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Ngoa Van Tu, the Realm of Buddha and Celestial Beauty

Ngoa Van Tu, Meaning "Pagoda on the Clouds". Located on Mount Bao Dai at an altitude of over 700 meters above sea level, the Pagoda boasts a stunning location nestled against the Ngoa Van peak, surrounded by year-round clouds. It is flanked by two mountain ranges embracing it from both sides, with a small mountain in front and distant valleys with the winding Cam River.

A masterpiece of untouched nature

Founded during the Tran dynasty as a place where the first patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen lineage, King Tran Nhan Tong, practiced Buddhism, the Pagoda has been continuously revered and expanded by his disciples into a complex of Pagodas, hermitages, and towers of the Truc Lam Zen lineage on Mount Bao Dai. During the Later Le dynasty, many grand architectural structures were added. The architecture of the Pagoda area consists of three tiers. At the top is Ngoa Van Hermitage, within which sits an altar with a bronze statue of King Tran Nhan Tong in the posture of entering Nirvana.

 

Not only preserving sacred traces of King Tran Nhan Tong, the Ngoa Van historical site is also a place of majestic natural landscapes. Located within the crescent-shaped area of Dong Trieu, Ngoa Van seems to be enveloped and embraced by lush green mountains. Visiting Ngoa Van, one can admire centuries-old pine trees with trunks wide enough to encircle several people, and bamboo forests stretching endlessly.

 

Ngọa Vân Tự ‘nơi cảnh phật – cõi tiên’ ảnh 1 

Ngoa Van  - a sacred land where King Trần Nhân Tông practiced and attained Buddhahood.

In August 1299, King Tran Nhan Tong renounced the throne and embarked on a journey to Mount Yen Tu for rigorous ascetic practice, initially known as Huong Van Dai Dau Da, later changed to Truc Lam Dai Si. He founded the Truc Lam Zen lineage and in May 1307, he established a small hermitage atop Mount Bao Dai called Ngoa Van Hermitage, where he devoted himself to meditation. On the 1st day of the 11th lunar month in 1308, King Tran Nhan Tong peacefully passed away into Nirvana at Ngoa Van Hermitage. The exact location where he entered Nirvana is now the site of Ngoa Van Hermitage.

 

After King Tran Nhan Tong's passing, his disciple Phap Loa organized a cremation ceremony at Ngoa Van, where thousands of his relics were collected. Some of these relics are enshrined in the stupa at Ngoa Van Hermitage. Ngoa Van is revered as a place of pilgrimage and a repository of sacred relics, representing the spiritual heart of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhism in Vietnam.

 

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Son, the site manager of Ngoa Van Hermitage, Ngoa Van is not only a repository of many sacred relics of Truc Lam Buddhism, but also boasts stunning natural beauty. The landscape is described as "a legendary ancient mountain standing tall, spanning thousands of miles, with deep, vast valleys." Every spring, especially after the opening ceremony on the 9th day of the Lunar New Year, Ngoa Van attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists seeking blessings for themselves, their families, and loved ones throughout the year.

 

Pilgrimage to Ngoa Van has become more accessible now. Visitors can trek along the Phu Am Tra stream for nearly 3 km, ascending over 1000 steps to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and experience the profound emotions of the monks who once practiced asceticism at Ngoa Van. Alternatively, one can relax and enjoy the panoramic views from one of the 54 cabins of the Ngoa Van cable car, which operates from morning till night over a distance of more than 2 km. This allows for a leisurely observation of the majestic landscapes, layered clouds, and the pure, refreshing air of the Buddha's realm—a place of peace and tranquility, akin to the gentle touch of morning mist.

Pilgrims visiting Ngoa Van Pagoda

On January 5th of the Gregorian calendar, Ngoa Van Tu welcomed thousands of devotees and Buddhists who made a pilgrimage to commemorate and participate in the Lunar New Year gratitude ceremony. The activities during this journey included pilgrims ascending to Ngoa Van Pagoda, paying homage to Ngoa Van Hermitage, listening to teachings from venerable monks about the legends and philosophy of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, and joining in the offering ceremony to King Tran Nhan Tong during the Chap gratitude ritual.

 

During this special occasion, journalist Truong Anh Ngoc and his family had the opportunity to visit the relics where King Tran Nhan Tong attained Buddhahood, sharing deeply moving experiences. "As a frequent traveler around the world, visiting Ngoa Van for the first time was deeply moving for me. The majestic natural landscape is exceptionally well-preserved, and the sacred atmosphere where King Tran Nhan Tong attained Buddhahood was profoundly touching. I was also pleasantly surprised by the short distance from Hanoi—a bustling city—to such a peaceful, pristine, and wonderful place, which took less than 2 hours."

 

Explore the sacred Buddhist sanctuary amidst the untouched and majestic natural beauty in the video clip:

 

Pilgrims ascended to the peak of Ngoa Van, lit a candle to pay respects to King Tran Nhan Tong, then stepped into the courtyard to admire the breathtaking mountainous landscape, intertwined with expansive white clouds, unfolding like a picturesque ink wash painting. It was a moment where one felt connected with all that is beautiful and pristine in the soul—a gift that Ngoa Van bestows upon every visitor fortunate enough to experience its beauty.

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