Remains of Tran Dynasty pagoda of Truc Lam Zen sect

Hai Duong Archaeologists have excavated and discovered traces of the ancient Thanh Mai pagoda from the Tran Dynasty, which has existed for 700 years and is closely related to the Truc Lam Zen sect.

Thanh Mai Pagoda is located on the slope of Tam Ban Mountain, in Hoang Hoa Tham Commune, Chi Linh City. Through surveys, the Vietnam Archaeological Association and the Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Management Board discovered three relic sites located above the pagoda, facing the top of Yen Tu mountain range. Since 2021, the Archaeological Association and Hai Duong province have excavated the Thanh Mai 2 area, about 100 meters from the current Thanh Mai Pagoda.

According to the announcement in early May, the archaeological team discovered many layers of relics and artifacts from many historical periods, spanning 700 years. Among them, there is an architectural layer built entirely of stone, identified as dating from the Tran Dynasty (14th century). In addition, 113 construction materials such as stone, brick, tile (double lotus, single lotus, flat nose, leaf nose) and 98 household items such as ceramics and pottery from the Tran Dynasty were also found.

From this result, the excavation team concluded that the ancient Thanh Mai pagoda was built during the Tran Dynasty (before 1329), solidly restored during the Le Trung Hung Dynasty and existed until the Nguyen Dynasty.

Overall plan of Thanh Mai 2 excavation site. Photo: Hai Duong Department of Culture , Sports and Tourism

The archaeological team assessed that the original Tran Dynasty architecture in Thanh Mai 2 area corresponds to the records in ancient documents and books about Zen master Phap Loa (second patriarch of Truc Lam Zen sect) practicing and developing Thanh Mai pagoda and Zen master Huyen Quang (third patriarch of Truc Lam Zen sect) residing at the pagoda in 1330.

The discovery confirms the formation of a new pilgrimage route of Truc Lam Buddhism from Thanh Mai Pagoda leading to Yen Tu peak. This is an important document to complete the dossier to propose UNESCO to classify the Yen Tu relic and landscape complex as a world cultural heritage.

Previously, in January 2021, the Government assigned Quang Ninh province to preside over and coordinate with Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces and relevant agencies to develop a dossier on the Yen Tu relic and landscape complex to submit to UNESCO for consideration and inclusion in the list of world heritage sites. The scope of research and development of the dossier includes the following relic and landscape sites: Yen Tu, Dong Trieu, Bach Dang (Quang Ninh); Con Son - Kiep Bac - Thanh Mai pagoda, An Phu - Kinh Chu - Nham Duong (Hai Duong) and Tay Yen Tu (Bac Giang).

Le Thanh Tan

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