On August 19 (July 16 of the lunar calendar), Thanh Quang Temple (Nham Duong Pagoda), Duy Tan Ward (Kinh Mon, Hai Duong) held an incense offering ceremony to commemorate the 313th anniversary of the second holy ancestor Tong Dien, whose name was Chan Dung, entering nirvana.
Venerable Chan Dung was born in 1683, from Hai Duong. When he heard that Venerable Thuy Nguyet had studied abroad and returned to live at Vong Lao Pagoda, An Son Mountain, he immediately went to consult and was enlightened. Later, Venerable Thuy Nguyet gave him the heart seal and transmission, becoming the second patriarch of the Vietnamese Cao Dong Zen sect. Venerable Tong Dien, whose name was Chan Dung, continued and made the Vietnamese Cao Dong Zen sect famous.
In the mid-17th century, the royal court banned Buddhism. Monk Tong Dien was determined to leave the mountains and return to the capital to present a memorial of warning, the content of which recorded the benefits that Buddhism brought to society, and valued Buddhism as a prosperous nation. After reading the memorial, the king was imbued with the teachings and sincerely repented. King Le Hy Tong specially granted the title of National Master to the Second Patriarch Tong Dien, and allowed him to sit before the king in the main hall to discuss state affairs. To express his repentance, King Le Hy Tong had a double statue of "Buddha sitting on the king's back" carved - the king kneeled so that Buddha could sit on his back, expressing his sincere repentance. This statue is currently at Hoe Nhai Pagoda (Hanoi) and was cast in its original form at Nham Duong Pagoda.
Venerable Chan Dung passed away on July 16, Ky Suu year, Vinh Thinh 5th year of Le Du Tong dynasty. He was a disciple of Zen master Thuy Nguyet, a famous high monk, Zen master, and national teacher in the cause of protecting the country and pacifying the people.
After hundreds of years, monks, nuns and Buddhists still remember the second patriarch of the Cao Dong Zen sect, Venerable Chan Dung, with gratitude and respect. He freed monks and nuns from suffering, converted kings, converted sentient beings, and brought Buddhism to the path of serving the nation and people.
The incense offering ceremony to commemorate the 313th anniversary of the second Holy Patriarch Tong Dien, whose title is Chan Dung, entering nirvana is an occasion for Buddhists and visitors from all over to remember the monk's merits and return to the cultural and spiritual values of his origins.
Nham Duong Pagoda was built during the Tran Dynasty, was the center of Buddhism during the Tran and later Le dynasties and has been preserved and promoted to this day. In addition to the Second Holy Ancestor Tong Dien, this place also has many eminent monks such as Zen Master Thuy Nguyet, the 36th patriarch of the Cao Dong sect, and the First Patriarch of the Cao Dong Zen sect in Vietnam, the founder of Nham Duong.
LE HUONG