1068m high above sea level, Yen Tu Mountain is located on the border between Quang Ninh (east) and Bac Giang (west) provinces. This place is associated with the birth, formation and development of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect founded by Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (1258 - 1308). Truc Lam was originally the name of Tran Nhan Tong and his predecessor, Zen Master Dao Vien. The Truc Lam Zen sect is considered the successor and merger of three Vietnamese Zen sects of the 12th century, including: Thao Duong, Vo Ngon Thong and Tin-ni-da-luu-chi. With this unification, Tran Nhan Tong brought the entire Buddhist church of the Tran dynasty into one union. Truc Lam Zen sect has independent ideological content and has its own national identity; Truc Lam Zen sect uses Vietnamese cultural values and encourages Buddhists to contribute to society on the foundation of Compassion - Wisdom of Buddhism.
When talking about the Truc Lam Zen sect, we cannot help but mention three outstanding Zen masters, also known as the Truc Lam Tam Patriarch of this Zen sect, including: Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (first patriarch), Zen master Phap Loa Dong Kien Cuong (1284-1330, second patriarch) and Zen master Huyen Quang Ly Dao Lai (1254-1334, third patriarch). Tran Nhan Tong was the teacher of Zen Master Phap Loa and Zen Master Phap Loa was the teacher of Zen Master Huyen Quang. All three of these outstanding Zen masters practiced and attained enlightenment at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Bac Giang. After attaining enlightenment, Tran Nhan Tong returned to Yen Tu Pagoda to become a monk. Zen master Phap Loa returned to Quynh Lam pagoda in Quang Ninh. The third Patriarch, Zen Master Huyen Quang, went to Con Son Pagoda in Hai Duong to practice. That's why people have this saying.
"Who goes to Con Son, Yen Tu, Quynh Lam.
Vinh Nghiem has not come to meditation yet."
This trip of our Love for Humanity Group is to practice the power of enlightenment and love to help Truc Lam Zen disciples complete their unfinished spiritual path. At the same time, on this trip we also want to learn the spirit of determination to practice the religion of Truc Lam Tam To and their followers to help us help the world.
We meditated together at the bronze statue of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong
