Today’s A Journey
through Aesthetic Realms
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian, Hungarian, Indonesian,
Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Mongolian,
Persian, Portuguese, Persian, Portuguese,
Russian and Spanish.
The Unsurpassed
Dharma King
is matchless throughout
the three realms
and beyond
Teacher of gods
and humans.
Remember
that Âu Lạc is a holy land.
Do you see the map?
Does it look like an “S”?
Do you see
the Tao symbol?
It has a circle
with the letter “S”
in the middle;
one side is white with a black dot
and the other black with a white dot.
These are called
yin and yang.
Âu Lạc looks like that.
By looking at
the geography,
one can tell that
it’s a sacred land with
extraordinary people.
Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is a
country in Southeast Asia
with a history
of over 4,000 years
of civilization.
Since ancient times,
the sacred and beautiful
land of the descendants
of the Dragon King
and Fairy Princess
has been the birthplace
of many enlightened
spiritual practitioners
such as the
Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng,
Great Master
Khuông Việt,
Zen Master Vạn Hạnh,
Zen Master Mãn Giác,
Lý Era’s National Teacher
Nguyễn Minh Không,
Zen Master Từ Đạo Hạnh,
Grand Master Tuệ Trung,
Zen Master Huyền Quang,
Zen Master Pháp Loa,
Trúc Lâm First Patriarch
Trần Nhân Tông,
Zen Master Vũ Khắc Minh,
and Zen Master
Vũ Khắc Trường.
In modern times,
Âu Lạc has been graced
by Buddha Master Tây An,
founder of the Bửu Sơn
Kỳ Hương Order;
Master Ngô Minh Chiêu,
founder of
the Cao Đài religion;
Master Nguyễn Thành Nam,
founder of Đạo Dừa;
Master Huỳnh Phú Sổ,
founder of
Hòa Hảo Buddhism;
First Master
Minh Đăng Quang,
founder of
the Sangha Bhikshu
Buddhist Association;
and more recently,
Supreme Master Ching Hai,
a world-renowned
spiritual teacher
who imparts
the Quan Yin Method –
all were born
on this holy land.
Buddhism, around 300 BCE,
under the reign
of King Hùng III,
was introduced
to Âu Lạc from India.
Since then Âu Lạc has
been graced by the presence
of many venerable
monks and nuns.
Among them were
great sages who
contributed immensely to
the nation’s development
And worked tirelessly
to disseminate
Truth teachings.
The ancestors of Buddhism
were great Zen masters.
When you go home,
read the book “Vietnamese
Zen Masters,”
written by the Venerable
Thích Thanh Từ.
You will learn how
the Aulacese (Vietnamese)
of the past
practiced spiritually,
who the great
Zen Masters were, and
how enlightened they were.
In Âu Lạc, Buddhism reached
its pinnacle in the Lý
and Trần dynasties.
An excerpt from
“A Collection
of Unusual Tales,”
written by eminent scholar
Nguyễn Dữ, describes:
“Those initiated into
monkhood or nunhood
were as many as half of
the general population.
Pagodas were constructed,
more than 10
in large villages,
and about 5, 6
in small villages.”
Pagodas can be found
throughout the nation,
from north to south.
For instance,
northern Âu Lạc has
the One Pillar Pagoda,
built around 1049; the Đậu Pagoda built in the 11th century;
and Perfume Pagoda,
built at the end
of the 17th century.
The Central region has
Celestial Seal Pagoda,
built in 1694;
Từ Đàm Pagoda
built at the end
of the 17th century; and
Heavenly Lady Pagoda,
officially built in 1601.
The Heavenly Lady Pagoda
in the Complex
of Huế Monuments
was recognized by
the United Nations
Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) in 1993 as a
World Cultural Heritage
site.
Southern Âu Lạc has
Sacred Mountain Cave
Temple,
built in the 18th century,
Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda
at the beginning
of the 19th century, and Tây An Temple
in the 19th century.
From the early 20th century
till now,
Buddhism in Âu Lạc
continues to flourish.
According to statistical data by the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam, the number of Buddhists
taking refuge
in the Three Jewels
(Enlightened Master,
Truth, Saintly Assembly)
have reached
nearly 45 million.
The entire nation has over
44,000 monks and nuns,
with more than
14,000 pagodas, temples
and monasteries.
The temple has become
an endearing image
closely connected
to the life of
the Aulacese people,
who go to the temple
to study profound Buddhist teachings,
find inner peace,
and be reminded
of their ancestors’ virtues,
as conveyed in the verses written by
the Most Venerable
Thích Mãn Giác:
“The temple protects
the spirit of the nation,
It’s our ancestors’ way
of life
since time immemorial.”
