen), received the Dharma name Thien Xuan, and was able to study at the Buddhist school of Binh An pagoda. In 1952, the Master was ordained as a novice monk, continued to study Buddhism at An Quang pagoda (Cho Lon), sought Dharma from Venerable Thien Hoa, and was given the Dharma name Minh Thanh. In 1962, after receiving the full precepts, the Master was assigned to teach Dharma at elementary Buddhist classes in Saigon-Cho Lon, and several provinces in the Southwest. In 1963, the Master actively participated in the movement to fight against the Ngo family regime, demanding religious freedom. In the following years, the Master tirelessly participated in propagating Dharma, contributing merit to build Minh Dao Buddhist Recitation Hall (Yen Do ward), Phap Van Buddhist Recitation Hall (District 3), established Bo De Phap Van Primary School, and became the Director of Bo De Cho Lon Secondary and Primary School (Giac Ngo pagoda). From 1971 to 1977, the Master continued to study until completing the Bachelor and Master of Buddhist Studies program at Hue Nghiem College. From 1976 to 1979, the Master was appointed as Deputy Secretary General of An Quang Temple, Director of the Buddhist Academy and its affiliated facilities, and many other important positions at the Temple, as well as at Dai Tong Lam (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), and the Central Buddhist Church of Vietnam... The Master also composed many textbooks for Buddhist schools, published books such as: Buddhist ethics, Basic Law, Essential explanation of Vinaya - Novice, Essential explanation of Oai Nghi - Canh Sach, Essential explanation of Bodhisattva Precepts, Bodhisattva U Tac Gioi Kinh... On January 15, 2000, the Master passed away at An Quang Temple, at the age of 63 years, 38 years of Buddhist practice.