Keeping the Vietnamese martial arts spirit in the Zen gate

Martial arts class at Hang Pagoda, Linh Son ward.

Along with the sound of temple bells and chanting wooden fish, many temples in Thai Nguyen also resound with the strong shouts from martial arts training sessions. Each martial art move is not only a manifestation of muscle strength, but also a harmony between internal and mental strength, between “the body moves but the mind is at peace”.

In the yard of Hang Pagoda, Linh Son Ward, under the shade of ancient trees, dozens of children are enthusiastically practicing traditional martial arts moves and techniques. They are students of the Kim Son Tu Traditional Martial Arts Club, initiated in 2019 by martial arts master Phan Van Khoi, Club Director.

Sharing the reason for choosing the temple space as a place to practice, martial arts master Phan Van Khoi calmly said: The temple is a spiritual, quiet and solemn place. Practicing martial arts here is not only physical training, but also a harmonious combination of body - mind - spirit, very good for children when they get acquainted with traditional martial arts.

Not only Hang Pagoda, at Cam Gia village pagoda, a traditional martial arts class under the pagoda roof has also been opened since 2021. Although it has only been held in recent years, the martial arts class has attracted more than 30 children in the village to participate.

Nguyen Minh Anh from Gia Sang ward is rarely absent from martial arts training sessions. Minh Anh said: going to the pagoda not only helps me improve my health and learn self-defense, but also helps me discover traditional cultural values through each martial art lesson. For me, each class is an opportunity to learn valuable qualities in life such as perseverance and team spirit.

Alongside the temple bells, there were strong shouts.

Alongside the temple bells rang out loud shouts.

These simple sharings are the clearest evidence of the humanistic values that traditional martial arts bring: training people before practicing martial arts. On weekend afternoons, the yard of Khanh Long pagoda, Tan Khanh commune, is bustling with the shouts of young martial artists.

Under the ancient temple roof, the small arms swing strongly, each step is decisive but still maintains flexibility and rhythm. The traditional martial arts class here was opened in 2022 by volunteer martial arts masters in the commune. What is special is that most of the students come from rural families, which do not have the conditions to participate in professional sports clubs.

Therefore, the temple yard becomes an ideal training space that is both close and familiar. Parents can rest assured to leave their children, the temple is always open, and the martial arts masters are dedicated to teaching. In each lesson, there is not only sweat and laughter but also respect, the spirit of learning and the close relationship between teacher and student.

Venerable Thich Chuc Tiep, Member of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Deputy Head of the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha of Thai Nguyen province, Abbot of Khanh Long pagoda, always encourages venerable monks and nuns to accompany and create conditions to help martial arts masters open martial arts classes.

This is the support of location, the guidance of morality, directing the mind of martial artists, especially children, to the good and the right in life. Amidst the light incense scent, each punch is soft but decisive, each movement is supple but contains inner strength, creating a simple yet sacred picture.

Traditional Vietnamese martial arts are not ostentatious or noisy, but quietly live and flourish in the silence of Zen, among people who carry within them love for their homeland, national pride and kindness.

In a place where there seems to be only the sound of Buddhist chants, the breath of martial arts echoes. In that peaceful place, the Vietnamese martial arts soul is preserved and spread like a small, warm flame in the midst of everyday life.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202510/giu-hon-vo-viet-noi-cua-thien-ffc405f/