The Echo of the Drum
Imagine a world where the rhythm of life pulses through an ancient bronze artifact—a Drum that whispers secrets of the universe to all who listen. Crafted by the Vietnamese sages thousands of years ago, the “Ngoc Lu” Bronze Drum1The Ngoc Lu bronze drum was discovered in 1893 in Ngoc Lu village, Ly Nhan, Ha Nam province of Vietnam. The drum is the most outstanding, beautiful & quintessential representative of Dong Son culture that existed between 900 BC and 200 AD. As the one of the oldest drums, many researchers agree that the age of drums is about 2500 years old. Recognized as the National Treasure of Vietnam, the Drum is currently displayed at the National Museum of History in Hanoi. Source: Vietnam National Museum ofHistory is more than a relic; it is a living testament to a profound life truth, a True Integrated Theory of Everything that harmonizes the human spirit with the cosmos. Resonating with the rhythmic Tùng Tùng Tùng, this Drum, etched with tales of dragon fairy, and heroes, invites us into a journey of Light and Sound, weaving a tapestry across the landscape of Đất Nước – mountains, rivers, and seas.
Across time and cultures, humanity has sought to understand the underlying patterns of existence. From science to philosophy, from spiritual traditions to the wisdom encoded in ancient symbols, we have traced the unseen forces that shape reality. The Dao—eternal, flowing, indefinable yet ever-present—reveals itself in all things.
The Circle-Square Dao, as expressed on the Drum, offers a profound and unique perspective on this timeless truth. It is not merely another interpretation of Yin-Yang theory, the Five Elements, or the I Ching. While those traditions have guided generations in understanding balance and change, the Circle-Square Dao differs—not by surpassing them, but by offering another way to see the infinite harmony of Dao.
At its heart lies the Central Sun, a symbol of the Dao, an indefinable yet omnipresent force spiraling in and out like a rhythmic dance to form the universe. This Dao, expressed through the eternal kiss of the expansive Dragon – Lạc Long Quân and the nurturing Fairy – Âu Cơ, births a dynamic balance of Circle and Square, Âm and Dương, Càn and Khôn, Heaven and Earth. The Drum’s three-part structure – action (tympanum or face), emptiness (body), and grounding (foot) – mirrors the conscious energy, Thần Khí, that guides humanity – Children of the Fairy Dragon, Con Rồng Cháu Tiên – as equal partners in the Great Harmony.
From the fearless toad suing Heaven to restore rain, to Sơn Tinh rising as Tản Viên Sơn Thánh amid floods, and Gióng ascending to the heavens after defending his people, these tales encode a path to happiness. This path transcends rituals or ideologies, teaching that following the Dao is a constant act—creative expression balanced with integrity—lived here and now. The Drum’s un-played potential and the spiral dance of its numbers and symbols reveal a universe where every individual holds the inner power to shape their life and environment.
A Universal Perspective
Science, Philosophy, and the Circle-Square Dao
In the language of modern science, Dao reveals itself in the vibrational nature of reality, in holography and fractal patterns, where each part reflects the whole. It manifests in gravity, the unseen force that binds and centers all things. Just as planets orbit a central mass, the Dao teaches active engagement with life while staying centered.
Philosophically, it aligns with the idea that progress and self-mastery are not opposing forces but complementary ones. A society that advances outwardly must also cultivate inner wisdom. A person who seeks happiness must also seek harmony within. The Dao does not reject movement, growth, or change—but it teaches that all true movement must be rooted in balance.
Beyond Words, Beyond Borders
Unlike written doctrines, the sages left behind symbols, images, and structures—not rigid definitions, but silent revelations for those ready to see. The Drum is wordless, yet it speaks. The Circle-Square Dao is not nationalism, not exclusivity—it is a truth that belongs to all. It carries the strength, beauty, love, and wisdom that transcend borders, cultures, and beliefs.
The Drum is still echoing. Because its message is not of the past, but of the timeless. If it speaks to you, it is not because of my words, but because something within you already knows.
It is an art of living—taught from infancy at home through Tet’s cakes (Bánh Dày, Bánh Chưng) and the toad’s croak—offering a compassionate, universal guide to happiness, autonomy, and connection with the cosmos. This is the Circle-Square Dao or the Law of Five Interactions. This is the silent yet resounding message of the eternal Drum. The Bronze Drum beckons all to listen, to drum louder, and to join in its eternal song of harmony—will you answer its call?