The unique belief in worshipping Lady Then

BAC NINH - Among the cultural heritage and assets of Bac Ninh, the Ba Chua Then Temple in Kep commune is a must-mention. This site is not only a "living museum" showcasing unique architectural and artistic values, but also a repository of many intangible cultural heritage values ​​of the Kinh, Tay, and Nung ethnic groups in this ancient forest region.

Although it was a newly restored architectural structure in 2018, the Ba Chua Then Temple preserves many unique ancient architectural features, clearly showing a blend of Le Dynasty (17th-18th centuries) and Nguyen Dynasty (19th century) architecture.

The gate of the Ba Chua Then temple.

According to folklore, Chúa Then is a female deity named Bà Then Tiên Vương Thị Chân Nhân. The worship of Chúa Then is an indigenous belief in worshipping deities of the mountains and forests. For the ethnic minorities here, worshipping Chúa Then is similar to worshipping the deities of the mountains and forests. Then practices the profession of bringing blessings and saving people; many clans worship her as Then Tổ, while Bà Chúa Then is worshipped in temples.

Legend has it that during the Le Dynasty, King Le Loi led an uprising against the Ming invaders. While passing through this area, he received divine assistance, leading to victory in the Battle of Chi Lang - Xuong Giang. During a celebratory feast, remembering the merits of the deities, the king bestowed titles and erected a temple to worship them. The Temple of Lady Then is also the first place to jointly worship Lady Then and Lady of the Mountain at the edge of the forest.

For a long time, the Ba Chua Then Temple has been a center of cultural and religious activities, where many rituals and customs associated with the village have taken place from ancient times to the present day. Among them, the most prominent is the traditional festival of the Ba Chua Then Temple - the Forest Opening Ceremony. On the night of the 10th day of the first lunar month, villagers gather at the temple, lighting torches to carry the royal throne, ancestral tablets, and the palanquin of the Holy Lady Then to Co Ngua Temple (Viet Huong village) for a communal offering. Afterwards, they carry them back from Co Ngua Temple to the Ba Chua Then Temple to perform the Forest Opening Ceremony.

In addition, there is a celebration of the birthday of Lady Then, held on the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month. The most important ritual on this day is the Then worship ceremony and the offering of prayers and performances in honor of the deity at the temple. Although not a large-scale festival, it still brings together a large number of local people, descendants of the Then family, and Then masters from the region.

The communal feast for the troops is also an important ceremony, carrying many spiritual meanings and historical values. It is an occasion to commemorate the deities who secretly assisted the Lam Son rebels in defeating the Ming invaders and bringing peace to the country. The communal feast for the troops takes place from the 19th to the 25th of September in the lunar calendar each year, concluding at the Ba Chua Then Temple.

Dong Ngoc Duong ( Bac Ninh Museum No. 1)

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/doc-dao-tin-nguong-tho-ba-chua-then-postid441100.bbg