During a lecture
at the Việt Nam Temple
in Los Angeles,
California, USA
on March 24, 1991,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
expounded on
the purpose and
significance of a temple.
A temple is
an important place.
Why is it important?
It’s important
not because it’s big
but because
it reminds everyone
not to forget his or her
spiritual aspiration.
Therefore, a temple is
a place for you to come
to study Buddhism,
to stand and walk
more dignified.
You must find the monks
to study Truth teachings
so that your mind
develops further.
But you must protect
the temple.
For example,
if you’ve been going there
for a long time,
the temple would inevitably
have wear and tear,
so you should contribute
your effort and material
resources to upkeep it.
First, the temple represents
the long-standing culture
of Âu Lạc (Vietnam);
it represents a great
religion in the world.
Second, it’s there so that
you can have a refuge
for the spirit, and
third, for our children
to have a place to continue
the virtuous traditions
of the Aulacese
(Vietnamese) people.
We are deeply grateful to
Supreme Master Ching Hai
for her
treasured words
and boundless grace
for the nation and the righteous and pious
people of Âu Lạc.
In a foreign land,
I met you some years ago.
Your nun’s robe,
the color of faded brown,
Both worldly life and
renunciation uncertain.
Born with
a headstrong personality,
In a female form,
you endured controversy.
I read the old verse
with nostalgia –
A cheerful line here,
a line of grievance there.
Each polished sentence
Still quietly reflects
your grace and elegance.
When you passed on,
who cried
and who rejoiced?
To whom could you
explain the misjudgments
and turmoil?
Pray to the Three Jewels
on the high abode
May the Awakened Soul
be saved from
the world of sorrow!
Beauty is often ill-fated;
A poet’s hair turns gray
before others’!
Alas! Alas!
At the Buddha’s altar,
I lit a fragrant incense
In reverence
And prayed
to Amitabha Buddha
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...
Namo Buddha
Namo Dharma (Teachings)
Namo Sangha
(Assembly of renunciates)
Namo Quan Yin
Bodhisattva Mahasattva!
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...
Beauty is often ill-fated;
A poet’s hair turns gray
before others’!
Alas! Alas!
At the Buddha’s altar,
I lit a fragrant incense
In reverence
And prayed
to Amitabha Buddha
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...
Namo Buddha
Namo Dharma (Teachings)
Namo Sangha
(Assembly of renunciates)
Namo Quan Yin
Bodhisattva Mahasattva!
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...
Namo Buddha
Namo Dharma (Teachings)
Namo Sangha
(Assembly of renunciates)
Namo Quan Yin
Bodhisattva Mahasattva!
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...
In today’s program,
we invite you
to visit Từ Đàm Pagoda,
Tà Cú Temple, and
Linh Phong Monastery,
three famous and ancient
Buddhist temples in
central Âu Lạc (Vietnam).
My homeland,
central Âu Lạc
Temple bell peals gently
in the morn and evening
Eternal sound
imbued with our
ancestral heroic spirit
O majestic Từ Đàm Pagoda
Where love sows the seed
of enlightenment.
Through many a storm, my Từ Đàm Pagoda remains...
The gentle melody
of the song
“Từ Đàm, My Homeland”
by composer
Nguyên Thông, refers to
an important event
which occurred at
the ancient pagoda Từ Đàm,
central Âu Lạc, in 1951.
That year, Từ Đàm Pagoda
was the venue
for a meeting
which 51 representatives
from 6 groups
of monk assemblies and
lay spiritual practitioners
from all three regions
of Âu Lạc attended to
establish the Vietnamese
Buddhist Association and
approved the Vietnamese
Buddhist Association’s
joining World Buddhism
Association.
Từ Đàm Pagoda is located
on a large and high area,
2 kilometers from
the center of Huế City.
Từ Đàm means
the benevolent cloud,
symbolizing Buddha.
The temple was founded
after 1695 by the Venerable
Minh Hoàng Tử Dung,
an eminent monk
of Lâm Tế Zen lineage.
Reconstructed in 2006,
Từ Đàm Pagoda nowadays
is spacious with a high
and large three-door gate,
and an elegant tiled roof.
The pagoda yard
is airy, large enough to
hold thousands of people
during ceremonies.
In front of the main hall
is a majestic
7-story Precious Tower,
with Buddha statues
worshiped on every floor.
To the left of the hall
is a statue of
Dr. Lê Đình Thám who
contributed significantly
to help promote Buddhism
and founded
the modern-day
Buddhist Family in Âu Lạc.
The Buddhist Family
consists of members
who regularly participate
in group activities, assist
in the temple’s work,
study Buddha’s teachings,
and acquire living skills.
The purpose
of the Buddhist Family
is to train youths
to become true Buddhists
who help build
Aulacese society
in the Buddhist spirit.
