The festival there is attractive to visitors from near and far thanks to its sacredness and unique folk ceremonies and customs, etc.
A flower and lantern-decorated boat to be drop on Luoc river
Trong temple and pagoda constitute a relic complex associated with historical celebrities. The festival there is attractive to visitors from near and far thanks to its sacredness and unique folk ceremonies and customs, etc.
Mystic colors
Lying on a land formed quite early because of the accumulation of Luoc river silt, Trong temple and pagoda relic complex was built in Hung Long commune (Ninh Giang) in the Ly dynasty (1010 – 1225).
The temple was constructed to worship Zen Buddhist Monk Minh Khong soon after his death in 1141.
The pagoda, built around the late 11th century (in the time of King Ly Nhan Tong), worships Buddha and three enlightened monks: Khong Lo, Giac Hai, and Dao Hanh.
Trong temple and pagoda are closely connected with historical people of high virtue and piety. The stories about them are both factual and mythical, covering the relic complex with mysteriousness and sacredness.
Many mystic stories about the life of Zen Buddhist Monk Minh Khong have been handed down from generation to generation. For instance, he could put all bronze in the storehouse of a Song king in China in a bag which was never full. He used the bronze to cast the statue of Quynh Lam pagoda and Pho Minh cauldron, two out of four sacred objects called “Four masterpieces of An Nam“.
Hung Long commune is the native land of Zen Buddhist Monk Khong Lo’s mother. He was also an enlightened monk famous for his healing talent, together with Giac Hai curing King Ly Nhan Tong of sickness. When the king sent people to pick him up, he used three thung (about three liters) of rice to cook for more than 50 people without running out of the rice. After going on board, he just knocked three times on the oars and already arrived at the capital’s landing a short time later, making everyone terrified and admiring.
The stories about the four enlightened monks handed down from generation to generation among the common people are filled with fabulous colors. However, as all of the mythical cloud curtains are drawn up, the essence that really exists is the heart devoted for the country and people of the highly virtuous and venerable persons who are adored and worshipped by the people.
The name Trong of the temple and the pagoda came from the fact that after the enlightened monks’ death, the people often went to the pagoda to look forward. The people’s admiration and affection are the very reasons that make the stories live forever and the festival of Trong temple and pagoda always attract the attendance of numerous people from everywhere.
Unique folk ceremonies and customs
Trong temple and pagoda are naturally famous for its sacredness in praying for health and sickness curing because they worship the enlightened monks who were good at treating diseases, saving lives.
As one of the Buddhist centers in the Ly and Tran dynasties of the Eastern land, the traditional festival of Trong temple and pagoda was formed very early.
The festival lasts from lunar March 15 – 26 with three important and special rites, namely water procession (March 15), “Xuat dong nhap tay” (leaving from the east, entering from the west) (March 20), and “Te thanh ve troi” (making offerings to see the Saints to heaven) (March 26).
Early on the morning of March 15, the residents of Han Ly and Hao Khe hamlets flock to the temple to hold the departure ceremony to take some water from Luoc river to worship throughout the year, then gather for the long dinh palanquin procession from the temple to the dyke.
Two boats with 20 people on each leave the landing for the midstream to take water at midday and return in the joy of the people waiting on the bank.
The water taken from Luoc river is carried to the temple and pagoda for cleaning statues and worshipping objects, changing the Saints’ clothing.
“Xuat dong nhap tay” is the most important ritual in the festive season. The people of Han Ly and Hao Khe hamlets, carrying three palanquins, parade along the “nghenh than” (welcoming God) road from the right gate of the relic, go through Hao Khe hamlet, then return to Han Ly hamlet, and enter the relic through the left gate.
The rite “Te thanh ve troi” is held on the morning of March 26 and has to finish before noon because it is considered a sacred hour when the Saints return to heaven.
Six objects, namely incense, lamps, flowers, fruits, tea, and oan (truncated-cone-shaped cakes made of rice flour), must be offered at the March 20 and 26 rituals. The funeral oration reader must be a village, commune dignitary.
In mid March when the cold of spring still lingers around, visitors will be immersed in a sacred and exciting atmosphere with full of desires for peace, harmony, and prosperity when coming to the festival of Trong temple and pagoda.
LAM ANH
Đăng ký: VietNam News
