The Ethical Ideals Explored in 'The Proclamation of Victory over Champa'

Prompt: Ethical Ideals in 'The Proclamation of Victory over Champa'

The Ethical Philosophy in 'The Great Proclamation of Binh Ngo'

I. Overview of Ethical Philosophy in 'The Great Proclamation of Binh Ngo'

1. Introduction

* Introducing the author, the work, and summarizing the content
· Author Nguyen Trai, work 'The Great Proclamation of Binh Ngo'
· Content: The proclamation not only accuses the atrocities of invading enemies and praises the Lam Son uprising but also embodies profound ethical philosophy

2. Body

· Concept of ethical philosophy:
· In Confucianism: Ethical philosophy is the bond of human affection, the relationship between people based on the spirit of love, support, and mutual protection
· According to Nguyen Trai: Eradicating cruel forces oppressing the people, ensuring the peaceful, prosperous, and happy lives of the people, that is true ethical philosophy

· Ethical philosophy in the work:
· Affirming national sovereignty
· Condemning and accusing the atrocities of the enemy
· The foundation of the nation's strength
· Humanitarian policies towards the enemy

3. Conclusion

Affirming the Significance of Ethical Ideals: Today's generation needs to preserve and promote the effectiveness and integrity of that tradition, always prioritizing ethical ideals and humanitarian spirit in all circumstances.

II. Sample: Ethical Ideals in 'The Proclamation of Victory over Champa'

Nguyen Trai - a great historical figure, distinguished writer, poet, cultural icon, and contributor to the development of the nation's culture and literature. The work 'The Proclamation of Victory over Champa' was commissioned by King Le Loi to declare the victory over the Cham invaders in 1428, carrying the significance of a second declaration of independence for the nation, a monumental 'ancient heroic literature' of the nation. The content of the proclamation not only accuses the atrocities of the invading enemies and praises the Lam Son uprising but also embodies profound ethical ideals.

It can be said that ethical ideals in 'The Proclamation of Victory over Champa' are the dominant ideology throughout the proclamation. This is a noble ethical ideology that emphasizes the humanitarian values of the Vietnamese people. According to Confucianism, ethical ideals are the bond of human affection, the relationship between people based on the spirit of love, support, and mutual protection. For Nguyen Trai, ethical ideals were conceptualized in the most specific and fundamental way, fitting the historical context of the nation at that time:

'Ethical duty lies in tranquilizing the populace
Before punishing the villainous, prevent atrocities'

Ethical duty, for Nguyen Trai, primarily entails 'punishing the villainous' and 'tranquilizing the populace', meaning eradicating cruel forces oppressing the people, ensuring the peaceful, prosperous, and happy lives of the people. In the work, the author has addressed ethical ideals from various aspects, yet in whichever aspect, this ideology remains profoundly accurate and meaningful.

First and foremost, ethical duty is associated with affirming the sovereignty, independence of the nation:

'Like our Dai Viet of old,
We have long upheld the civilizational foundation
Mountains, rivers, boundaries have long demarcated
The customs of North and South differ...'

With compelling evidence of national sovereignty from historical records, territorial boundaries, customs and traditions, and various historical dynasties..., the author has affirmed the indisputable independence of the nation's sovereignty. Only when the nation's sovereignty is asserted can our actions be justified and in accordance with ethical ideals. On the moral grounds, Nguyen Trai condemned and accused the heinous crimes of the invading army:

'Roasting the innocent on cruel flames
Burying the red in dungeons of horror.
Deceiving the heavens with myriad tricks,
Fostering resentment and spreading war for twenty years.'

It can be said that the crimes of the Ming invaders are beyond human, devoid of humanity, from terrorism, exploitation of labor, innocent slaughter to excessive taxation, exhausting resources, and destroying our environment. The author not only expresses the people's indignation and hatred towards the enemy's crimes but also reveals compassion and pain, along with the people's suffering. It is morality that binds the hearts of the people, and the people's hearts are the greatest strength to defeat the enemy. No power can surpass the unity and determination of a nation:

'Using great righteousness to defeat cruelty,
Using the will of the people to replace tyranny'

Although in the early stages of the war, we encountered countless difficulties, shortages of both food and military forces, it was through the unity and resilience of our people that we began to achieve victory. Subsequently, our army was further strengthened by the awe-inspiring determination of the enemy, allowing us to prevail wherever we fought. This is the sweet fruit of acting with compassion based on the principles of humanity. After securing complete victory, the compassionate spirit of our people was further demonstrated through our treatment of the defeated enemy.

'Mã Kì and Phương Chính provided five hundred boats,
                                                                                                                                                                                                         ra đến bể mà vẫn hồn bay phách lạc.
Vương Thông and Mã Anh sent several thousand horses,
                                                                                                                                                                                                         về đến nước mà vẫn tim đập chân run.'

Providing boats and horses to the enemy commanders and soldiers upon their return is a manifestation of the compassion and humanitarian policies of our people. Instead of pursuing them relentlessly, we allow them the path of filial piety, both giving our troops a chance to rest and preserving our compassionate nature. This approach once again reaffirms the righteousness of the Lam Sơn uprising, further emphasizing our tradition of compassion and preference for peace.

The humanitarian ideals expressed in the literary work 'The Great Proclamation of Bình Ngô' specifically, and throughout our historical epochs generally, constitute a noble tradition of the Vietnamese people. The present generation must uphold and maximize the effectiveness, fully embracing the significance of that tradition, always placing humanitarian ideals and compassionate spirit at the forefront in all circumstances.