The spring sunshine brushes against the road surface, against the clusters of lush leaves, making the path back to the mountain brighter and more radiant. Every year, I usually set aside a day to return to Con Son, immersing myself in the pure, peaceful atmosphere of this sacred mountain. When I was a student, my friends and I pedaled up here three or four times a year. And each time, the first thing I liked was going out together, the second thing I liked was wading down to the stream to splash in the water, burying my head under the roaring waterfall, cool and refreshing, laughing and joking freely. The stream water back then was clearer and cleaner than it is now. On the day of high tide, amidst the deep green of the sky, trees, and leaves, the waterfall appeared white and incredibly beautiful.
Now it is different, the landscape is also different, the stream flows, the water murmurs, not rushing like before. As I age, I also perceive beauty from a different perspective. I only go to Con Son during Tet holiday, to reach the peak of spring, to calm my heart. Con Son is now planned, renovated, the roads are convenient, less wild. Welcoming my footsteps is a long concrete road, leading to the temple gate. Around Tet, the incense smoke becomes more hazy and billowy. It is difficult to find a day without people. Pots of trees laden with fruit, hanging in front of the yard, are both strange and bring a feeling of fullness. Peach blossoms bloom, bustling with Tet colors. Each cluster of flowers is gentle, sparkling, attracting visitors to come and take pictures. But the flower I like most around the grounds of Con Son pagoda is still the colorful hibiscus. The mysterious, ghostly color is like the face, the gaze of a beauty appearing in the mortal world. After lighting the incense, I often choose a small corner to sit and admire the hibiscus flowers more carefully. That moment gives me the feeling of being absorbed in the beauty and my chest expands, truly relaxed.
For me, coming to the yard of Con Son pagoda, under the canopy of ancient trees, when enjoying the temple scenery, I have only touched the door of spring, and the peak of spring must be the sunshine, the wind, the white clouds shining, vast on the top of Ban Co Tien. And to reach that peak, my feet must overcome many steps of the bumpy mountain road, exhausting my strength. There are two roads to Ban Co Tien, you can start from behind Quan The Am Tower or you can follow the road from Tran Nguyen Dan temple with the same length. While climbing the mountain, listen to the laughter of the people passing by for more motivation. There are young people who are enthusiastic and open to encourage: "We are almost there, try harder, sister. It's wonderful up there!". Actually, I have conquered Ban Co Tien many times, so it is not surprising. Each time I repeat the journey, it is like I want to measure my own strength and will. Many people come to Con Son, trying to climb to the top of Ban Co Tien. There are many people who, after a strenuous journey, put their heart and soul into reaching the top and exclaim: “Wow, there’s nothing up here that’s worth all the effort and effort!”. Actually, whether there is anything or not depends on the eyes and feelings in each person’s heart. As for me, standing on the top of the majestic mountain, the green color covers everything, opening up a sacred space, the sacred energy converges… making me find the spring of my heart every time I come back here, reaching the top.
I stood there, eyes open or closed, and saw the doors open. Somewhere I heard the sound of a babbling brook, the sound of birds echoing, the grass and trees moving, rustling, and faintly recalling the shadow of a poet from a thousand years ago… For a moment, I was like a light cloud, slowly drifting in the full fragrance and color of spring.
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