Yen Tu Heritage – Sacred Land, the Birthplace of Truc Lam Meditation School

Yen Tu Heritage is where King Tran Nhan Tong attained Buddhahood, founding the Truc Lam Yen Tu Meditation School, a meditation tradition deeply embedded in Vietnamese culture!

Yen Tu Heritage – Sacred Land, the Birthplace of Truc Lam Meditation School

Cultural and Historical Values of Yen Tu Heritage

Truc Lam Yen Tu Meditation School was established by assimilating the essence of Indian and Chinese Buddhism; a meditation tradition with a distinct cultural identity. The philosophy emphasizes that enlightenment is within oneself, not in distant places or future lives. The Buddha is merely a guiding teacher, not a deity.

With a stable and enlightened mind, letting go of worldly desires, and living a serene life, wisdom will arise, ignorance will be dispelled, and all suffering will cease, leading to natural enlightenment. Based on this perspective, Truc Lam Yen Tu Meditation School is the foundation of the intellectual and ethical values of the golden era of the Tran dynasty.

At the pinnacle of the Truc Lam Meditation School, Yen Tu Heritage encompasses a vast area adorned with iconic structures: Long Dong, Hoa Yen, Van Tieu (Uong Bi), Quynh Lam, Ho Thien, Ngoa Van (Dong Trieu), Thanh Mai, Con Son (Chi Linh, Hai Duong), and other constructions in the mountainous region west of Yen Tu.

The existing traces at Yen Tu today include hundreds of pagodas dedicated to enlightenment, dozens of temple foundations, and thousands of ancient artifacts: statues, bells, stone tablets, tiles, bricks, ceramics, and porcelain.

In the two wars for independence from the empire and colonial rule, Yen Tu Heritage served as a revolutionary stronghold, where our troops trained and stood guard to protect the Vietnamese sky.

Spiritual significance of the heritage

Legend has it that over 2,000 years ago, Yen Ky came to these mountains to cultivate Taoism, harvest herbs, refine elixirs for longevity, and heal the sick, and upon passing, transformed into a stone statue, known as 'Master Yen' or 'Yen Tu.'

Subsequently, it became a place of spiritual practice for virtuous heroes, from Master Hien Quang in the Ly era to the Masters: Dao Vien, Dai Dang, Tieu Dieu, Hue Tue, Tam To Truc Lam during the Tran period, and from Master Chan Nguyen in the Le era to the Nun Dam Thai in the Nguyen dynasty (early 20th century).

Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (1258 – 1308) ascended the throne at the age of 20. After successfully uniting forces to defeat the Mongol invaders, he conducted effective reconciliations and built a prosperous Dai Viet nation.

Abandoning the throne at the age of 35, he retreated to Vu Lam palace and ascended Yen Tu mountain for ascetic practice. Transitioning from a monarch, he embraced the esteemed role within the Buddhist realm. He passed away at Ngoa Van hermitage on the Yen Tu mountain, where the Hue Quang stupa commemorates his legacy.

The natural beauty of Yen Tu

When you visit Yen Tu Heritage, you'll be immersed in the mountainous landscapes of Northeast Vietnam. This region is characterized by overlapping hills, all converging towards Yen Tu, resembling a watercolor painting.

The mountain summit retains traces of Earth's geological formation from 10 million years ago, featuring a significant coal deposit. The natural forest preserves diverse genetic resources of fauna and flora.

Among the 206 animal species here, over 20 rare species are listed in the Red Book: flying squirrels, horned frogs, crocodile lizards, spiny frogs, and snub-nosed monkeys. Out of 830 plant species, 38 rare and endemic species include: myrrh trees, flower mats, forest han trees, green lim trees, fragrant balsams, arrow bamboos, and pine bamboo...

Moreover, this place is adorned with ancient pine rows, fruit orchards spanning over seven centuries, bamboo forests stretching endlessly, golden apricot groves, and blooming clusters of chrysanthemums, making the scenic beauty even more magnificent in the eyes of travelers.

Yen Tu Heritage has long been a sacred Buddhist land, a beloved pilgrimage site for devout followers and nature enthusiasts. Follow Mytour's blog to discover more insightful articles!

By Mytour

***

Reference: Mytour Travel Guide