An Lac Pagoda - a unique historical site in Tu Ky.

An Lac Pagoda, located at the end of Dong village, Binh Lang commune, Tu Ky district, is still commonly known by locals as Mountain Pagoda.

The Three Jewels of the temple

Although situated in a plain, the temple occupies a very unique location, nestled against an earthen hill and overlooking a winding river that the villagers call the Golden River. This is a rare temple, isolated from the residential area.

Currently, no one knows exactly when the temple was built. Recently, during an excavation, the temple discovered a red terracotta artifact in the shape of a dragon's head, which, according to researcher Tang Ba Hoanh, dates back to the late Tran Dynasty. At the end of the Mac Dynasty, in 1588, the temple commissioned the casting of a "hong chung" (large bell). The temple has undergone several renovations, the most significant being in 1727 and 1866. In 1727, a monk from Dong village, Zen Master Tinh An, the abbot of Con Son Temple, along with the instructor Nguyen Ta Dong, renovated and altered the main hall, incense burning area, front hall, bell tower, brick walls, and foundation. In 1866, during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc, the village elders, officials, and Zen monks renovated the place of worship.

The An Lac Temple bell inscription is the oldest surviving stone stele in Tu Ky district.

The temple was originally located on the mountain, but during the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng, it was moved down to its current location. Nguyễn Năng Tấu's book, "Tứ Kỳ Địa Dư Phong Vật Chí," records: "In Đông village, Bình Lãng commune, there is a large, high earthen mountain, covered with lush, verdant trees. A small stream flows around it in front. On the mountaintop stands a small temple; during the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng, the local people moved it down the mountain."

An Lac Pagoda is designed in the shape of the Chinese character "丁" (ding), consisting of five front halls and three rear halls. The interior is magnificently decorated. The system of massive and majestic Buddha statues is arranged from top to bottom. Despite enduring many historical upheavals, the system of Buddha statues at the pagoda remains relatively intact.

A carving of plum blossoms, a scroll with the poem "Offering Incense".

Furthermore, a unique feature of An Lac Pagoda is the two meticulously carved floral and scroll panels on either side, each bearing a verse by King Tran Thai Tong, a rarity among ancient pagodas. One panel features chrysanthemums and a scroll with the verse "Offering Flowers," while the other features plum blossoms and a scroll with the verse "Offering Incense."

The air is thick with the scent of agarwood and the fragrant forest of meditation.
Sandalwood trees, gardens of wisdom, have been cultivated;
The knife of compassion is sharpened into the shape of a deep mountain.
May the hearth burn brightly with offerings forever.
(Offering incense)

An Lac Pagoda is also an ancient temple that still preserves quite a number of stone steles. Currently, the pagoda has 6 stone steles, including 5 in Chinese characters and one in Vietnamese script, dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Among these, the most valuable is the ancient stele from the Mac Dynasty: "An Lac Pagoda Hong Chung Bi Ky," erected in 1588, when the Mac Dynasty was on the verge of collapse. Currently, this is the oldest surviving stone stele in Tu Ky district. The characters and patterns carved on the stele are still very clear, containing much research value regarding stele inscriptions from the Mac Dynasty.

NGUYEN DINH SON

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