Thiên Ấn Pagoda

Thiên Ấn Pagoda is a pagoda located on the summit of Thiên Ấn Mountain, which is high and has a flat top. It was built at the end of the 17th century, together with a cemetery area and tower-shaped tombs. Thiên Ấn Pagoda was classified as a National Historical Site in 1990.

Thiên Ấn Pagoda began construction in 1694 and was completed at the end of 1695 (the 15th year of the Chính Hòa era), during the reign of Lê Huy Tông (under Lord Nguyễn Phúc Chu in the south). According to Venerable Thích Đông Hoàng, currently residing at Thiên Ấn Pagoda, the pagoda was founded in 1627. The year 1627 is inscribed at the gate of Thiên Ấn Pagoda. The founding patriarch of the pagoda was Zen Master Pháp Hóa (1670–1754), secular name Lê Diệt, dharma name Minh Hải Phật Bảo, originally from Fujian Province, China. He was abbot at the tổ đình (ancestral pagoda) for 41 years and passed away at noon on the 17th day of the 1st lunar month, year of Giáp Tuất, at the age of 84, belonging to the Lâm Tế Zen lineage. At first, the pagoda was just a quiet thatched hermitage, later gradually restored and expanded, attracting many monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers, and became famous.

In the 11th year of the Vĩnh Thịnh era (1717, during the reign of King Lê Dụ Tông), Lord Nguyễn Phúc Chu, who was very devout in Buddhism, bestowed upon the pagoda the inscribed plaque "Sắc Tứ Thiên Ấn Tự". This plaque was later damaged and was recreated by Zen Master Hoàng Phúc in 1946.

Thiên Ấn Pagoda has been established since 1716. From 1695 to 1995, over 300 years, the pagoda has had 15 generations of abbots, of whom 6 have been honoured as patriarchs, collectively called the Six Patriarchs. The pagoda has also undergone 5 restorations in the years 1717, 1827, 1910, 1918, and 1959. Most recently, Venerable Thích Huyền Đạt, the latest abbot, passed away on the 1st day of the 12th lunar month, year of Quý Dậu (January 1994), at over 80 years old.

Compared to other ancient pagodas in both the north and south, including Ông Thu Xà Pagoda, this pagoda is not particularly outstanding in terms of interior architecture, except for the abbot's quarters, which were built in the traditional rường house style, using a framework purchased from Phú Nhơn Communal House (this communal house was located in Phú Nhơn Citadel—the first Quảng Ngãi citadel built by the Nguyễn lords in Phú Nhơn village, now Sơn Tịnh township, Sơn Tịnh district; later, Emperor Gia Long moved it to Chánh Mông village, now part of Quảng Ngãi city). In return, the pagoda is built in a unique location, the summit of Thiên Ấn Hill, a sacred land in the minds of the people of Quảng Ngãi.

Not only do the province's monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers revere it as an ancestral pagoda, but for the local people, this pagoda is deeply connected to their spiritual and emotional lives, as reflected in legends such as the Buddha's Well, the Sacred Bell, and many folk verses full of affection passed down through generations.

The cemetery area, where the patriarchs and abbot Zen masters are buried, lies to the east of Thiên Ấn Pagoda. The precious stupas are built in odd-numbered tiers (5, 7, 9) and shaped like lotus flowers. Inside the stupas are the remains, while outside are steles recording their merits, attached to the stupa bodies. This cemetery area is where the remains of six famous Zen masters, successive abbots of Thiên Ấn Pagoda, are preserved—those who maintained and expanded the pagoda and spread the compassionate and joyful teachings of the Buddhas to many followers in the province.

Books on the history of Vietnamese Buddhism, when discussing the development of the Lâm Tế Zen lineage in the South from the 17th century onwards, all regard these figures as true monks, deeply learned in Buddhist studies and renowned for their virtue.

In recent years, with material support from monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers both inside and outside the country, Thiên Ấn Pagoda has organised restorations and new constructions of Buddhist structures such as: the Lâm Tì Ni Garden (royal garden), a nine-storey stupa, and statues of Bodhisattva Buddhas...

On 4 March 1961, the provincial Buddhist association held an inauguration ceremony under the witness of the National Supreme Patriarch, Venerable Thích Tịnh Khiết.

In 1995, the ancestral pagoda erected a statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva made of white kaolin, donated by Quảng Ngãi Buddhists returning from the south.

Every year, the ancestral pagoda holds two major festivals: the 15th day of the 7th lunar month: Vu Lan Festival, and the 15th day of the 4th lunar month: Buddha's Birthday Festival.

Commemoration days:

First Patriarch: 17th day of the 1st lunar month

Second Patriarch: 1st day of the 11th lunar month

Third Patriarch: 30th day of the 6th lunar month

Fourth Patriarch: 1st day of the 3rd lunar month

Fifth Patriarch: 18th day of the 12th lunar month

Sixth Patriarch: 13th day of the 2nd lunar month

Thiên Ấn Pagoda and the tomb of Huỳnh Thúc Kháng on Thiên Ấn Mountain form an interconnected whole, closely linked together. Notably, the Tam Quan Gate, the Thiên Ấn Shrine Gate, and Huỳnh's tomb all face south towards the gently flowing Trà Khúc River and the youthful city of Quảng Ngãi, which is changing day by day. Thiên Ấn Pagoda lies on the province's most distinctive tourist route: Thiên Ấn Mountain – Châu Sa Ancient Citadel – Trương Định Relic Area – Sơn Mỹ Memorial – Mỹ Khê Beach Tourist Area. The scenic Thiên Ấn Mountain and the tomb of Huỳnh Thúc Kháng were classified and certified as national relics by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the beginning of 1990.

Thiên Ấn Pagoda and the Trà Khúc River have also inspired musician Anh Bằng in the songs "Thiên Ấn Tự" and "Sông Trà Khúc" of the Vietnamese modern music genre.

Relics and Scenic Spots of Quảng Ngãi, published by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quảng Ngãi in 2001, reprinted in 2005

Non Nước Xứ Quảng (Quảng Ngãi) Volume One, published by Thanh Niên Publishing House in 2005