The Tran Temple seal with locals and tourists

Locals and tourists offer incense to the Tran Kings after receiving blessings and seals.

On the morning of the 15th day of the first lunar month, the weather in Nam Dinh was rainy and cold, but people from all over the country flocked to Tran Temple in Nam Dinh city to receive the seal. Present at the seal distribution area at Thien Truong Temple from early morning, Mr. Tong Van Cuong from Bac Kan province said: "The Organizing Committee arranged the seal distribution area reasonably and conveniently; people didn't have to wait long, and there was no crowding." Mr. Cuong hoped to receive a seal to pray for good health and smooth sailing in all endeavors in the new year.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh, Head of the Management Board of the Tran Temple - Thap Pagoda Historical Site in Nam Dinh City, informed that the Organizing Committee has ensured a sufficient quantity of printed amulets for the public. The distribution of amulets will continue until the end of January and may extend into February if there is still demand from visitors.

Over the years, the Party committees and authorities at all levels in Nam Dinh province, along with the media, have actively propagated and raised awareness among the people and tourists. As a result, people have increasingly understood the meaning and core values ​​of this festival, and have followed the regulations of the Organizing Committee correctly. Consequently, there is no longer chaos and抢夺 (scrambling for) offerings on the altars during the seal-opening ceremony; there is no longer pushing and shoving to receive the seal, instead, people line up in an orderly manner to receive the seal...

Previously, many people believed that the seal of the Tran Temple was given by the Tran Kings to officials and meritorious individuals, thus implying the bestowal of wealth and promotion. However, according to cultural researchers, this understanding does not accurately reflect the original nature and meaning of the Seal Opening and Distribution Festival, which has been maintained and organized by the people of Tuc Mac village, Nam Dinh city, from ancient times to the present day.

Many tourists were delighted after receiving lucky charms.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thu, former Director of the Nam Dinh Provincial Museum and a researcher of Nam Dinh culture, analyzed that the seal on the Tran Temple has the words "Tran Mieu Tu Dien," meaning the regulations for worship at the Tran Dynasty temple; "Tran Mieu," meaning the Tran Dynasty temple; and the phrase "Tich Phuc Vo Cuong." The essence of the phrase "Tich Phuc Vo Cuong," bestowed upon descendants by the Tran Dynasty kings, was to encourage the people to accumulate blessings for a long time, to admonish them to do good, and to do things beneficial to the community.

Thus, the seal "Tran Mieu Tu Dien" is not associated with any administrative level or official position, but simply signifies the rituals of worship at the "Tran Temple". Nevertheless, the seal is preserved and rituals are performed in a sacred space, the place of worship for the Tran kings and Saint Tran, formerly the palaces of the Tran dynasty's Supreme Emperor within the Thien Truong Royal Palace – the second center of power of Dai Viet in the 13th-14th centuries.

According to folk beliefs, possessing a royal seal is like receiving blessings from the King or the Saints, hoping for good fortune and blessings in the new year. Attending the Tran Temple Seal Opening Ceremony is also a meaningful spring excursion and pilgrimage to learn more about the history and culture of the Tran Dynasty in particular, and the land and people of Nam Dinh in general.

Mr. Thu acknowledged that, in the past, many people may have misunderstood the meaning of the festival, believing that obtaining the seal and receiving blessings would lead to career advancement, power, and good fortune, resulting in jostling and pushing at the seal distribution points. In recent years, people have gained a fuller understanding of the festival's significance, and the chaotic situation at Tran Temple has largely disappeared.

Distributing seals to the people and tourists at Tran Temple (Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City, Nam Dinh Province)

According to Mr. Thu, personal advancement must be the result of one's own efforts and self-improvement. Each person needs to uphold the traditions of their ancestors, strive to learn and improve themselves continuously in their work; continuing historical traditions and contributing to the building and development of their homeland and country.

The Seal Opening Ceremony is a humane cultural custom in which the King offers sacrifices to heaven, earth, and ancestors, expressing his reverence and gratitude to the nation and his forefathers who founded and defended the country.

The meaning of the four characters "Tích phúc vô cương" (Accumulating boundless blessings) inscribed on the seal bestowed by the Tran kings upon their descendants is that, in order to spread blessings among the people and teach them to uphold family traditions, discipline, and morality, they must accumulate blessings thoroughly and abundantly so that future prosperity will be lasting. This is the profound educational significance of the Tran kings' bestowal of the seal.

TH (according to the News newspaper)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/an-den-tran-voi-nguoi-dan-va-du-khach-373754.html