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Con Son - Kiep Bac complex is one of the most famous riligious destinations in
north Vietnam. Con Son-Kiep Bac relic site in Hai Duong Province has several
historical and cultural relics reflecting Buddhism and Confucianism and national
heroes of Vietnam. Located 80 km from Hanoi, the complex is a destination to
explore Vietnam’s history, culture, and religion.
Con Son- Kiep Bac is one of Vietnam’s Buddhist Truc Lam Zen centers founded by
King Monk Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century. The other two are Yen Tu and Quynh
Lam in Quang Ninh Province.
Con Son pagoda was built in the 10th century and was expanded in the 13th
century during the Tran dynasty. In 1329, Venerable Monk Phap Loan, second
founder of Lam Zen Sect upgraded the pagoda. His successor, Huyen Quang expanded
the pagoda, taught Buddhism, printed Buddhist sutras, cast Buddha statues and
developed Con Son into one of the three principal centers of Buddhist Truc Lam
Zen. Le Duy Manh is Deputy Head of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Management
Committee: "Con Son, Yen Tu and Quynh Lam are the three centers of the Truc Lam
Zen sect. Con Son Pagoda was chaired by the three founders of the sect.
Venerable Monk Huyen Quang stayed in Con Son Pagoda all his life. He died on the
23rd day of the first lunar month in 1334. His death anniversary is commemorated
by the Con Son Spring Festival”.
Con Pagoda embodies the royal architectural style distinguished by a half-moon
lake and a three-door temple gate in the front. A path leads to the bell tower
before reaching the main sanctuary, behind which is a lotus-shaped tower and the
memorial house dedicated to the founders of the Truc Lam Zen Sect. In 1962, the
pagoda was recognized as a national heritage site. Near Con Son pagoda is Kiep
Bac Temple and a temple dedicated to the Confucian teacher Chu Van An.
Con Son-Kiep Bac relic site still preserves documents, worshipping rituals, and
traditional festivals. There are also four stone steles dating back to the 13th
century. One of them is the famous stele called “Thanh Hu Cave” which is
recognized as a "national treasure". It was a gift King Tran Due Tong presented
to mandarin Tran Nguyen Dan in 1369. Le Duy Manh again: "The Con Son Pagoda
features a traditional sculptural style that honors four sacred animals: dragon,
unicorn, tortoise and phoenix and four sacred plants: apricot, pine,
chrysanthemum, and bamboo. There are also sculptures of other animal species
like crab, fish, and deer. All animals bow before the Buddha showing that all
species and people are equal and are educated by Buddha to become good”.
5 km from Con Son pagoda is Kiep Bac Temple, which worships military leader Tran
Hung Dao. It was there in the 13th century that Tran Hung Dao stocked food and
trained soldiers for a fight against Mongol invaders. Tran Hung Dao died on
August 20, 1300 and Van Kiep temple was built to worship him. Nguyen Thi Thuy
Lien is Deputy Director of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Management Committee:
"Van Kiep relic site covers more than 4 square km. Its architecture embraces a
royal style dating from the 19th century. The temple has undergone several
restorations under the Le and Nguyen Le dynasties”.
Con Son-Kiep Bac relic site is now a popular tourist destination. Juan is a
Spanish tourist: “Vietnam has managed to preserve its tradition and culture.
This pagoda is well harmonized with the surrounding landscape”. |
