Temple of the Great General who commanded the 12 seaports
(Baonghean.vn) - De Nhat Temple was built by the people of De Nhat village in Tan Phong hamlet, Dien Nguyen commune - Dien Chau. De Nhat Temple was built during the Le dynasty to worship Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon, who was the commander of the navy guarding 12 seaports, protecting the coastal region.
From "The General in Charge of Guarding the Twelve Seaports"
According to the Hoang family genealogy in Van Phan (now Dien Van, Dien Chau) and the stele "Nam Mieu Ton Than Su Tich" compiled by the General Director of the National History Institute Cao Xuan Duc and some other local documents, Sat Hai Dai Vuong's real name was Hoang Ta Thon, his pen name was To Dai Lieu, born on April 15, 1254 (the year of Giap Dan) in Van Phan village, Dien Chau district. His mother was from the Truong family in Ly Trai village.
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The three-entrance gate of the First Temple |
Hoang Ta Thon grew up when the country was invaded by the Mongols. Because he was talented in swimming, martial arts, intelligent, and resourceful, he was added to the royal navy by King Tran Quoc Tuan and hired as a "Noi Thu Gia" (military secretary).
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Ancient stele highlights the achievements of Hoang Ta Thon |
After two failed invasions of Dai Viet, in March of the year Binh Tuat (1286), the Yuan army decided to invade our country again. This time, Hoang Ta Thon was again assigned by the court to command the "wild wolf" naval army. The war lasted for two years (1286-1288), resulting in a resounding victory, the Battle of Bach Dang in the year Mau Ty, which was likened to the Battle of Xich Bich, causing the Yuan army to be terrified and abandon their intention to invade Dai Viet.
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Main hall from outside to the First Temple |
Upon hearing the news, the court posthumously honored him as Generalissimo of To Dai Lien Thien Bong, ordered a dragon boat to carry his coffin back to his hometown of Van Phan for burial in Ma Chay and built a temple there.
Later, all dynasties bestowed upon him the titles of "King of the Sea, Commander of the Strong Lang Thien Bong, Marshal of the Great General, the most superior deity", "Native Thanh Hoang Bao Duc Phuc Than, Commander of the Strong Lang Thai Minh, Helping the Nation, Sect, and People, Hong Mo Vi Luoc Hoang Te Quang Dai Vuong"...
Visit the First Temple - a place that marks many important historical events
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One of two turtles carrying cranes, however the pair of cranes above have disappeared over time. |
The First Temple is not only a spiritual architectural work but also a place that marks many important historical events of the locality in particular and the nation in general. During the Can Vuong movement, the First village was the base of the insurgent army of the mandarin Nguyen Xuan On.
In 1928, comrade Vo Nguyen Hien was sent by the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association to build a base in Dien Chau. From the base in Hau Luat (Dien Binh), he expanded to De Nhat village (Dien Nguyen).
After the Dien Chau District Party Committee was established, the De Nhat Village Party Cell, one of the first two Communist Party Cells in Dien Chau, was also established at the De Nhat Temple. On August 20, 1945, at the De Nhat Temple, the Village Chief handed over the seal, books, and documents to the revolutionary government. On August 21, 1945, the people of De Nhat Village gathered at the temple yard and then, together with the people of Thai Xa Village, arrested the gang leader Huu Tran. The demonstration group marched down to coordinate with the people of the entire district to demonstrate and fight to seize power and establish the Viet Minh government.
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Mr. Tran Van Thanh, the temple caretaker, next to the ancient table used for placing offerings. |
Every year, at the First Temple, there are major festivals such as: Khai Ha Festival held on the 7th day of the first lunar month. Thuong Nguyen Festival, also known as Tet Nguyen Tieu, is a ceremony to pray for peace and ward off bad luck at the beginning of the year, held on the 14th and 15th of the first lunar month. The biggest is the death anniversary of Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon, held on the 15th day of the third lunar month (from March 14 to 15). The main ceremony is held from 9am on March 15 to 11am.
The temple currently preserves many valuable ancient artifacts such as two stone turtles, a stone mortar used to pound spices, an ancient stone stele, a square table about 1.2m wide carved with tigers, dragons and other sacred animals.
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The temple has many ancient statues, this is the altar of the Five Buddha Kings. |
This ancient table, hundreds of years old, is often brought out to the yard to be used for worshiping, four times a year: on the full moon of the first, third, sixth and twelfth lunar months. In addition, the temple also preserves many ancient Buddha statues called the King Buddha, which still retain their original lacquer paint, which is very precious.
Having existed for hundreds of years, De Nhat Temple is a typical long-standing cultural and spiritual work of Dien Nguyen people in particular and the whole region in general. This is the place that marks and witnesses many historical events as well as cultural and religious activities of local people for many centuries.
Therefore, every year, on important holidays, people from the surrounding areas come to attend in large numbers. This also shows the gratitude and tradition of “remembering the source of water” of the nation, contributing to educating patriotism for today’s and future generations.