Long Phuoc Ancient Pagoda: A place to preserve the quintessence of Vietnamese martial arts

Amidst the green rice fields of Tuy Phuoc commune (Gia Lai), the ancient Long Phuoc pagoda appears peacefully, both an ancient place of practice and a source of preserving the quintessence of traditional Tay Son - Binh Dinh martial arts.

Hundred-year-old temple in the middle of green fields

About 15 km from the coastal city of Quy Nhon, the ancient Long Phuoc pagoda lies peacefully amidst the green rice fields in Tan Thuan village, Tuy Phuoc commune (formerly Tuy Phuoc district, Binh Dinh province). The open space, surrounded by immense fields, fragrant with the smell of rice makes anyone who comes here feel calm. The pagoda grounds are in harmony with green trees, ancient architectural works and colorful flower bushes, both simple and solemn.

Long Phuoc ancient pagoda is located in the middle of rice fields, creating a peaceful scene.

PHOTO: DUC NHAT

According to the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha of Gia Lai Province, Long Phuoc Pagoda was built in 1802. Over the past 220 years, the pagoda has been renovated many times but still retains its rustic and pure features. Around the pagoda, many majestic Buddha statues are skillfully arranged, creating a space that is both quiet and close to the lives of local people.

The pagoda is divided into many areas. The main hall, the bell and drum tower, the ancestral hall to worship the abbots and monks who have passed away, two rows of houses on the east and west sides for monks' activities, the 9-storey multi-treasure tower and especially the martial arts hall located under the canopy of an ancient tree, where the long-standing martial arts tradition is preserved.

The source of traditional Vietnamese martial arts

What makes Long Phuoc ancient pagoda famous is its long-standing martial arts tradition. Since ancient times, monks have practiced martial arts to improve their health and preserve traditional martial arts. In 1986, the pagoda established the Traditional Martial Arts Club, opening free martial arts classes for local people.

Over the past 220 years, Long Phuoc Pagoda has been restored many times but still retains its inherent simplicity and rusticity.

PHOTO: DUC NHAT

Master Nguyen Thanh Vien, coach of the Long Phuoc Pagoda Traditional Martial Arts Club, said: "Currently, the pagoda's Traditional Martial Arts Club has 5 masters and is teaching about 30 students. In addition to esoteric martial arts, we also preserve and teach how to use 18 weapons. Free teaching not only spreads passion but also selects promising seeds for the provincial competition team."

Over the years, Long Phuoc Pagoda's martial arts school has produced hundreds of martial arts masters, many of whom have become famous names in the martial arts world, such as Nguyen Duc Thang with the U linh thuong technique, Nguyen Van Canh with the Tru hon kiem technique, Vo Van Tinh with the Chan loi am tien technique, Tran Duy Linh with the Loi long dao technique... In addition, many other martial arts masters who studied martial arts at the pagoda have opened their own martial arts schools and continued the mission of spreading the passion for traditional martial arts to young people.

Long Phuoc Pagoda Traditional Martial Arts Club opens many free martial arts classes for local people

PHOTO: DUC NHAT

In his youth, martial arts master Tran Duy Linh (Director of Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Center, now in Gia Lai province) won a series of gold medals in tournaments, contributing to bringing the beauty of Vietnamese traditional martial arts, especially Tay Son - Binh Dinh traditional martial arts, closer to the public at home and abroad.

With his prestige and experience, he was assigned the responsibility of training and performing with hundreds of athletes and actors in the International Festival of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts held in Binh Dinh (old). Not stopping there, he also participated in staging and practicing martial arts performances for major events such as the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory celebration at Quang Trung Museum, as well as many other Binh Dinh traditional martial arts programs.

Long Phuoc Pagoda still preserves and teaches how to use 18 weapons.

PHOTO: DUC NHAT

Master Nguyen Van Canh, currently working at the Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Center, also plays an important role in promoting Vietnamese traditional martial arts internationally. Every year, in the summer, he is often invited to France and Switzerland to provide professional guidance to martial arts masters, coaches and students of the Son Long Quyen Thuat sect, helping to spread the quintessence of Vietnamese martial arts to international friends.

Through martial arts classes, Long Phuoc Pagoda Traditional Martial Arts Club has selected many potential martial arts students for Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Center.

PHOTO: DUC NHAT

According to martial arts master Tran Duy Linh, Long Phuoc Pagoda is one of the cradles that trained many martial artists and martial arts masters, many of whom later became coaches and participated in training at the Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Center.

"Long Phuoc Pagoda is also the place that provides key athletes for the provincial traditional martial arts team. These martial artists have contributed many achievements to local martial arts. It can be affirmed that the Long Phuoc Pagoda Martial Arts Club is one of the most important and typical martial arts circuits of the province," martial arts master Tran Duy Linh emphasized. ( continued )

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chua-co-long-phuoc-noi-luu-giu-tinh-hoa-vo-hoc-viet-nam-18525102422152516.htm