Tịnh Quang Pagoda

Tịnh Quang Pagoda is a pagoda situated on a mountainous area to the southwest of Ái Tử village, in Triệu Phong district, Quảng Trị province. This is the only tổ đình (ancestral monastery) in Quảng Trị province, belonging to the Northern School of Vietnamese Buddhism—a spiritual symbol of Buddhism in Quảng Trị. Some monks who have been attached to the pagoda always consider it their ancestral land, while some local people view the pagoda as a charitable centre.

The pagoda also holds an annual Tổ (Ancestral) Commemoration Festival on the 18th day of the 2nd lunar month, organised in coordination by the Provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Board and the Reconstruction Committee (representing the Association of Buddhist Monks, Nuns, and lay Buddhists from the same homeland responsible for the finances). The Tổ Commemoration Festival is organised on a grand scale, reaching the level of a major regional festival, gathering thousands of monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists from across the country, together with local monks, nuns, and thousands of Buddhist followers. With its cultural, historical, and spiritual values, the pagoda was classified as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture and Information under Decision No. 2009/QĐ – BVHTT dated 15/11/1991.

This pagoda is known by various names. Besides its current official name, Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang Pagoda, it is still known by many other names. Its original name was Am Tịnh Độ (Tịnh Độ Hermitage); at present, it is also referred to as Tổ Đình Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang (Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang Ancestral Monastery), Tịnh Quang Tự, or simply Sắc Tứ Pagoda.

Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang Pagoda was founded and built by Venerable Tu Pháp, dharma name Chí Khả, in 1739 during the reign of King Lê Ý Tông (the second year of Lord Nguyễn Phúc Khoát), 261 years ago, with the original name Tịnh Nghiệp Pagoda. From the early days when Lord Nguyễn Hoàng came south to establish his rule, the exact year remains unverified. However, it can be said that this is one of the earliest ancestral monasteries and has had a significant influence on Buddhism and culture in Đàng Trong (the Southern Region). Some research documents indicate the pagoda was called Am Tịnh Độ. Through successive abbots such as Zen Master Tuyết Phong and Zen Master Bảo Châu, Am Tịnh Độ received increasing attention, investment, construction, and renovation, becoming more spacious and complete over time.

In 1739, the Year of the Ox (Kỷ Sửu), the fifth year of King Lê Ý Tông's Vĩnh Hựu era (1739), Lord Nguyễn Phúc Khoát, during a visit to Quảng Trị, stopped by the pagoda and paid homage to the Buddha. Moved by the scenery of the Buddhist sanctuary and the pagoda's reputation among the people, the Lord personally inscribed the five characters "Sắc tứ Tịnh Quang Tự" (Imperially Bestowed Tịnh Quang Pagoda), had a lacquered and gilded plaque made, and presented it to the pagoda. From then on, Am Tịnh Độ was renamed Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang Pagoda and became a famous site.

Some researchers also state that this pagoda existed before 1558, and by the time Nguyễn Hoàng took up his post in Ái Tử, it was already in existence. Around 1600–1650, many renowned Zen masters resided here, of whom only two are known today: Lục Hồ Viên Cảnh, the teacher of Zen Master Minh Châu Hương Hải, and Đại Thâm Viên Quang, who taught Zen principles to Minh Châu Hương Hải.

During the reign of Emperor Gia Long, the pagoda was given the name Tịnh Quang. The pagoda was renovated in the 21st year of Minh Mạng (1941). In 1972, the pagoda was completely destroyed by war. In the 2nd year of Đồng Khánh (1890), it was again renovated, and Mr. Trần Chính Tịnh, dharma name Thông Quảng, was chosen as the Association President. In the 6th year of Thành Thái (1886), the pagoda was further renovated, with a new, splendid monks' residence built, and Dr. Hoàng Bính was invited to write a stele in the 7th year of Thành Thái (1895). On 15 November 1991, the Vietnamese government officially classified the pagoda as a national heritage site, grade A1, under Decision No. 2009/QĐ – BVHTT dated 15/11/1991 by the Ministry of Culture and Information. Currently, the pagoda is managed by Venerable Thích Phước Châu; monthly, the pagoda organises Bát quan trai (Eight Precepts) retreats for a large number of Buddhist followers to practise and consult on Buddhist teachings.

