Architecture of Nham Duong temple
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Nhat Duong temple also known under formal names: Thanh Quang, was first built in the Tran dynasty under the reign of Thieu Bao (1279). By the 17th century, imperial monk Dao Nam Thong Giac Thuy Nguyet, the patriarch of Vietnam Tao Dong Zen practiced his religion and passed away at Thanh Hoa grotto. Thus, Thien Quang temple became the cradle of the Vietnam Tao Dong Zen sect.
The 2nd patriarch of Tao Dong Zen sect is imperial monk Tong Dien, formally named Chan Dung. Still preserved intactly at the pagoda are two old towers storing the relics of two patriarches.
The 2nd patriarch of Tao Dong Zen sect is imperial monk Tong Dien, formally named Chan Dung. Still preserved intactly at the pagoda are two old towers storing the relics of two patriarches.
The date ancestral monk Thuy Nguyet after death became a deity is the beginning of the Nham Duong temple festival, which takes place on March 5-7 (Lunar calendar) every year. The ceremony includes solemn rituals. The festival with many folk games and unique performances draws thousands of visitors attending.
The main hall of Nham Duong temple
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Nham Duong temple is often called Thanh Quang temple by local people since it’s associated with the legend of Thuy Nguyet, 1st patriarch of Tao Dong Zen sect becoming a deity after death. The vestiges of this myth still remain in Thanh Hoa grotto and Tinh Niem grotto behind the temple and is written very clearly on the epitaph in Chinese.
Particularly, there is a 800-year-old gold apple tree being lush all year round in the temple.
The ancestral shrine of Nham Duong temple is displaying numberous porcelain artifacts, pottery artifacts and antiques and ancient documents excavated at Nham Duong relic complex.
Particularly, there is a 800-year-old gold apple tree being lush all year round in the temple.
The ancestral shrine of Nham Duong temple is displaying numberous porcelain artifacts, pottery artifacts and antiques and ancient documents excavated at Nham Duong relic complex.
The roof of Nham Duong temple
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Duy Tan commune is a beautiful lowland with long rocky mountains where “the dragon bends and the elephant bows”. A system of limestone mountains, caves and majestic natural scenery here is rare masterpiece of Hai Duong and the country.
Apart from Nham Duong temple, the relic complex also has grandiose mountains and dozens of enchanting caves, such as Thanh Hoa, Tinh Niem, Chieng, Trong, Toi, etc.
These caves own prehistoric artifacts that attract the attention of archaeologists. In 2000, many bones of 17 faunal species, including elephant, rhino, monkey, wild boar, and especially anthropoid ape, from the Quaternary, 30,000 – 50,000 years ago, were detected in Thanh Hoa grotto behind the temple.
Apart from Nham Duong temple, the relic complex also has grandiose mountains and dozens of enchanting caves, such as Thanh Hoa, Tinh Niem, Chieng, Trong, Toi, etc.
These caves own prehistoric artifacts that attract the attention of archaeologists. In 2000, many bones of 17 faunal species, including elephant, rhino, monkey, wild boar, and especially anthropoid ape, from the Quaternary, 30,000 – 50,000 years ago, were detected in Thanh Hoa grotto behind the temple.
