Located in the historically revolutionary land of Bu Dang district, home to a large ethnic minority population, this small temple has been filled with incense, candles, tea, fruit, and other offerings for the past 13 years, on the anniversary of the death of King Hung Vuong. Here, numerous monks, nuns, Buddhists, and people from near and far perform traditional rituals such as commemoration, offering incense, and offering flowers. This allows Buddhists and tourists who are unable to travel to Hung Temple in Phu Tho to also offer incense and express their reverence to the King.
Every year, the Hung Kings Commemoration Ceremony is organized on a large scale by the abbot of Duc Bon A Lan Nha Pagoda, usually taking place over two days, the 9th and 10th of the third lunar month. Both days feature solemn and attractive ceremonial and festive activities. The 9th day includes ceremonial rituals such as: opening the gates to begin the procession of the Saint (also known as the Tien Thuong ceremony), proclaiming the petition, inaugurating the ceremony to invite the Saint, and the people offering incense. In addition, there are several attractive recreational activities for the festival, such as: cultural performances, gong and stone xylophone performances, a bonfire, a night of gratitude, cooking traditional Central Highlands cuisine , and offering incense and prayers for a good harvest. The 10th day includes ceremonial activities: proclaiming the petition praising and thanking the National Ancestors, the sages, and the heroic martyrs; reporting to the ancestors the achievements of the past year's harvest; vowing loyalty and contributing to the nation; offering food and fruit to the sages; and distributing the ancestral blessings to the people.
Mr. Pham Van Kien, residing in Tan Thien ward, Dong Xoai city, Binh Phuoc province, was very surprised to participate in the Hung Kings Commemoration Ceremony at this temple for the first time. He shared: "I have participated in the Hung Kings Commemoration Ceremony at Hung Temple in Phu Tho many times, but this is the first time I've seen such a wonderful atmosphere in Binh Phuoc. Everything is arranged very solemnly and meticulously. Even if one doesn't have the opportunity to go to the ancestral land, this is still a place where people can come to offer incense on the anniversary of the National Ancestor's death."
Meanwhile, Mr. Vu Minh Tuan from Hanoi, during a chance visit to Binh Phuoc, stopped by this temple during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day and was amazed by what was happening there. "I was quite surprised and delighted because I didn't think that Binh Phuoc would have a temple dedicated to the Hung Kings, though small, yet solemn and with so many activities like an attractive festival. I believe that the devotion to our ancestors is the same wherever we are. And the opportunity to offer incense to the Hung Kings in Binh Phuoc today makes me feel comforted and proud. It proves that no matter where we go, Vietnamese culture continues to spread strongly, and I don't see any difference in the spirit of preserving national identity," Mr. Tuan shared.
To achieve the spiritual and religious significance of the Hung Kings' worship space as it is today, along with rich local cultural values, the temple has undergone three renovations since 2012 before being built to its current sturdy state. And every year on the anniversary of the Hung Kings' death, it becomes a destination where people return to offer incense and pay respects to the Hung Kings, while also exploring the unique beauty of the local culture. This year, the Hung Kings' anniversary is celebrated for three consecutive days, giving people from near and far more time to offer incense, pay respects to the ancestors, and visit many places in Bu Dang district.
Contributing to the solemn and respectful atmosphere in honor of the ancestors, a traditional folk ceremonial team of 16 people, led by elderly residents of Thong Nhat commune, Bu Dang district, performs the rituals. Ms. Doan Thi Tat, 70 years old, the team leader, said: "Our ceremonial team has been established for 20 years. Elderly people from the North, who have become professional ceremonial officiants, have come here to guide and teach us. For many years now, every time the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day comes around, our team performs the rituals of offering incense, flowers, tea, and fruit to the ancestral altar. We ourselves feel very proud to be doing this work."
Although far from the ancestral land of Phu Tho, the people of Binh Phuoc still have several places to visit to offer incense and commemorate the Hung Kings, including this temple. As someone who loves Vietnamese culture, Venerable Thich Dong Tan wants to preserve and guide the people to always remember the contributions of their ancestors and the spirit of gratitude to their origins. Therefore, the Venerable created such a solemn place so that the people can satisfy their religious needs towards their ancestors and the Vietnamese land.
Sincere devotion to the National Ancestor makes each Vietnamese citizen more deeply aware of their personal responsibility to their national roots, and strengthens their bond with their homeland. From there, they strive to study and build the country, living up to President Ho Chi Minh's admonition: "The Hung Kings built the nation, and we, their descendants, must together preserve it."
Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/19/171202/mot-long-huong-ve-dat-to
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