New tour in Hai Phong follows the footsteps of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam

Ancient pagodas such as Thanh Mai, Con Son, and Sung Nghiem are not only spiritual places, but also bear the golden mark of the Truc Lam Zen sect.

On the slope of Phat Tich mountain, Thanh Mai pagoda appears simply among the maple forest that changes its clothes all year round. Photo: THANH CHUNG

Hai Phong - a land of spiritual and talented people, a convergence of heritages associated with national history. Ancient pagodas such as Thanh Mai, Con Son, and Sung Nghiem are not only spiritual places, but also bear the golden mark of the Truc Lam Zen sect.

The Three Patriarchs' Imprint

On the slope of Phat Tich mountain, Thanh Mai pagoda appears simply among the maple forest that changes its clothes all year round. This is the place associated with the Second Patriarch Phap Loa, the direct successor of King Tran Nhan Tong. The Thanh Mai Vien Thong stele erected in 1362 - now a National Treasure - records his life and achievements, proving a prosperous period of Vietnamese Buddhism. The abbot of Thanh Mai pagoda shared that the most important thing when renovating the pagoda is to preserve the ancient spirit and tranquility. According to him, pilgrims coming here not only pay homage to the Third Patriarch but also learn a peaceful lifestyle, close to nature in the spirit of Truc Lam.

Not far away, Con Son Pagoda - the place associated with the career of Tam To Huyen Quang - also preserves many precious values. After his death, his relics were placed in Dang Minh Bao Thap. Today, Con Son Pagoda is also the destination of the Con Son - Kiep Bac spring and autumn festivals, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over. National treasures such as Thanh Hu Dong stele carved in 1372 or Con Son Tu Phuc Tu Bi stele (1607) further affirm the long-standing historical and cultural value of the pagoda. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, a tourist from Hanoi , emotionally shared that when he came to Con Son, he not only saw a beautiful pagoda but also felt like he was reliving the atmosphere of the Tran Dynasty, because here, each stone slab and each ancient pine tree seemed to tell an old story.

Along the Luc Dau Giang River, Sung Nghiem Pagoda was once a bustling Buddhist center under the Ly - Tran Dynasty. Here, national teachers such as Van Hanh and Khong Lo left their mark, and Tran kings, queens, and princesses often came to worship Buddha. Despite many changes, the pagoda is still a place of spiritual gathering. The people here consider preserving the pagoda as preserving the cultural foundation of their homeland.

It can be said that each pagoda in Hai Phong is not only an ancient architectural work but also a piece that creates the "heritage road" Truc Lam. This journey starts from Yen Tu (Quang Ninh), through Thanh Mai - Con Son - Sung Nghiem (Hai Phong), connecting to Vinh Nghiem ( Bac Ninh ). This is a large, unique spiritual and cultural space, demonstrating the wisdom and bravery of Vietnam during the Tran Dynasty.

World Heritage - opportunities and responsibilities

UNESCO's recognition of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex as a World Cultural Heritage Site opens up a "golden opportunity" for Hai Phong. The pagodas here are not only better preserved but also have the conditions to become attractive cultural and spiritual tourist destinations.

According to Mr. Le Duy Manh, Deputy Head of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Management Board, heritage is not only for admiring but also for living in contemporary life. When heritage is preserved and its value is promoted, it will create momentum for tourism development, while spreading the Truc Lam spirit of a harmonious and virtuous lifestyle. UNESCO not only recognizes the material value of the pagodas but also honors the Truc Lam philosophy of life - valuing the harmony between humans and nature.

In an effort to promote heritage values, the city's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has built a typical tourism product, the tour "Following the footsteps of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam", connecting the three pagodas of Sung Nghiem - Thanh Mai - Con Son in one day. The itinerary is scientifically designed, starting in the morning at Sung Nghiem Pagoda - the place associated with the mark of Tran Nhan Tong; followed by Thanh Mai Pagoda - the burial place of the relics of the Second Patriarch Phap Loa and ending in the afternoon at Con Son Pagoda - associated with the career of the Third Patriarch Huyen Quang.

At each stop, visitors can offer incense, listen to explanations, visit the architecture and artifacts, and have the opportunity to participate in cultural experiences such as woodblock printing, herbal tea tasting, making traditional cakes, visiting maple forests or spinning Nine Lotuses, writing calligraphy and taking photos in traditional costumes. The journey is therefore not just a simple sightseeing trip but becomes a lively cultural class, helping visitors immerse themselves in the heritage space and feel the philosophy of Truc Lam in a close way.

Notably, the tour is built according to the historical logic of the Truc Lam Zen sect. The three pagodas represent three ancestors and are located in the heritage space recently recognized by UNESCO. Thanks to that, the journey not only revives the story of the past but also creates a unified "pilgrimage route" that can connect and complement each other. With the combination of spiritual values, cultural experiences, cuisine and traditional arts, the tour opens up a sustainable direction in tourism development. Local people also benefit from participating in tourism services, from culinary processing, handicraft production, selling typical products to guiding and serving tourists.

“We want to bring this new pilgrimage tour to tourists because it is both a pilgrimage to the homeland and an exploration of world cultural heritage, experiencing unique cultural features,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Sinh, representative of the travel agency.

With its goals and meanings, the tour “Following the footsteps of the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam” not only contributes to promoting the value of world heritage, but also affirms Hai Phong’s strategic vision in building a unique cultural and spiritual tourism brand, closely associated with the Vietnamese national identity.

Being recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage is not only a source of pride but also a reminder of the responsibility to preserve it. When every step of pilgrimage is gentle, every heart is kind, the halo of Truc Lam will forever shine, making Hai Phong a leading spiritual and cultural destination in the hearts of tourists from all over the world.

TUAN LINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/tour-du-lich-moi-o-hai-phong-di-theo-dau-chan-tam-to-truc-lam-522963.html