Preserving the spirit of Vietnamese martial arts within the Buddhist temple.

Traditional martial arts are not only a sport for physical fitness but also the essence of national culture, embodying the character, spirit, and morality of the Vietnamese people. In Thai Nguyen, there is a special place that preserves and promotes these values: the temples.

Martial arts class at Hang Pagoda, Linh Son Ward.

Along with the sound of temple bells and chanting drums, many temples in Thai Nguyen also resonate with the powerful shouts from martial arts training sessions. Each martial arts move is not only an expression of muscular strength, but also a harmony between inner and mental power, between "physical movement and mental tranquility."

Within the grounds of Hang Pagoda in Linh Son ward, under the shade of ancient trees, dozens of children are enthusiastically practicing the movements and techniques of traditional martial arts. These are students of the Kim Son Tu Traditional Martial Arts Club, initiated in 2019 by martial arts master Phan Van Khoi, the club's chairman.

Sharing his reasons for choosing the temple as a training ground, martial arts master Phan Van Khoi calmly stated: "The temple is a spiritual place, quiet and solemn. Training here is not only about physical training, but also about the harmonious combination of body, mind, and spirit, which is very good for children when getting acquainted with traditional martial arts."

Not only at Hang Pagoda, but also at Cam Gia village pagoda, a traditional martial arts class has been held since 2021. Although it has only been organized for a few years, the class has attracted more than 30 children from 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 acts of sharing are the clearest evidence of the humanistic value that traditional martial arts bring: training the person before training the martial artist. On weekend afternoons, the courtyard of Khanh Long Pagoda in Tan Khanh commune resounds with the shouts of young martial arts students.

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, a member of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Buddhist Association, and Abbot of Khanh Long Pagoda, always encourages venerable monks and nuns to cooperate 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; they quietly thrive and flourish amidst the tranquility of monastic life, among people who carry within them love for their homeland, national pride, and a benevolent spirit.

In a place where the sounds of chanting seem to be the only sounds, the rhythm of martial arts resonates; in that peaceful haven, the spirit of Vietnamese martial arts is preserved and spread like a small, warm flame amidst everyday life.

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