Keeping the Vietnamese martial arts spirit in the Zen gate

Traditional martial arts is not only a sport to improve health but also the quintessence of national culture, carrying the character, spirit and morality of the Vietnamese people. In Thai Nguyen, there is a special place that is preserving and promoting these values, which are the pagodas.

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, rarely misses martial arts training sessions. Minh Anh says: "At the temple, I not only improve my health and learn self-defense, but I also get to discover traditional cultural values ​​through each martial art. For me, each lesson is an opportunity to acquire valuable life qualities such as perseverance and teamwork."

Alongside the ringing of the temple bells, there were 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.

Beneath the ancient temple roof, small arms swing powerfully, each step decisive yet maintaining grace and rhythm. The traditional martial arts class here has been running since 2022, led by volunteer martial arts masters from the commune. What's special is that most of the students come from rural families, who have limited opportunities to participate in professional sports clubs.

Therefore, the temple grounds became an ideal training space, both familiar and welcoming. Parents could confidently send their children there, the temple always kept its doors open, and the martial arts masters devoted themselves to teaching. In each lesson, there was not only sweat and laughter, but also reverence, a spirit of learning, and a close bond 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 about providing a suitable location, offering moral guidance, and directing the hearts of martial arts students, especially children, towards goodness and righteousness in life. Amidst the gentle scent of incense, each movement is soft yet decisive, each supple yet powerful, creating a simple yet sacred scene.

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/