Buzz
Not just renowned as a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Tổ Temple (Phuc Nghiem Pagoda) in Man Xa village, Ha Man commune, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh, is also known for its mystical tales in the ancient Buddhist center of Northern Vietnam.
Visiting the temple close to the full moon, we still felt a solemn and serene atmosphere. The temple courtyard carried the fragrance of incense, and the sound of sweeping leaves echoed through the air. However, the most memorable aspect remains the legendary stories with a touch of mythology about this almost 'forgotten' temple in the oldest Buddhist land in Vietnam.
'Mother temple - Daughter temple'
Situated along the Lục River, Tổ Temple was constructed in the 2nd century AD and underwent a grand renovation in 1313 with 50 chambers. When asked about the origin of its name, the caretaker explained that it is dedicated to worshiping Lady Man Nương, the ancestral mother of the fourfold Buddhist system.
Legend has it that Man Nương gave birth to a baby girl, and later, Master Khâu Đà La – the founder of the Buddhist doctrine – brought the infant near a strawberry tree. Unfortunately, the branches spread wide, and the child disappeared into it.
Several years later, storms and rain caused a tree to fall, and its trunk floated down the Luy Lâu River. In a prophetic dream, locals cast the tree trunk into four statues, corresponding to the Four Heavenly Deities: Pháp Vân, Pháp Vũ, Pháp Lôi, Pháp Điện. These four statues are regarded as the four daughters of Lady Man Nương.
Subsequently, every few years, during a grand ceremony, people would parade the statues from the temples dedicated to Pháp Lôi, Pháp Điện, Pháp Vũ to the Dâu Temple, where they worship Pháp Vân, the eldest sister. After that, all four statues are paraded back to the 'mother temple,' Tổ Temple.
'For many devotees, before visiting Dâu Temple, they must visit Tổ Temple because to visit the daughter, one must first pay respects to the mother, even though the scale and prominence of Tổ Temple are not as renowned as Dâu Temple. In my village, every few years, there is a procession bringing the village goddess to 'pay respects' to Mr. Hoang, but I have never seen a procession of four temples returning to one place like at Tổ Temple,' the caretaker narrates.
The Never-ending Water Pond
Speaking of the legends at Tổ Temple, my local friends, the 'natives,' guided me to the temple, still sharing tales of the never-ending water pond in the temple courtyard. Going from the front hall to the right side of the courtyard, you will encounter a water pond.
Legend has it that in a year of drought, the people in the surrounding area faced hardship, with dry and barren land. When Lady Man Nương planted the staff, a relic of the venerable Khâu Đà Là, into the ground, a stream of water spouted into the sky, irrigating the entire agricultural region.
The water channel from ancient times continues to expand, forming a lotus pond behind Tổ Temple. This pond is believed to be inexhaustible, as even after villagers have slapped the pond a few times, pumping water causes the water level to rise again.
Many attempted to plunge bamboo sticks into the depths of the pond, but no one could feel the bottom. Now, the locals avoid touching the pond, considering it a sacred place within the temple.
There's a hypothesis that the water in the pond is connected to the river, causing it to automatically rise whenever the river water level surges. In the late afternoon, elderly villagers gather in the temple courtyard, storytelling by the pond, recounting ancient tales.
Dragon's Tear Well
Engaging in conversations with the village's senior citizens, we heard numerous stories about the architecture and special locations within the temple. In front of the Ancestral Temple's courtyard, two small ponds exist, flooded during the rainy season and displaying a purple hue during droughts.
Two wells stand side by side, positioned along the straight path leading to the main gate of the temple. From a distance, the two small ponds resemble the eyes of a dragon, one with a rounded bulge and the other with a pointed tail-like projection.
With deep spiritual and historical significance, Feng Shui experts believe that Tổ Temple is constructed on the dragon's vein at the dragon's head.
It's believed that when worshippers pass from the main gate through the temple's brick courtyard and gaze into the wells, the dragon's eyes can discern between those with virtuous intentions and those with malicious motives.
While other temples undergo extensive renovations and expansions, Tổ Temple continues to rest quietly within the lush shade of greenery. The main hall of the temple is slightly damp, with several sections of the roof showing signs of wear.
Until now, the temple has undergone recent renovations due to the rainwater damage to the statues of Lady Man Nương and Khâu Đà La.
However, for those who appreciate the scenic beauty of the temple, everyone perhaps wishes for the temple to maintain its serene and peaceful ambiance, allowing for tranquil visits to escape the complexities of life.
Source: Tuoitre.vn
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Explore: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourDecember 8, 2015
