Commemorating the 695th anniversary of the passing of the Second Patriarch Phap Loa: Returning to the roots of Vietnamese Buddhism

The Venerable Phap Loa (1284-1330) is the Second Patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen Sect, inheriting the career of propagating the true Dharma from Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong. Born in Hai Duong, He renounced the world early and became an outstanding disciple of Tran Nhan Tong. During more than 20 years of propagating the Dharma, Phap Loa ordained tens of thousands of monks and nuns, built many large pagodas, and compiled numerous valuable scriptures.

The 695th anniversary commemoration of the passing of the Second Patriarch Phap Loa on March 29 and 30, 2025 (i.e., the 1st and 2nd days of the 3rd lunar month, Year of At Ty) at the cable car station courtyard of Ngoa Van Pagoda.

The memorial ceremony aims to honor and express gratitude for the merits of the Second Patriarch Phap Loa - a Zen master who played an important role in inheriting and developing Truc Lam Buddhism, contributing to spreading a Buddhist spirit imbued with Vietnamese identity. The event not only commemorates the merits and career of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam but also contributes to preserving and promoting the cultural and historical values of the Tran Dynasty heritage in Dong Trieu.

According to information from the organizing committee, the 695th anniversary commemoration of the passing of the Second Patriarch Phap Loa will take place over two days, March 29 and 30, 2025, at the Ngoa Van Pagoda Relic Site (Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh), with many meaningful activities, including: The 695th memorial ceremony of the Second Patriarch Phap Loa and a tribute art program, with the participation of numerous venerable monks, nuns, Buddhists, and representatives of agencies and departments.

The main ceremonial part includes important rituals such as: The 695th memorial ceremony for the passing of the Second Patriarch Phap Loa; the incense-offering ritual praying for national peace and prosperity at Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda - a place closely associated with the religious life of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam…

The tribute art program includes songs bearing the distinct colors of Truc Lam Buddhism such as "Ngoa Van ca" (The Song of Ngoa Van) and "Phat do" (Buddha's Salvation) (composed by lay Buddhist Nguyen Duc Thanh). Notably, within the framework of the program, attendees will enjoy two special excerpts from the Cai Luong (reformed opera) play about the Second Patriarch, Venerable Phap Loa, scripted by Dr. Bui Huu Duoc and performed by Meritorious Artist Tran Quang Khai together with the Hanoi Cai Luong Theater. The play recreates the important milestones in the religious life of Zen Master Phap Loa - the successor of the Truc Lam Zen Sect from Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong.

Meritorious Artist Tran Quang Khai and the Hanoi Cai Luong Theater will perform 2 special excerpts from the Cai Luong play about the Second Patriarch, Venerable Phap Loa, scripted by Dr. Bui Huu Duoc.

The two performed scenes include: Phap Loa being confirmed by Dieu Ngu Giac Hoang (The Ascetic Emperor) Tran Nhan Tong as the Second Patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen Sect, recreating the solemn ceremony on the 1st of January, 1308, at Sieu Loai Pagoda; and the scene of King Tran Anh Tong paying respects to the Second Patriarch Phap Loa, expressing admiration for the wisdom and virtue of Zen Master Phap Loa, while requesting His teachings on upholding the Dharma and bringing peace to the people's hearts. Within the framework of the Memorial Ceremony, the tribute cultural exchange program will take place on the evening of March 29, 2025, coordinated by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh Province, Ngoa Van Yen Tu Cultural Tourism Joint Stock Company, and the "Ngoi truong cuoc song sac mau tu nhien" (School of Life - Natural Colors) Club.

Ngoa Van Pagoda

Holding the memorial ceremony at Ngoa Van - which was once the practice center of the Truc Lam Zen Sect - aims to honor the sacred value of this event, while contributing to raising public awareness of the Ngoa Van historical relic site - the Sanctuary of Vietnamese Buddhism.

The 695th anniversary commemoration of the passing of the Second Patriarch, Venerable Phap Loa, is one of the important cultural and spiritual events in 2025 of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh Province, holding profound significance for the large number of attending monks, nuns, Buddhists, and tourists from all over.