Spreading the global value of Yen Tu National Special Scenic Relic Site

In the spiritual bloodline of Vietnam, Yen Tu is considered the "fourth blessed land of Giao Chau", the capital of Vietnamese Buddhism, the origin of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. In particular, Yen Tu has become the place to welcome and enshrine the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni - the sacred national treasure of India. This event is of great significance, marking a historical milestone, when the nomination dossier of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex will be protected at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in France this coming July.

The event of welcoming and enshrining the Buddha's relics has extremely important significance, marking a historical milestone.

Yen Tu has long been considered the spiritual source of many generations of Vietnamese people. Our people still circulate the folk song: "A hundred years of accumulating virtue and practicing, if you have not been to Yen Tu, you have not achieved the results of your practice". The famous Yen Tu mountain is associated with the name and extraordinary career of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong. After leading the army and people of Dai Viet to victory in the resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol invaders twice (in 1285 and 1288), he passed the throne to his son, leaving the red towers and jade palaces to return to this deserted place to practice and attain Buddhahood. He founded and became the first patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen sect - a Zen sect with strong Vietnamese identity, with the desire to build a happy, united and benevolent nation.

It can be seen that the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex (Quang Ninh, Bac Giang , Hai Duong) is the place where the center of pure Vietnamese Zen Buddhism was formed, born and developed, directly created by Vietnamese people. In which, the system of pagodas, hermitages, towers, steles, and statues in the Yen Tu relic and scenic complex are precious historical and material documents, closely associated with the name and career of Dieu Ngu Giac Hoang Tran Nhan Tong and generations of Zen masters.

The event is a strong stepping stone for Vietnam to consolidate documents and successfully defend the nomination dossier for the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex to become a World Heritage Site.

The cultural values ​​of Truc Lam Buddhism have been inherited by many successive generations, increasingly developed, and spread to many regions in the country and many other countries in the world until today.

Currently, the Complex of Monuments and Landscapes of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac is facing the opportunity to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, which is an honor and pride not only for the three provinces of Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong , but also the pride of Vietnam. That not only contributes to affirming the eternal values ​​of Yen Tu in the history of the nation, but also expands to a wider scope, a heritage story of all mankind.

Buddhists and people respectfully worship Buddha's relics.

From May 25-28, the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni - the sacred national treasure of India were enshrined at Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace (Uong Bi City). Thereby, a connection was created between Indian Buddhism and Vietnamese Buddhism, between Buddha Shakyamuni and King Tran Nhan Tong. Buddha left behind a great spirit of an enlightened being with compassion and wisdom. And King Tran Nhan Tong made the Vietnamese people accept Buddhism in a special way. He adapted the thoughts and spirit of Buddha according to Vietnamese customs, practices, rituals, culture... to become a religion imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity.

Venerable Bhante Pelwatte Seewalee Thero, General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society (the unit that preserves the Buddha's relics) commented: Both Buddha Shakyamuni and King Tran Nhan Tong had great compassion, great mercy, great joy, great renunciation, and selflessness. Both of them had great humanitarian hearts, and for the benefit of the people and the nation, they left home to become monks and practice religion. Therefore, humanity respects, worships, and honors them. The activity of enshrining the Buddha's relics at Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace is an extremely meaningful activity, guiding people to goodness, living a full life according to religion, and praying for peace for humanity.

Buddhists and people do not mind the long distance to visit Buddha's relics.

The relics of Buddha Sakyamuni enshrined at Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace are not only a great spiritual event, bringing spiritual faith, spreading the message of compassion and peace to everyone, but also an opportunity for cultural exchange, affirming the strong friendship between the two countries of Vietnam and India. Because for thousands of years, only 4 countries have been fortunate enough to receive the relics of Buddha for enshrining and Vietnam is the 4th country. It is expected that the event will attract about 1 million Buddhists, people and tourists to worship the relics of Buddha. Thereby, it shows that the belief of the majority of people in Buddhism is very strong and broad. The worship of Buddha relics is not only a sacred ritual, but also a profound opportunity to connect people with truth and sincerity.

The event will be a strong stepping stone for Vietnam to consolidate documents and successfully defend the nomination dossier for the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in France in July. Venerable Thich Dao Hien, Deputy Head and Chief Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee in Quang Ninh province, affirmed: The enshrinement of Buddha's relics here helps monks, nuns, Buddhists, and people understand the special values ​​of Truc Lam Yen Tu Buddhism, which has many similarities with world Buddhism, and is a motivation for monks, nuns, Buddhists, and people to follow the example, study, and practice the teachings of the Buddha and the Buddha King. From there, build a good life, a peaceful world, and a prosperous country. At the same time, spread the image of Yen Tu as a sacred spiritual place with multifaceted values, to add weight to the nomination dossier for World Heritage.

As the cradle of Truc Lam Zen - a Zen sect imbued with the spirit of worldly engagement and national wisdom, Yen Tu is "standing on the threshold" of becoming a World Heritage Site and Quang Ninh will have the opportunity to own a second world heritage site in the form of cultural heritage in the future. Important events such as the Buddha's relic procession contribute to spreading the cultural and spiritual values ​​of Buddhism, while promoting Yen Tu as a leading cultural and spiritual tourism center in the region. This is also a vivid testament to the everlasting vitality of a heritage and to the journey of integrating Vietnamese culture and spirituality with the world.

Hoang Quynh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/lan-toa-gia-tri-toan-cau-cua-khu-di-tich-danh-thang-quoc-gia-dac-biet-yen-tu-3359860.html