Từ Đàm Pagoda
prides itself
as the founding place
of the Buddhist Family,
an organization
that later spread
throughout the country.
Từ Đàm Pagoda
is now the headquarter of
the Buddhist Association
in Thừa Thiên-Huế
Province.
Important Buddhist
ceremonies in Huế
are always held solemnly
at this pagoda.
My homeland is here
Aloewood incense smoke
softly wafts day and night
Sounds of scripture
reciting linger this evening
O cherished
Từ Đàm Pagoda
Where North and South
join as one family
Hand in hand,
for the sake of humanity,
O Từ Đàm!
Another traditional temple
not to be missed
every time
one visits central Âu Lạc
is Tà Cú Temple
in Bình Thuận Province.
Hidden in
a vast verdant forest
of ancient trees,
the temple has been
recognized as a national
historical-cultural
monument.
Tà Cú Temple is
comprised of two temples:
Upper Temple
(or Patriarch Temple)
and Lower Temple.
The Patriarch Temple
was founded
by Patriarch Hữu Đức
in about 1872.
The Lower Temple
was built
after Patriarch Hữu Đức
passed on.
These two temples
are situated south
of Tà Cú Mountain,
at the height of 475 meters
above sea level.
Tà Cú Temple is famous
for its majestic scenery
and idyllic mountain
and forests.
On the other hand,
with reverence, humans
through many generations
have created
grand architectural works
of art such as
the 49-meter-long statue
of Shakyamuni Buddha
entering Nirvana.
To cast this Buddha statue,
200 workers worked
day and night
for two years.
Nearby are statues
of Amitabha Buddha,
Quan Yin Bodhisattva,
and Mahasthamaprapta
Bodhisattva,
viewing the whole world
with gentle countenance
as if ready to save beings.
About 100 meters
under the statue’s foot
is a mountain cave where
the founding Patriarch
practiced spiritually.
In 1993, Tà Cú Temple,
along with the forests
in the nature reserve area,
was ranked a national
attraction of Âu Lạc.
On the road
from Quy Nhơn City
to Nhơn Hội,
passing Bà Mountain
at Phù Cát District,
we will see a glimpse
of a crimson rooftop
amidst the deep green
forest trees.
That’s
Linh Phong Monastery,
one of the most ancient
Buddhist temples
in Bình Định Province.
From the road going to
the mountain’s foot
about a couple of meters,
we will see the pillars
that open up
to the stone steps
leading to the monastery.
The way to the monastery
still retains its pristine look,
with plants growing
between the rocks.
Climbing
over 100 stone steps,
we will see the monastery
at the height of 400 meters
above sea level.
According to
Linh Phong Monastery’s
record book, in 1702,
Zen Master Tịnh Giác
came to this mountain,
built a thatched hut
to practice spiritually,
and used tree bark
to make clothes.
When needing food,
he’d carry firewood
to the foot of the mountain,
and left it there.
Local people would bring
rice and salt to exchange.
The following day,
the Master would go down
to gather the food,
then quietly returned
to the mountain.
Every time an epidemic
plagued the village,
he would bring medicine
down the mountain
to treat people, then
immediately left without
taking any payment.
The north side
of the mountain
still retains the vestige
of a large stone cave
where Master Tịnh Giác
practiced spiritually before.
In 1733,
Lord Nguyễn Phúc Chú,
who praised the Master
as a true spiritual
practitioner, ordered
the temple renovation,
and renamed it
Linh Phong Monastery.
Nowadays,
Linh Phong Monastery
has been
totally reconstructed.
In front of the main hall
is the Quan Yin Bodhisattva
statue with
the vase of Pure Water.
In the back
is the Patriarch Hall
where a statue
of Master Tịnh Giác
is worshipped.
Under the shade
of lush ancient trees, with
a waft of fragrant lotus,
one feels light and peaceful.
Crossing a bridge
over a stream,
following stone steps
to go up the mountain
behind the temple,
here we find
many ancient towers
among mountain stones
and forest trees.
This is where the
temple’s deceased abbots
were buried.
Further into the mountain,
there are many stones
stacking up,
creating a tranquil space
suitable for meditation.
From the mountain,
looking yonder,
we’ll see the clear blue
Thị Nại Lagoon.
Near the mountain’s foot
are villages
with brown tiled roofs
standing out
from green paddy fields.
Along the seaside,
waves toss up white foams.
Leaving the monastery,
we come to realize
that this world is really
beautiful and charming.
Thank you for watching
today’s program
introducing a number of
famous ancient temples
in central Âu Lạc.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
Coming up next is
Vegetarianism:
The Noble Way of Living,
right after
Noteworthy News.
So long for now.