From ancient times to the present, when mentioning the traditional history of the Liên Minh commune, people not only refer to it as a land rich in revolutionary tradition but also as a homeland with a cultural heritage. The distinctive cultural imprint of Liên Minh is vividly manifested through historical and cultural relics such as temples and pagodas. Among them, the historical and cultural relic of Hổ Sơn Pagoda, where Princess Huyền Trân is worshiped, has contributed significantly to enriching the unique cultural traditions of Liên Minh.

Hổ Sơn Pagoda in Liên Minh commune was built over 700 years ago. It is the place where Princess Huyền Trân established a Buddhist shrine. Princess Huyền Trân was the younger sister of King Trần Anh Tông, the only daughter of Emperor Trần Nhân Tông and Empress Khâm Từ Bảo Thánh. Born and raised during a tumultuous period in Đại Việt after three fierce resistance campaigns against the Mongol invaders, Princess Huyền Trân's life reflects a deep commitment to the prosperity of the country.

According to historical records, in 1301, during a visit to Chiêm Thành, Emperor Trần Nhân Tông promised to marry Princess Huyền Trân to the Chiêm Lord Chế Mân as a gesture of goodwill. In a display of patriotism and filial obedience, Princess Huyền Trân sacrificed herself, offering her youth for the prosperity of the nation. She was sent to Chiêm Thành as the wife of Chế Mân in 1306 to maintain friendly relations between the two countries. In response to the kindness of Emperor Trần Nhân Tông, the Chiêm Lord offered two provinces, Châu Ô and Châu Lý, corresponding to the area from Hải Vân Pass to present-day Quảng Trị province, as a gift to Đại Việt. Living in Chiêm, Princess Huyền Trân traveled extensively, exploring the Cham Pa culture. Embracing her father's philosophy of "compassion and benevolence," Huyền Trân built numerous temples and pagodas, caring for the people and earning their affection.

Princess Huyền Trân's short-lived marriage lasted just over a year as Chế Mân suddenly passed away due to illness. Following Chiêm Thành customs, Huyền Trân, who was highly regarded by the Chiêm Lord, was to be cremated. However, at that time, Huyền Trân had just given birth to the heir, Chế Đa Đa. Upon hearing the news, Emperor Trần Anh Tông, Huyền Chân's older brother, sent an envoy to Chiêm Thành to bring her back. After a 10-month journey at sea, in August 1308, Princess Huyền Trân and the envoy arrived in Thăng Long, the capital. In early 1309, Princess Huyền Trân requested Emperor Trần Nhân Tông, who was then practicing Buddhism at Yên Tử, to allow her to enter monastic life. In 1311, Princess Huyền Trân established a Buddhist shrine at the foot of Hổ Mountain, dedicating herself to religious practice until her passing on April 9, 1340.

At that time, in the village of Tiền, Tam Thanh commune, west of Hổ Mountain, Princess Thụy Bảo, Huyền Trân's half-sister, was cultivating the An Lạc flower garden and establishing a meditation temple. The two sisters engaged in religious practices, serving the Buddhist teachings, cultivating crops for the people's livelihood, and growing medicinal herbs for healing. After their deaths, the people of Hổ Sơn village built a shrine at Nộn Sơn Pagoda to express gratitude and sorrow for the gentle and beautiful Princess Huyền Trân, who sacrificed her youth for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

Every year on the 9th of April in the lunar calendar, which is the anniversary of Princess Huyền Trân's death, the people of Hổ Sơn village organize a festival to remember and honor her contributions. The Hổ Sơn Pagoda still preserves 27 statues and 27 ancient artifacts, including valuable relics such as statues of the two princesses and the four imperial edicts from different dynasties, a number of incense burners, and ceramic objects with the artistic style of the Lê dynasty. Recognizing the historical value of the pagoda, on September 27, 2006, the provincial People's Committee issued a decision recognizing Hổ Sơn Pagoda as a provincial-level historical relic.

Hổ Sơn Pagoda, also known as Hổ Linh Pagoda, is located on the southern slope of Hổ Mountain, in Hổ Sơn hamlet, Liên Minh commune, with various construction elements serving to promote the local cultural and religious traditions. Having undergone the ups and downs of the country's history, Hổ Sơn Pagoda had seriously deteriorated. Responding to the desire for restoration and preservation of the historical relics by the local people, Buddhist followers, and the temple authorities, on January 22, 2020, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee approved the decision to allow the restoration and enhancement of Hổ Sơn Pagoda. Particularly with the support of the BB Group and other investors, construction officially began in early 2021, aiming to contribute to the preservation and promotion of the cultural values of the Trần dynasty. The project was built on the old temple grounds and planned to expand the premises to a total area of 13 hectares, consisting of 30 major and minor construction items. Among them, the worship area includes the Tam Bảo tower, the Mother Goddess shrine, the Princess Huyền Chân shrine, ancestral hall, Aunt's pavilion, Uncle's pavilion, and the eighteen Arhat statues, along with stone tablets, creating a harmonious architectural composition. The entire statue of Buddha, statues of the two princesses, couplets, incense burners, and architectural elements inside are meticulously carved and painted in the traditional gold leaf on red-brown background, expressing the sacred and dignified nature of the spiritual place. Next to the temple and shrine, Sơn Trang Cave, Heavenly Altar, and incense cave on the mountainside were also restored.

Looking from the temple and shrine, there is a spacious and well-designed courtyard within the planned area. In this temple complex, a 13-story Bảo Tháp tower, 26 meters high, the statue of Quan Âm Bodhisattva, flagpole, onyx well, traditional medicine house, and especially the Dragon Boat – Huyền Trân Princess Museum depicting the scene of the dragon boat welcoming Princess Huyền Trân from Chiêm Thành back to the country are built. More notably, a statue of Emperor Trần Nhân Tông, made of sandstone, stands 5.1 meters tall, symbolizing the life of the Emperor. Within the temple complex, there is also a guesthouse, nunnery, 12 pagodas, and various nearby auxiliary structures such as flower gardens, lotus ponds, enhancing the completeness and beauty of the temple grounds. Therefore, when visiting Hổ Sơn Pagoda in Liên Minh commune, people and tourists not only devoutly worship Buddha, pray for health and peace but also have the opportunity to learn more about the life of Princess Huyền Trân – the gentle and beautiful daughter of Đại Việt who dedicated her youth to bring peace and prosperity to the country.

Currently, the main construction items within the overall Hổ Sơn Pagoda project have been basically completed. It is expected that by the end of 2022, the restoration project of Hổ Sơn Pagoda will be completed, creating a historical relic site for future generations. This 700-year-old pagoda has been rebuilt to be majestic and dignified, not only meeting the aspirations of the local people for the preservation of the historical and cultural relics of the region but also contributing to the promotion of the cultural and religious values of the people, enabling followers, Buddhists, and local people to practice the traditional beliefs of worshiping mothers, village deities, and Buddha, passed down through generations, with profound humanistic significance.

Source: https://vuban.namdinh.gov.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/chua-ho-son-dau-an-cuoc-doi-cong-chua-huyen-tran-209314
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