The Yen Tu scenic landscape marks the place where King Tran Nhan Tong attained Buddhahood and established the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Sect, a Zen tradition steeped in Vietnamese cultural identity!
Yen Tu Scenic Landscape – Sacred land, birthplace of the Truc Lam Zen Sect
Cultural and historical values of the Yen Tu scenic landscape
Yen Tu scenic landscape viewed from above. Photo: Vietnam News Agency.
The Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes. Photo: daidoanket.
The Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Sect was founded on the basis of absorbing and inheriting the essence of Indian and Chinese Buddhism; a Zen tradition with the nation's distinct identity. The sect believes that: Buddha is right in one's mind, not somewhere far away, and does not promise another life. The Buddha is merely a guiding teacher, not a deity.
Statue of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong. Photo: Bao Quoc Te.
If the mind is calm, clear, and lets go of greed, anger, and delusion… to live purely, wisdom will be illuminated, insight will arise, ignorance will be wiped away, all suffering will cease, and one will naturally attain enlightenment. With that perspective, the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Sect takes humanity as the foundation. The Truc Lam Zen Sect therefore served as the ideological and moral foundation of the Tran Dynasty's golden age.
Sunset over Yen Tu. Photo: Yen Tu Mountain.
When the Truc Lam Zen Sect was at its peak, the Yen Tu scenic landscape included a vast region with typical architectural works: Long Dong, Hoa Yen, Van Tieu (Uong Bi), Quynh Lam, Ho Thien, Ngoa Van (Dong Trieu), Thanh Mai, Con Son (Chi Linh, Hai Duong), and other structures in the western Yen Tu mountainous area.
Photo: @nini.nguyet.
The relics that exist in Yen Tu today include hundreds of stupas enshrining sarira relics; dozens of foundations of pagodas and hermitages; thousands of ancient artifacts: statues, bells, stone steles, roof tiles, bricks, porcelain, earthenware…
A verdant mountain region of Yen Tu. Photo: Yen Tu Mountain.
During the two resistance wars to reclaim independence from imperialists and colonialists, the Yen Tu scenic landscape was a revolutionary base, a place where our troops trained, and also a watchpost guarding the skies of Vietnam.
Centuries-old yellow apricot trees. Photo: Nguyen Hung.
Spiritual value of the scenic landscape
Legend has it that more than 2,000 years ago, Yen Ky Sinh came to this mountain to practice Taoism, gather herbs, refine the elixir of immortality, and heal people; upon passing away, he turned into a stone statue, and the name "Master Yen" became "Yen Tu".
Stupa enshrining the relics of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong. Photo: Yen Tu Mountain.
Afterwards, this became the place of practice for virtuous heroes, from Patriarch Hien Quang in the Ly Dynasty to Patriarchs Dao Vien, Dai Dang, Tieu Dieu, Hue Tue, and the Three Truc Lam Patriarchs… during the Tran Dynasty, and from Patriarch Chan Nguyen during the Le Dynasty to Nun Dam Thai in the Nguyen Dynasty (early 20th century).
Pilgrims visiting Yen Tu. Photo: yentutunglam.
Emperor-Monk Tran Nhan Tong (Dieu Ngu Giac Hoang, 1258 – 1308) ascended the throne at the age of 20. After rallying forces to defeat the Mongol invaders, he successfully fostered national reconciliation and built a prosperous Dai Viet.
Photo: eunhui.jeong.
Abdicating the throne at the age of 35, he retreated to Vu Lam Palace and then ascended Yen Tu to practice asceticism. From a monarch, he attained the revered status of Buddhism. He passed away at Ngoa Van Hermitage on the Yen Tu mountain range, and Hue Quang Stupa enshrines his relics.
Ancient frangipani tree in front of Hoa Yen Pagoda, Yen Tu. Photo: danviet.
The natural value of Yen Tu
Visiting the Yen Tu scenic landscape, you will arrive at the mountains and forests of northeastern Vietnam. This region features rolling mountains and forests, with mountain ranges all paying homage to Mount Yen Tu, as picturesque as an ink-wash painting.
Photo: Yen Tu Mountain.
Today, the mountain peak still preserves tectonic traces of the Earth's crust from 10 million years ago, and inside the mountain lies a vast coal reserve. The natural forest still preserves rich animal and plant genetic resources.
Yen Tu bamboo forest. Photo: Lang nuong Yen Tu.
Among the 206 animal species here, more than 20 rare species are listed in the Red Data Book: flying squirrels, ang frogs, crocodile lizards, spiny frogs, snub-nosed langurs… Among the 830 plant species, there are 38 rare and endemic species such as: tau mat, lat hoa, wild podocarpus, green ironwood, vu huong, kim giao, bamboo pine…
Cable car to Dong Pagoda. Photo: Lang nuong Yen Tu.
Not only that, this place also features rows of pine trees, fruit orchards over seven hundred years old, vast bamboo forests, stretches of yellow apricot blossoms, and blooming clusters of chrysanthemums, making the scenic landscape even more marvelous in the eyes of travelers.
Biodiverse Yen Tu forest. Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
Photo: Nguyen Hung.
The Yen Tu scenic landscape has long been a sacred Buddhist sanctuary, a favorite pilgrimage destination for devout Buddhists and lovers of magnificent nature. Follow the iVIVU blog to receive more useful articles!
