Tra Dong temple

22/12/2024
Narration

The Trà Đông Temple is located in Thiệu Trung commune, Thiệu Hóa district, Thanh Hóa province. It is one of the prominent historical and cultural monuments of the region. The temple is dedicated to Đức Thánh Khổng Minh Không (also known as Nguyễn Chí Thành), a renowned physician and monk of the Lý dynasty, who is considered the founding figure of traditional Vietnamese medicine. He is also revered for his extraordinary healing abilities and was bestowed the title of Quốc Sư (National Teacher) by King Lý Nhân Tông.

Image: The Trà Đông Temple in Thiệu Trung Commune, Thiệu Hóa District, Thanh Hóa Province

The temple is located at the heart of the village, next to the main road that runs through the Đình hamlet of the Chè village. The temple was restored in 1943 and inaugurated in 1946, with its architecture following the “Đinh - 丁.” style. The exterior features a large hall without columns, followed by three long sections. The central section houses a sập (low wooden platform), which serves as the Hội đồng (Council) platform, separated from the innermost section by a door. The innermost section houses the statue of Saint Khổng and various ceremonial items. On either side of the outermost section are the altars of two revered sages from the Lê and Vũ families. The temple's façade is constructed in a “modern” style, with decorative panels depicting three scenes: the founder’s journey to obtain Buddhist scriptures, the founder’s journey to retrieve bronze, and the founder’s passing down of the art of bronze casting. A prominent inscription, beautifully carved in the center of the façade, reads “Tối linh quang từ” (The Most Sacred and Divine Temple).

Image: The Worship Area

Image: The Bronze Bell Inside the Temple

Every year, the Trà Đông Temple Festival is held on the 14th and 15th days of the first lunar month, attracting a large number of local residents and visitors from various regions. This event serves as an opportunity to honor the contributions of Đức Thánh and to pray for health, peace, and happiness.

The Trà Đông Temple is not only a significant spiritual site but also an attractive destination, playing an important role in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the Thanh region. The Trà Đông Temple was officially recognized as a national historical site by Decision No. 208/VH-QĐ on March 13, 1990, issued by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism).

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