The incense-offering ritual and the memorial ceremony expressing gratitude for the merits of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam took place solemnly on the morning of February 21, 2025, at Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda, demonstrating the reverence and gratitude of younger generations toward their predecessors.
The incense-offering ritual at Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda and the memorial ceremony in gratitude for the merits of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam are activities within the framework of the "Cultural Exchange in Gratitude to the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam" event, co-organized by the Cultural Heritage Research Institute, Ngoa Van Yen Tu Cultural Tourism Joint Stock Company, and the Colorful Natural Life School Club.
Coming to Ngoa Van - an important historical and spiritual landmark of Vietnam, the attending guests all had very special emotions. Meritorious Artist Tran Quang Khai was deeply moved and sang a verse from the play "The King-Monk" about Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, which he participated in 10 years ago.
Guests participating in the incense-offering ritual and the memorial ceremony in gratitude for the merits of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam.
"In 2014, I had the predestined affinity to play the role of King Tran Nhan Tong, and today, 10 years later, I am able to visit Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda - where he practiced religion and entered Nirvana. Standing on this sacred land, I am extremely moved and feel lucky," said Meritorious Artist Tran Quang Khai.
Meritorious Artist Tran Quang Khai also added that this year, he hopes to have the opportunity to recreate the play about Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong together with the Vietnam Circus Federation. This Cultural Exchange in Gratitude to the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam gave him more inspiration to carry out the project.
Painter Thai Tinh (right) at Ngoa Van Pagoda.
Painter Thai Tinh is a Zen practitioner. Here, he feels that Ngoa Van Hermitage truly lives up to its name as a pagoda above the clouds, with scenery resembling a fairyland. "I feel relaxed and tranquil standing in the midst of this place. Ngoa Van Hermitage also brings me a very special source of positive energy and creativity," shared Painter Thai Tinh.
With its prime spiritual location, Ngoa Van Hermitage is not only a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists but also a symbol of the Truc Lam Zen Sect's spirit, closely tied to the nation's history.
Today, the Ngoa Van relic site is a large complex of pagodas and stupas arranged in three tiers on Bao Dai Mountain. The first tier consists of 15 relics at the foot of the mountain, such as the Tan Long old-growth forest, Am Tra Shrine, Do Kieu, Thong Dan, and Ba Bac. These relics are connected by a winding road running gradually up to the mountain peak.
The second tier is the Middle Ngoa Van Pagoda built during the Tran Dynasty. After decades of deterioration, the current new pagoda has been restored following the "Nhi" (二) character architectural style, simulating the architecture of the Le Trung Hung period, consisting of two halls: The Front Hall, where a statue of Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong crafted from red jade is placed, flanked by the shrines of the Merit-Encouraging Dharmapala and the Evil-Punishing Dharmapala. The Back Hall features a three-compartment, two-wing architecture: on the central altar, the top tier is dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha, flanked by two Buddhist attendants, Ananda and Mahakashyapa; the second tier is the Triratna (Three Jewels) altar, flanked by the altars of the Holy Lord (Duc Ong) and the Holy Sage (Duc Thanh Hien).
The third tier is also the highest tier of the Ngoa Van relic site, a place praised by the ancients: "Van co anh linh tu - Tu thoi canh sac tan" (Meaning: "Eternally a sacred pagoda - Four seasons of fresh scenery").
The Buddhist Emperor Stupa is where a portion of the Buddhist Emperor's relics is kept, and the Fairy Chessboard is located on the highest peak, overlooking a picturesque mountainous landscape.
Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda is located at the focal point, the place where Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong once practiced to enlightenment and entered Nirvana. Therefore, Ngoa Van Hermitage - Pagoda is the sanctuary of Truc Lam Buddhism.
The incense-offering ritual and the memorial ceremony in gratitude for the merits of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam, as well as the "Cultural Exchange in Gratitude to the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam" event, bear the significance of remembering predecessors. It is an opportunity for the community to delve deeper into Truc Lam Buddhism. Through this, attendees can listen to stories about the life philosophies and religious ideologies of the patriarchs, as well as the significance of Buddhism in Vietnamese life from the past to the present.