On February 20 - 21 (the 23rd - 24th of the first lunar month), at the Ngoa Van relic site, Dong Trieu City, Quang Ninh Province, a "Cultural Exchange in Gratitude to the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam" took place.
The event was co-organized by the Cultural Heritage Research Institute; Ngoa Van Yen Tu Culture Joint Stock Company, and the Colorful Natural Life School Club, on the occasion of the 691st death anniversary of the Third Patriarch of Truc Lam, Huyen Quang. The aim was to help the public better understand Truc Lam Buddhism and the cultural and spiritual values of the Vietnamese people.
Dr. Bui Huu Duoc, former Director of the Buddhism Department under the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, sharing at the program.
According to Dr. Bui Huu Duoc, an in-depth study of Vietnamese history and religious history shows that Dong Trieu City is a land containing many historical and cultural values tied to the ups and downs of the nation. This is also a sacred land housing the Tran Dynasty's Royal Temple and the Vietnamese Buddhist Sanctuary - Ngoa Van Hermitage, where King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong practiced Buddhism in his final days and entered Nirvana, and where the Buddhist Emperor Tower was erected.
) Venerable Thich Dao Hien, Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh Province, speaking at the event.
Meritorious Artist Tran Quang Khai from the Vietnam Cai Luong Theater performing an excerpt from the play "The King-Monk".
Calligraphy exchange with the theme "Zen in Calligraphy".
Ngoa Van Peak is considered one of the sacred spots that helped wise kings like Tran Nhan Tong reflect on the destiny of the nation and its people. Here, King Tran Nhan Tong renounced his throne to practice religion, seeking a path to bring happiness and peace to the country and the people.
Therefore, the spiritual and cultural exchange in gratitude to the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam in Dong Trieu is of great significance; contributing to spreading the values of Truc Lam Buddhism from the past to the present, and the cultural and spiritual values of the Vietnamese people in general," said Dr. Bui Huu Duoc.
Poetry recitation on the theme of Truc Lam.
At the exchange program on the afternoon and evening of Feb 20, delegates listened to representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha share about the "Merits of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam and the contributions of the Third Patriarch Huyen Quang to the Dharma and the Nation"; the flow of Truc Lam Buddhism in the past and present...
Also at the event, there were poetry recitations on the theme of Truc Lam, the position of Ngoa Van Hermitage in the minds of Vietnamese people, and a "Zen in Calligraphy" exchange...
On Feb 21, delegates will make a pilgrimage to Ngoa Van Hermitage and hold an incense-offering ceremony to the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam.