The beauty of the custom of offering words at Mao Dien Temple of Literature

With the background music of "Liu Thuy", the procession of 36 women slowly entered the yard of the Temple of Literature.

During the Mao Dien Temple of Literature traditional festival which opened on March 9, visitors were very impressed with the ritual of offering letters to the Saint. This is a special ritual, only found at the Mao Dien Temple of Literature and the Xua Temple relic of Cam Giang district.

The ritual of offering the letters to the Saints is presided over by the team of priests from Cam Dien commune - where Mao Dien Temple of Literature is located. To perform this ritual, 36 women were carefully selected to carry the letters, dance with fans to the music of Luu Thuy. This ritual has been performed since ancient times, during every festival season.

According to Mr. Ha Quang Thanh, Head of the Cam Giang District Relic Management Board, the four words offered in this year's traditional festival are Chinese characters: Ton - Su - Trong - Dao. The 36 women were carefully selected, who were filial, gentle with their neighbors, and exemplary in life. 36 is a spiritual number, not a symbol of 36 great doctors in feudal times as some people have wondered.

When the music of the Flowing Water was performed, the procession of characters slowly entered the courtyard of the Temple of Literature from the gate, forming two solemn rows. The celebrant led and explained to visitors why this ritual existed and that it only existed at Mao Dien Temple of Literature.

Duc Van Trinh Chu Van An/ Thanh Liet, Thanh Tri/ Since childhood, did not care about fame and profit/ Upheld the moral principles... Left servant Mac Dinh Chi/ Lung Dong village, Nam Tan, Nam Sach/ Poor family, old people/ Still passed the royal exam... Royal envoy Pham Su Manh/ Hometown Kinh Chu, Kinh Mon/ Heroic intellectual... These are the people currently worshiped at Mao Dien Temple of Literature, whose names were called during the word offering ceremony.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Oanh, former Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, former Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Duong province, offering words is a special ritual, unique to some relics of Cam Giang district. The ritual aims to honor learning, honor examinations, and respect the wise and talented people of the nation. The four words Respect - Teacher - Respect - Religion, although short, express that spirit.

In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, the ceremonial team consisting of prestigious elders in Cam Dien solemnly stepped onto the stage. Meritorious Artist Nguyen Van Thuat (Hai Duong Cheo Theater) raised his voice to praise the teachings: Talented people/ National spirit/ Heroes and heroes/ For the prosperity of education/ For Vietnam/ International integration on par with the five continents' great powers...

At the end of the ceremony of offering the words to the Saint, the funeral oration was solemnly brought into the Temple of Literature and placed before the tablets of the ancestors of the Vietnamese imperial examination system.

Mao Dien Temple of Literature worships Confucius and 8 great scholars representing dynasties and fields who are natives of Hai Duong and famous people who are deeply related to Hai Duong's history and culture. Typical examples include Chu Van An - a representative of education; Mac Dinh Chi, the first mandarin of two countries - a representative of diplomacy; Pham Su Manh, the royal court official - a representative of literature and poetry; Great physician - Zen master Tue Tinh - the founder of Vietnamese medicine; National hero, world cultural celebrity Nguyen Trai - a representative of military and politics; Vietnamese math god - Doctor Vu Huu - a representative of Vietnamese mathematics; Nguyen Thi Due - the first female doctor of Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Oanh added that only a few great scholars had their statues cast here, the rest only had their memorial tablets. This was something that had been carefully considered. For example, the Imperial Envoy Pham Su Manh only had his memorial tablet, because of feudalism, students were not allowed to sit on the same level as their teachers. There was already a statue of Chu Van An here, so Pham Su Manh only had his memorial tablet.

Every year, when spring comes, the cadres and people of Cam Giang district gather at Mao Dien Temple of Literature, respectfully organize a traditional festival to honor the tradition of education, honor the mandarinate, and show respect for the history of the talented. The talents and virtues of famous people are forever shining examples for future generations. Mao Dien Temple of Literature is a beautiful landscape, a destination in the journey of spiritual and cultural tourism, the pride of Dong province's culture, a place to encourage learning and talent of Dong in the past and Hai Duong today. In which, offering words is a unique ritual that few places have.

TIEN HUY