Reaching the Spring Peak

A young couple tries their hand at a game of chess right on the "Immortal's Chessboard" atop Con Son mountain. Photo: Tien Huy

The spring sunshine caresses the road and the lush green leaves, making the path leading to the mountains brighter and more radiant. Every year, I usually dedicate an afternoon to returning to Con Son, immersing myself in the serene and peaceful atmosphere of this sacred mountain place. When I was a student, my friends and I would cycle up here three or four times a year. And each time, the first thing I enjoyed was going out together, and the second was wading in the stream, splashing under the roaring waterfall, feeling refreshed and laughing to our hearts' content. The stream water back then was clearer and cleaner than it is now. On days when the water level is high, amidst the deep blue of the land, sky, trees, and leaves, the waterfall appears a dazzling white, absolutely beautiful.

Things are different now; the landscape is different too. During the spring season, the water flows gently, not rushing like before. As I get older, I perceive beauty from a different perspective. I only go to Con Son during the Tet holiday, to reach the peak in spring, to quiet my mind. Con Son is now planned and renovated, with convenient roads and less of a wild, untamed place. A long concrete road leads to the temple gate, welcoming my footsteps. Around Tet, the incense smoke is even more hazy and thick. It's hard to find a day without people. Pots laden with fruit are displayed in the courtyard, both eye-catching and giving a feeling of abundance. Peach blossoms bloom profusely, displaying the vibrant colors of Tet. Each cluster of flowers is delicate and sparkling, attracting passersby to take pictures. But the flowers I like best around the grounds of Con Son Temple are the hibiscus blossoms. Their enchanting, mysterious color is like the face and gaze of a beautiful woman appearing in this mortal world. After lighting the incense, I usually choose a quiet corner to sit and admire the hibiscus flowers more closely. That moment gives me a feeling of being captivated by their beauty, and my chest expands, feeling truly relaxed.

For me, arriving at Con Son Pagoda, under the ancient trees, and admiring the scenery, is only touching the gateway to spring. The true peak of spring must be the sunshine, the wind, and the vast, shimmering white clouds atop Ban Co Tien (Chessboard of the Immortals). And to reach that peak, my feet had to climb countless steps of the rugged mountain path, a strenuous effort. There are two paths to Ban Co Tien: one starting from behind the Quan The Am Pavilion, or the other following the path from the Tran Nguyen Dan temple, both of similar length. As I climbed, I listened to the laughter and chatter of the people passing by, which gave me extra motivation. Some young people enthusiastically encouraged me: "You're almost there, keep going! It's amazing up there!" Actually, I've conquered Ban Co Tien many times, so it wasn't surprising. Each time I repeated the journey, it was like testing my own strength and willpower. Many people come to Con Son and try to climb Ban Co Tien. Many people, after the arduous journey to the summit, exclaim, "Oh well, there's nothing up here, why bother all that effort!" In reality, whether there's anything or not depends on each person's perspective and feelings. As for myself, standing on the majestic mountain peak, enveloped in a verdant expanse, opening up a sacred space, a convergence of spiritual energy… makes me find the spring within myself every time I return and climb to the summit.

I stood there motionless, my eyes open or closed, and I saw the doors opening. Somewhere I heard the babbling of a stream, the chirping of birds, the rustling of grass and trees, and the lingering presence of poets from a thousand years ago… For a fleeting moment, I felt like a light cloud, drifting slowly in the fragrant beauty of spring.

TRAN NGOC MY

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