The Buddha Hall is solemnly arranged. The main hall enshrines the Three Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future (Tam Thế Phật). The pagoda has a bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha weighing 2,700 kg, cast in 1997, and a large drum made of buffalo hide, with a drumhead diameter of 165 cm. The pagoda has undergone nine major renovations. The largest renovation was in 1997, with a budget of nearly 2 billion VND, led by Most Venerable Thích Chánh Liêm as Head of the Reconstruction Committee. The ground-breaking ceremony for the renovation was held on 26 March 1997. The current pagoda is 31 metres deep, 27 metres wide, and nearly 15 metres high, and was solemnly inaugurated on 12 March 2001 (18th day of the 2nd lunar month, Year of the Snake).

Through many vicissitudes of history, Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang Pagoda has remained a renowned ancestral monastery of Buddhism in Đàng Trong, regarded as a place that has nurtured and trained many eminent monks, such as Patriarch Nhất Định, founder of Từ Hiếu Pagoda, Huế; Patriarch Phước Huệ, founder of Hải Đức Ancestral Monastery, Huế; or Hải Nhu, who was ordained and studied at this pagoda and, in 1844, carried out a major renovation of Quảng Tế Pagoda and created many Buddha statues; as well as Most Venerable Thích Bích Lâm, who also spent time here.

More recently, people with roots in Quảng Trị such as the late Second Supreme Patriarch, Most Venerable Thích Giác Nhiên (Thiền Tôn Pagoda), the late Most Venerable Thích Giác Hạnh (Vạn Phước Pagoda, Huế), the late Most Venerable Thích Đôn Hậu (Linh Mụ Pagoda), and the late Most Venerable Thích Trí Thủ (Báo Quốc Pagoda, Huế and Già Lam, Ho Chi Minh City) have all been associated with the pagoda.

The pagoda has also organised many of its own distinctive cultural events, such as requiem ceremonies and candle-lighting ceremonies praying for national peace and people's well-being. A notable example is the candle-lighting ceremony praying for national peace and people's well-being on the occasion of the Tổ Commemoration Festival and the inauguration of the Tổ Stupa at Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang Pagoda, held on the evening of 1 April 2010 (17th day of the 2nd lunar month, Year of the Tiger), with the participation of local government representatives and over 3,000 leaders and members of the Buddhist Youth Family.

Additionally, during the Vesak Festival (Buddhist Calendar 2552) as part of the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations held in various localities in Vietnam, the pagoda, along with other major pagodas, participated in this grand festival, combining requiem and prayer ceremonies, thereby helping to promote its image to the wider public.

Furthermore, the pagoda actively participates in charitable and social activities together with other pagodas and has been highly appreciated and recognised by local authorities for these contributions.

Recently, Quảng Trị has seen the emergence of new types of festivals such as the "Reunification of the Country" festival, the "Floating Lanterns on Thạch Hãn River" festival, and the "Requiem at Trường Sơn Martyrs' Cemetery" festival. All these festivals bear the imprint of Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang Pagoda in facilitating venues, organising, and arranging personnel to participate in ceremonies such as requiems and sutra chanting. Sắc Tứ Tịnh Quang Pagoda is also a spiritual tourism destination.

Every year, on the 18th day of the 2nd lunar month, Buddhists from Quảng Trị, regardless of where they live, often return to the Ancestral Monastery to visit and remember the eminent monks who established and spread the Buddha's teachings to this land. After the incense-offering ritual, candles are lit, combined with the scent of incense and the presence of participants, leaving unforgettable impressions on those attending. Although these festivals have only been organised in recent years, they have attracted great interest from many people, are eagerly awaited by friends both domestically and internationally, and leave a deep impression on visitors to Quảng Trị.

Official website Archived on 25 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine