Tien Linh, a tranquil countryside

(Baonghean) - Leaving behind the bustling city of Vinh, crossing the railway tracks from Cua Tien, we visit Tien Linh village in Hung My commune (Hung Nguyen district) to explore and admire this suburban area with its simple, endearing rural features, including ancient banyan trees, village temples, and shrines…

According to the elders, the village used to have three hamlets: Thuong, Trinh, and Dinh, with Dinh hamlet as the center. On the Vang field were the village's cultural and recreational facilities. Tien Linh Pagoda, dating back to ancient times, had two old banyan trees in front of its gate, hence the name Banyan Pagoda. The main hall, with its two bays, was nestled under the shade of ancient trees, housing many Buddha statues and a large bell. On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, during festivals and holidays, villagers often came to the pagoda to offer prayers and seek peace. Before the revolution, this place served as a meeting place for the Ngoc Dien Party branch, and during the resistance against the French, it was a military encampment.

Tien Linh Temple is located in Hung My commune (Hung Nguyen district).

In front of the pagoda is the Bell Well, an ancient well "as wide as a pond" with a stone bridge leading up and down. The well is where people from the entire Tien Linh - Thai Lao (Ke Trieng) region often come to fetch water for drinking. To the right of the pagoda is the festival grounds - a high, dry area used as a playground for the village. During festivals, the villagers often erect poles and flags here, and organize folk games such as swinging, climbing poles, and cockfighting, creating a lively atmosphere. The pagoda owns several acres of rice fields for the villagers to cultivate, and the annual harvest is used to provide incense, offerings, and sticky rice.

To the left of the pagoda is the Sacred House, consisting of two rows of ten-bay structures made of ironwood, roofed with tiles, and built with brick walls, dedicated to Confucius and other sages. Every year on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the village holds a ceremony to honor the Saints, attended by officials, dignitaries, and learned people, to honor Confucianism and pray for academic success in the village. Each time the ceremony is held, the village organizes a grand procession with palanquins, with each hamlet taking turns participating. The pagoda, the Sacred House, the Bell Well, and the festival grounds are interconnected as a unified whole, creating a unique feature in the cultural landscape and lifestyle of the village.

Over time, the village of Vang faded into oblivion, leaving only the remnants of the village well and the communal courtyard. In 2012, local residents and Buddhists from near and far joined forces to restore the village temple. On its former site, the main hall and Buddha statue have been rebuilt in a grand style, while other structures such as the monks' quarters, entrance gate, surrounding wall, landscaping, and pathways are currently under construction and beautification. After years of being merely a memory, the Tien Linh temple has returned to its former state, continuing to be a center of cultural and spiritual life for the village, guiding people towards compassion and holiness. The village also has the Tien Linh shrine dedicated to Cao Son Cao Cac, with two majestic upper and lower halls under the shade of an ancient banyan tree. The upper hall has two bays, and the lower hall has five bays, both made of ironwood. Every year, the temple holds the Khai Ha ceremony and the Ky Phuc ceremony… and each time a ceremony is held, the villagers organize a very solemn procession of the sacred relics.

Right on the village road, in front of the temple, stands a centuries-old banyan tree casting its lush shade. According to Mr. Chuoc, a villager, when he was a young boy, the tree was already as large as it is now, and the village children often came here to play mock battles. In 1930-1931, the revolution hoisted the red flag with the hammer and sickle on this tree, calling on and encouraging the villagers to rise up and fight. Enduring rain, sun, and bombs, the village banyan tree still thrives, a testament to the many ups and downs and transformations of this rural area. The banyan tree is considered a precious tree of the village, and everyone is caring for and preserving it. For the people of Tien Linh, the banyan tree, the well, and the temple are familiar images of their homeland, deeply ingrained in the hearts of generations.

Tien Linh is simple and charming, retaining its traditional rural beauty. Even after leaving for the city, the folk song still resonates in my heart: "Our village was originally Tien Linh / The banyan tree remains, the village communal house is still here." This suburban area has undergone many changes, but the love for the land and its people remains intact, preserving the village traditions.

Huy Thu