Chua Market, a land of memories

(Baonghean) - Going upstream on the Giang River, or following Highway 533 through Thanh Lien, crossing the suspension bridge, you will reach Chua Market, located in Lien Chung Hamlet, Phong Thinh Commune (Thanh Chuong). This is a prime land, convenient for water and land routes, with mountains, rivers, fields, and beaches embracing each other, creating advantages for livelihood, for residents to gather. For more than half a century, although there are no longer pagodas, temples, or prefectures here, constructions such as markets, bridges, post offices, hospitals, schools, department stores, etc. all share the name Chua Market. It is like a nostalgia, a regret for the past.

Chung Linh Pagoda.

According to legend, 500 years ago, on Chua Mountain, "Chung Linh Ancient Temple" appeared, a large temple, affirming the ancient land with the long-standing presence of Buddhism here. "Chung Linh" means the sacred bell sound. In the years before the revolution, the temple was still present with many gilded Buddha statues, densely packed with banyan trees, wind trees, and old river trees, as big as several people hugging. After many historical changes, today, the temple only has traces of the yard, ancient stele and headless stone turtle. Currently, Chung Linh Temple has been restored to its old location in the expectation of the people. Located on Chua Mountain with an area of ​​11,000m², in front is Giang River, on the right is Chuong Lake, on the left is Chieng Lake, 2 lakes stretching to hug the foot of the mountain, the charming feng shui position has added a rare beauty to Chung Linh Temple. Abbot Thich Quang Bao said: “With the attention of authorities at all levels, the support and contributions of Buddhists, locals, and philanthropists, Chung Linh Pagoda is being restored and embellished, becoming the most beautiful and majestic pagoda in Thanh Chuong, worthy of being a place for spiritual and religious activities of the whole region”. The temple bell rings again as before. People from everywhere make pilgrimages to the pagoda to take refuge in Buddha. The revival of the old pagoda on the old land not only brings charm and peace to a rural area, but also revives many long-standing cultural values ​​of our ancestors, guiding people towards truth - goodness - beauty...

This place has the quiet silence of pagodas, the hustle and bustle of the river region "above the market, below the boat". Next to the Giang River is an ancient market that has existed since ancient times, because it is close to the pagoda, it is called Chua Market. Previously, the market was held in September, but now it is held every day. Goods are products of the entire Cat Ngan region, brought in by river and road. This place is famous for fish, potatoes, bamboo shoots... of the midlands, which have been passed down in poetry: "Thanh Chuong has delicious Giang River fish / La Mac potatoes are delicious, Chua Market has delicious bamboo shoots". During the historic August Revolution, La Mac people gathered at Chua Market, arrested the village chief, Chanh Trung, and Lenh My, coordinated with the people of the communes, and rose up to seize power. Despite many changes, Chua Market is still on the old land, not only the trading center of the region but also a red address associated with the history of the homeland.

Along the banks of the Giang River, from the market, going downstream is the Ca Temple, going upstream is the Duc Thanh Temple. The Ca Temple worships the people who opened up and protected the village - Ban Canh Thanh Hoang and Song Dong Ngoc Nu. According to Mr. Nguyen Ba Ton - an 80-year-old veteran, the Ca Temple used to have 3 buildings: the lower, middle, and upper halls, which were very majestic. In front of the temple, there was a three-door gate, with statues of generals, horses, facing the river, very beautiful. The temple is sacred, people passing by must take off their hats and bow their heads. Local residents often come to burn incense and pray. During the war years, the temple was destroyed, leaving only the yard, which later became the post office...

In front of the Ca Temple is the ferry dock of Chua Market. In the past, the dock, the temple and the market were connected by a riverside road. Things have changed, the old dock now has only shaky rocks and dense trees. As a person who used to live and row boats on the Giang River in his youth, for Mr. Ton, the hometown river dock holds many memories. He shared: “In the past, I was also a fisherman. My father participated in the fight against the French, was arrested by the enemy and imprisoned in Vinh prison, when he was released from prison, he still returned to this river dock, rowed boats to make a living and picked up and dropped off revolutionary cadres during meetings”. The suspension bridge of Chua Market connects the two banks of the Giang River and the old ferry dock, becoming an unforgettable memory in the hearts of people who used to be attached to, going up and down the hometown river like Mr. Ton.

The Cho Chua land is crowded and bustling, still following the old village customs, on land and on boats, inside and outside in harmony. The people, Catholics, Buddhists, unite, work hard, preserve good customs. Walking through the "future town", the center of the Thanh Chuong mountainous region, listening to the bell of Chung Linh pagoda slowly every afternoon, seems to evoke in people's hearts a whole region of memories...

Huy Thu