The Zen monastery nurtures martial arts

The children attentively practice under the guidance of a martial arts master in the temple courtyard.

"Sowing the seeds" of discipline and willpower.

Every summer afternoon, in the clean brick courtyard, the cheerful shouts of the children resound, marking the beginning of a special free traditional martial arts training session. The class is initiated and organized by Venerable Thich Thanh Hien, the head of Khanh Long Pagoda, in collaboration with martial arts master Trinh Duc Sung. The class harmoniously combines physical training, moral development, and the awakening of a chivalrous spirit in the younger generation. In this solemn setting, the children's martial arts training is unlike that of any other sports center.

Venerable Thich Thanh Hien received us in his small guesthouse, amidst the tinkling of wind chimes on the veranda. His voice was warm and gentle, enough to put the listener at ease from the very first words. Originally from Khanh Hoa province, Venerable Thich Thanh Hien has been connected to Thai Nguyen since 2010. Afterward, he spent four years studying Buddhism in Sri Lanka, one of the cradles of Theravada Buddhism. He returned to Vietnam at the end of 2019.

And then, as if by a fortunate coincidence, he was invited to this land to assist the local people and Buddhist followers. Through his gentle sharing, we saw a profound aspiration emerge: not only to propagate Buddhism, but also to create a space where Buddhist principles are intertwined with the traditional culture of the nation, including Vietnamese martial arts.

The martial arts master meticulously corrected each hand movement and footwork step for his young student during the training session.

The martial arts master meticulously corrected each hand movement and footwork for his student.

The Khanh Long Tu martial arts school was born from that very aspiration, a silent but powerful desire to nurture the younger generation with both moral principles and the will to live. It's not about anything extraordinary, but begins with the simplest things: a proper bow, a stable stance, a steady breathing rhythm.

In the teacher's eyes, every movement, every word of advice, was a way of sowing good seeds in the children's souls. Standing here, I wonder: is this still just a martial arts class? Or rather, is it a place where the children learn how to be good people, where martial arts and Buddhism blend together, nurturing young souls on their journey of intellectual and spiritual enlightenment?

The Khánh Long martial arts school has 10 members, including Master Trịnh Đức Sung - the head instructor, representing 5 teachers who directly teach. The classes are organized according to the standards of traditional Southern Shaolin martial arts. Children aged 9 and above can participate. During the normal school year, children train twice a week on weekends; in the summer, classes are intensified to three times a week.

A course lasts approximately four months, culminating in a belt promotion exam according to the martial arts' standards, from yellow belt to red belt to black belt. Those with aptitude and passion are selected for the core group, becoming future assistant instructors and coaches.

During the summer, the free martial arts class is extended to all children in the area. Uniforms, materials, equipment, instructors… everything is fully provided by the temple. Currently, the second summer course is underway with nearly 70 students from the villages of Ngo, Ca, Lang U, Lang Vau, Gian, Vuc Giang, Vang Ngoai, Gieng Mat… At times, the class has over 100 students.

What makes this class special isn't that it's free, but the training method. Before learning martial arts, students must learn body control, class rules, the dojo's regulations, and the temple's rules of conduct. A restless mind makes a strong body; that's the core principle. Therefore, each martial arts session here begins with calmness, not boisterous excitement.

The one who ignites the fire of mind and body.

Contributing to the professionalism and effectiveness of the martial arts class at Khanh Long Pagoda is Master Trinh Duc Sung, who has dedicated his life to the traditional Southern Shaolin martial arts. Many affectionately call him "the martial arts master of the Tea region." He not only brings martial arts to the class at Khanh Long Pagoda but also instills the spirit of chivalry, emphasizing morality and patience.

In the temple courtyard, martial arts master Trinh Duc Sung, dressed in a black uniform embroidered with gold thread and a striking red belt—a distinctive attire of the Southern Shaolin school—spoke in a steady yet powerful voice: “Left stance, firm footing, do not fall!” The children listened intently, hanging on every word. Some, learning martial arts for the first time, were clumsy in their movements, but after just a few lessons, they were able to perform the techniques with decisive precision.

After the technical training session, the students were divided into groups for light sparring practice, creating a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere.

Among the younger students, Nguyen Gia Linh, an 8th-grade student from Tan Hoa Secondary School, shared briefly and sincerely: "I find the lessons easy to understand, fun, and it helps me concentrate better. I hope to continue studying martial arts at the temple for a long time."

As for Pham Van Dam, a student from Vang Ngoai hamlet, nearly 5km from the pagoda, he still regularly cycles to class every week. Although each student attends class for their own reasons, the common thread is the noticeable change after each lesson: they are more confident, more polite, and more connected to the group.

Watching her child practice, Ms. Nguyen Thi An (from Tro hamlet, Luong Phu commune) couldn't hide her joy. She confided: "My child is 13 years old this year. It's the age people often say is awkward and unpredictable. But since starting martial arts classes at the temple, she's changed completely: she's more well-behaved, speaks more politely, and no longer disobeys adults. Especially, she spends less time glued to the TV and phone."

Meanwhile, Ms. Bui Thi Hoa, mother of two children aged 6 and 8, happily shared: "When the two children come home, they spontaneously greet their grandparents, tidy up their belongings, and are no longer afraid to exercise like before. Seeing them change like this, I feel truly relieved."

The learning environment is not confined within four walls. Under the trees, on the tiled courtyard of the temple, amidst the sound of bells and Buddha statues, each lesson is a moment of communion between the physical and the spiritual. Sometimes, the children pause to listen to the chanting; other times, they sit cross-legged in tranquil meditation.

The architecture of Khanh Long Pagoda is built in harmony with nature, bearing the strong imprint of Buddhist art. Here, martial arts and Buddhist teachings are inseparable. One trains the body, the other trains the mind; both contribute to nurturing the individual. The summer martial arts class at Khanh Long Pagoda quietly fulfills this mission, without ostentation or extravagance, but silently and quietly sowing seeds of goodness.

Summer days in the countryside usually pass by amidst scorching sun and the buzzing of cicadas. But at Khanh Long Pagoda, that summer is illuminated by resolute shouts, eyes shining with determination, and sweat steeped in love. As the small footsteps leave the pagoda grounds each afternoon, silence returns, but the echoes of those special days still resonate in each stone step. A summer silently sowing the seeds of love, discipline, and a resilient spirit that grows stronger every day.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202507/chon-thien-mon-uom-mam-vo-dao-fed26bc/