Cao Xuan Duc and "The Gravestone of Tu Hieu Temple"

(Baonghean) - Dong Cac Dai Hoc Si ​​Cao Xuan Duc is one of the typical celebrities, contributing to the glory of Nghe An's historical and cultural traditions. His outstanding talent as well as his contributions in many fields have been honored by history. He is a person who is very knowledgeable about Buddhism, has a sensitive soul, and sympathizes with the fate of the eunuch class at that time. His work "Sac Tu Tu Hieu Tu Mo Dia Bi Ky" talks about the thoughts, feelings, and deep wishes of the eunuchs of the Nguyen Dynasty when they passed away...

The stele inscription "Sac tu Tu Hieu tu mo dia bi ky" was composed by Long Cuong Cao Xuan Duc.

Cao Xuan Duc, whose courtesy name was Tu Phat, and whose pen name was Long Cuong (1843 - 1923), was from Dien Thinh commune, Dien Chau district. He was a famously intelligent person who held many important positions in the Nguyen Dynasty and lived during a turbulent period in Vietnamese society in the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. His ambition was to preserve his integrity, be diligent and honest, and make every effort to stabilize people's lives and contribute to the preservation and promotion of the nation's unique cultural features. Regarding his literary career, with his profound knowledge, extraordinary intelligence, and especially his brilliant awareness of promoting Vietnamese cultural history, he left behind many valuable works in many fields, deserving to be considered a great scholar of Vietnam. During his years as an official, Cao Xuan Duc was loved by people in many places and respected by his colleagues. In particular, he cared deeply for, understood and loved the eunuchs in the court, which is why he composed the article "Sac tu Tu Hieu tu mo dia bi ky" erected in the stele house in the common grave of the eunuchs to the west of Tu Hieu pagoda.

Eunuchs were a very small number in feudal society and did not belong to any social class. Although they were close to the "Son of Heaven" and held invisible power, they were attached to the palace all their lives, living differently and dying differently. From the time they were "castrated" until they worked in the palace, the fate of the eunuchs was full of grievances, because they were not only physically handicapped but also mentally miserable. They worried that when they passed away without having any descendants, the incense bowls would be cold during the death anniversary. The first part of the stele "Sac Tu Tu Hieu Tu Mo Dia Bi Ky" talks about the origin of Tu Hieu Pagoda as well as its status as the eternal resting place of eunuchs.

Part two mainly talks about the deep thoughts and secret wishes of the eunuchs of the time when they sought eternal rest, taking refuge in the Buddha: “... Coming from the eunuch class, who would not plan for themselves a hundred thousand years later? That is so that after death, people would not worry about not having a place to worship; after taking refuge in the Buddha Dharma, they would not be entangled in the dust of the world and be able to transcend...”. Therefore, they “built a small house to worship Buddha, roofed with tiles so that they could often offer sacrifices; built a communal house to be close to the temple, take refuge in the Buddha, and worship for a long time. When they were alive, they had friends, when they were sick, when they died or were buried, they were all seen off”. Each word, each letter in the article seemed to understand the hearts and minds of those who were “born and not accepted by many people”.

That is the sympathy, the integration into human fate, which even ordinary people cannot do. His understanding, insight and sympathy for the eunuch class of the Nguyen Dynasty is truly precious, very necessary to be studied and promoted, helping us understand more about a class of people whose lives had many twists and turns, grievances in the old society. Thanks to the inscription on this stone stele, we have a more comprehensive view of the life, career as well as the tolerance and kindness of the owner of Long Cuong library.

Binh Nguyen