Saturday, 05/09/2026
The ceremony of putting statue of Three Patriarch Truc Lam of Tieu Dao Pagoda
Update: 20/03/2025
The abbot of Tieu Dao Pagoda, Junior Thich Tam Tinh preached "Summary history of Three Patriarch of Truc Lam Sect" with the attendees before the ritual.
The Tran dynasty is one of the most prosperous dynasties in the nation history, Buddhism in this dynasty has developed brilliantly and deeply influenced all social aspects, creating a certain impression in Vietnamese Buddhist history, especially, the Three Patriarchs of this Zen sect are Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Huyen Quang.
- First Patriarch: Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308)
As a king with great merit in the second and third resistance war against the Yuan Mongols, King Tran Nhan Tong built Dai Viet as a flourishing country, implementing appropriate foreign policy after repelling the two aggression wars. In 1293, the king gave the throne to his son Tran Anh Tong, became the Highest Emperor, and then ordained as a monk in Buddhism.
First Patriarch - Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong used to come to Vinh Nghiem pagoda (Bac Giang province) to practice, settle down, and preach here. He has left poetic works, Patriarch’s teachings,... including the work "Cu Tran Lac Dao poem" including 10 chapters, shows the thought and practice method of Truc Lam sect, some views on the Pure Land.
- Second Patriarch Phap Loa (1284-1330)
His secular name was Dong Kien Cuong, born in 1284 in Hai Duong province. In 1304, the Buddha Emperor traveled to many places to destroy false doctrines or heresies, and give dharma medicine to cure suffering. When the Buddha Emperor arrived at Nam Sach River, Kien Cuong came to ask to become a monk, he was 21 years old at this time. The Tame One was pleased to see him, said: "This person has the dharma eye, could obey the Buddha" and named him Thien Lai. Then, Kien Cuong returned to Ky Lan temple in Linh Son to have the hair-cutting ritual and receive novice precepts.
In 1305, the Patriarch received Bhikkhu and Bodhisattva precepts with the dharma name Phap Loa. In 1306, Buddha Emperor appointed him to teach the dharma at Bao An temple in Sieu Loai. At Thien Bao hermitage in 1307, The Tame One passed on the robe, bowl, and heart verses to the Second Patriarch. In 1308, the First Patriarch held a succession ceremony for the next Patriarch, who was the abbot of Sieu Loai Pagoda. The First Patriarch passed on the Tripitaka written in blood, scriptures outside to the next Patriarch. In 1308, the First Patriarch passed away. The Second Patriarch composed the book Thach That My Ngu which was the First Patriarch's work while at Thach That. On March 3rd, 1330, the Second Patriarch passed away.
- Third Patriarch Huyen Quang (1254-1334)
Mr. Huyen Quang's real name is Ly Dao Tai, born in 1254 downstream of Bac Giang River, Bac Ninh province. In 1274, Dao Tai passed the 1st degree exam, the following year he passed the 2nd degree exam, was appointed to the position of Academy in charge of documents, received envoys from the North, and also denied engaging to Princess Lieu Nu when he was young. One day, he and King Tran Anh Tong arrived to Vinh Nghiem pagoda to listen to Zen Master Phap Loa preach the sutras. Dao Tai said:
"Being an official on Bong Dao, attaining enlightenment to Pho Da, on the human world is Fairy, the Pure Land is Buddha.
Wealth and honor are no different from the yellow leaves of autumn, white clouds of summer, why should we linger forever?"
Therefore, he submitted a petition to resign becoming a monk and was accepted by the King. He became a monk with the Dharma name Huyen Quang in 1305, and became the abbot of Van Yen Pagoda on Yen Tu Mountain. Patriarch Huyen Quang was well-versed in Buddhism, learned widely, and had many monks following him. In 1308, The Tame One passed away, Huyen Quang followed Zen Master Phap Loa. After that, the Patriarch stayed at Thanh Mai Son for six years, then went to Con Son to teach and established the Cuu Pham Lien Hoa platform. On Jan. 23rd, Dog year (1334), Patriarch Huyen Quang passed away at Con Son, at the age of 80.
The mass offered incense, chanted the mantra, Prajna Sutra, and the ritual of worshiping Buddha, the Patriarchs after the talk of the Abbot.
The ceremony of putting the statues of the Three Patriarchs was a complete success.
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