Visit Yen Tu Pagoda Bac Giang

Tay Yen Tu spiritual and ecological tourist area was born in order to recreate the path of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong’s propagation of the Buddha’s teachings (along the slopes of the Western Yen Tu range from Vinh Nghiem – Yen Dung pagoda, Ma Yen pagoda, Hon Thap). Cam Ly – Luc Nam), Ho Bac (Huen Son – Luc Nam), Am Vai pagoda (Nam Duong – Luc Ngan)…) on the basis of both exploiting and promoting the rich value of natural resources. ecological nature of Tay Yen Tu mountains. This is also the tourism method and the meaning of “Eco-spiritual tourism” in Tay Yen Tu.

Coming to this place, visitors have the opportunity to learn more about Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect associated with the life of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong. Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect was formed in Dai Viet country from about the middle of the 13th century, the Zen master who laid the foundation for the formation of this Zen sect was Tue Trung Thuong Thuong Tran Tung, belonging to the Tran dynasty. . He was also the great teacher of the Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, who officially founded the Zen sect with Vietnamese characteristics on the basis of the three-Buddhist thought system Tinidaluchi, Vo Thong Ngon, and Thao Duong in the last years. thirteenth century.

Tran Nhan Tong is the eldest son of King Tran Thanh Tong, born in 1258, was established as Crown Prince when he was 16 years old. Being a devotee of Buddhism, he set his mind to practice from a very early age. Legend has it that, once, Tran Nhan Tong hid in Yen Tu alone to take refuge in Buddhism, but was discovered by his father, so he was reluctant to return to the capital. At the age of 21, Tran Nhan Tong was crowned Emperor. Although he was on the throne, he was still very interested in meditation practice. When the Nguyen – Mong empire invaded Dai Viet, he promoted the idea of ​​entering the world, attaching religion to the world, conquering people’s hearts, using talents, twice commanding to defeat the Nguyen – Mong invaders, preventing the invasion of Vietnam. They move to Southeast Asia.

With the inherent peaceful thought of Buddhism, Tran Nhan Tong implemented a friendly peace policy with neighboring countries to build peaceful relations on the basis of Buddhism. In 1293, he ceded the throne to his son, Tran Anh Tong, and became Thai Thuong Emperor. In 1299, he left the capital and entered Yen Tu mountain to devote himself to religious practice. When he was transmitted from the Senior Sergeant Tue Trung, he collected and taught the thought to thousands of disciples. After his death (in 1308), he was honored as the Buddha emperor, the first patriarch of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect for founding this Zen sect and unifying Dai Viet Buddhism.

Emperor Tran Nhan Tong is a king who understands Buddhism with full of bi-brave spirit, ascended the throne while the country has foreign invaders, witnessed many pitiful scenes of human life, he advocated building a pure Vietnamese Zen sect in order to find a way to liberate oneself, and at the same time to liberate others, to gather people’s hearts and minds into one relationship, while helping to keep the culture pure and the people to live a good life. religion, and at the same time strengthen the bond between people in a time when the country is at war, in great need of solidarity and concentration of strength.

As a king, he has another great duty to take care of the people, the country, not just himself. Therefore, in order to solve that “worry”, he took advantage of the position of a king, built a Zen sect to attract people, and at the same time became a model for himself. people follow. Build a religious sect but not for that religion, but for life. The Buddha’s thoughts and teachings are most concentrated in the concluding remarks of the post on the Way of the Way:

Live in the wrong way and let loose

Shut up and fuck off

Middle-class retirement family

For the mindless scene of Zen meditation

(Meaning: In life, enjoy the path, let’s be happy / Eat when hungry, sleep immediately / If you have treasure at home, stop looking for it / Don’t ask Zen in mindless situations)

With that in mind, Zen Buddhism integrates easily into everyday life, because it is also a part of everyday life. As a result, Zen Mind has more influence in society, helping the king to become one more tool to educate his people, and the country has a focal point for people to gather, thereby creating a united strength for the people. The whole nation, partly shaping the character of love of freedom, love of purity, peace and respect for morality for Dai Viet people, who respect morality and love peace.

Tay Yen Tu spiritual eco-tourism area is organized into 3 areas: Ha pagoda, Trung pagoda, Thuong pagoda. The area around Ha Pagoda is the center of the tourist area with flat terrain, located in a favorable position, with mountains in front; is a center for tourist activities and a place for visitors to prepare for climbing journeys and religious activities; including many items such as: ecological park; re-enactment of Thang Long Imperial Citadel; restaurants; convention center; visitor center; Museum; spiritual village; event square; hotel; cable car station; streamside resort and walking area for tourists…

The area around Trung Pagoda is located in the middle of Yen Tu mountain, mainly with observatories; walking path to Thuong pagoda; cable car route; Yen Tu porch area; the best place to stop and rest; forest resorts; tourist service area; cable car station; information, restaurants, shopping…

The area around Thuong Pagoda is considered a destination for mountain climbing and meditation practice.

Coming to Tay Yen Tu, visitors can also learn about Am Vai pagoda relic in Bien village (Nam Duong commune, Luc Ngan district) which is one of the key relics of the complex of relics and landscapes here. Am Vai pagoda was built near the northern peak of Am Vai mountain with an altitude of more than 700m above sea level, located in the system of pagodas and towers of the Ly – Tran dynasties, XII-XIII centuries. In the past, there was a princess of the Tran dynasty here to practice, so it was called Am Vai pagoda or Am Ni pagoda. In the middle of the mountains and forests, the pagoda still has many ancient imprints such as: Tien cave, Gao cave, Co well, Co Tien table, Buddha’s footprints… On January 9, 2017, Chairman of Bac Giang Provincial People’s Committee signed the Decision 20/QD-UBND approving the master plan for preserving and promoting the value of the historical – cultural relic site and the scenic spot of Am Vai pagoda, Luc Ngan district with a total area of ​​about 1,065 ha.

In 2019, for the first time, Bac Giang province organized the Culture – Tourism Week “Discovering the sacred land of Tay Yen Tu” with very positive results. According to the general report of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Culture – Tourism Week 2019 alone has attracted over 500,000 visitors, with about 3,300 international visitors. The Culture – Tourism Week event has left many good impressions on the people, domestic and international tourists, before, during and after the event.

Bac Giang Culture – Tourism Week 2020 with the theme “Bac Giang – The sacred land of Western Yen Tu” will take place from January 29 to the end of February 12, 2020 (ie, January 5 to the end of February). January 19, Year of the Rat) is associated with the ceremony to receive the National Relic Ranking Certificate, a special site of the Xuong Giang Victory and Spring festivals in 2020 in localities in the province.

If the starting point is the historical site of the Xuong Giang victory site, tourists following the spiritual path of Tay Yen Tu can freely explore the unspoiled beauty of the Mo stream landscape; God Mold; Am Vai; Dong Cao; Khe Ro… then back to Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Truc Lam Zen Monastery – Phuong Hoang… will be an interesting journey.

There are many hidden things in the journey to discover the beauty of “Bac Giang – The sacred land of West Yen Tu” that is inviting visitors to come back.