The Ba Vang Pagoda (also known as Bao Quang Tu) is led by Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh since 2007. Situated on the slope of Thanh Dang Mountain, in Quang Trung Ward, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province, Ba Vang Pagoda has become a spiritual tourism destination attracting many visitors from both domestic and international locations. Additionally, it stands as one of the largest Buddhist centers in the northern region, drawing thousands of Buddhist followers for activities and spiritual practice.

To explore the sacred essence of Ba Vang Pagoda in the hearts of Buddhist believers and the people, please read the following article.

History of the Formation and Development of Ba Vang Pagoda
#1. Serendipity leads to the discovery of Ba Vang Pagoda
Ba Vang Pagoda was established during the Tran dynasty (13th century) and, after facing years of war and natural disasters, the small pagoda was covered by the forest, with only a few artifacts remaining. The significant moment of rediscovering the ancient pagoda is attributed to the story of an old farmer searching for his lost cattle in 1987.

Legend has it that after days of searching for the lost cattle, the old farmer dreamt that he would find them on Ba Vang Mountain. The next day, he courageously ventured into the forest but stumbled and fell. While on the ground, he noticed ancient roof tiles and a stone turtle with inscriptions. Believing this might be the location of an ancient temple, he placed some wild sim fruits on the stone turtle and prayed for divine help in finding his cattle. After the prayer, he was surprised to find the entire herd of cattle near a nearby stream.

Inspired by this miraculous event, the old man shared the story with the villagers, and people eagerly gathered to explore the high mountain area, collecting remnants of the ancient pagoda.

#2. The formation and development of Ba Vang Pagoda
a. Formation process
There is no clear and accurate historical documentation about the formation of Ba Vang Pagoda. However, based on patterns and decorations found on roof tiles discovered by locals in the 1980s, it can be affirmed that the pagoda existed around the 13th century (Tran dynasty), during the reign of King Tran Nhan Tong, who founded the Truc Lam Zen sect.

b. Development process
The development of Ba Vang Pagoda is closely linked to the transformations it underwent through four restoration phases. Each restoration phase corresponded to different periods, extents, and scales.

The first restoration, marking the revival and continuation of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect after a three-century hiatus, took place in 1706. Venerable Thien Su Ma Ha Sa Mon Tue Bich Pho Giac led the reconstruction of Bao Quang Tu on Ba Vang Mountain, involving Buddhist followers and people from all directions.

However, over the years of war and natural disasters, the pagoda gradually fell into decay. Recognizing the severe deterioration, authorities and the people of Uong Bi town (now Uong Bi City) initiated the restoration of the pagoda using wood in 1988, following the villagers' wishes.

In 1993, due to the significant degradation of the pagoda, the Uong Bi City Heritage Preservation Board restored Ba Vang Pagoda using roof tiles and cement, covering an area of 95 square meters, including three meditation halls, an arched entrance, a meditation hall, living quarters, a corridor, etc.

With the approval of the authorities and permission from Venerable Thich Thanh Tu (Abbot of Truc Lam Zen Monastery), and the support of the people, Buddhist followers of Uong Bi City, and Quang Ninh Province, Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh assumed the responsibility of the abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda in 2007. This marked the most significant milestone in the pagoda's transformation and the final and largest restoration, resulting in a completely new, majestic, and splendid temple.

Especially after this restoration, Ba Vang Pagoda was honored as the "Largest Main Hall on a Mountain in Indochina" in 2014 by the Vietnam Record Association and received praise for having the "Largest Solid Redwood Drum in Vietnam" from the Vietnam Records Organization. Furthermore, due to its current values and practical contributions to society, Ba Vang Pagoda has been awarded many commendations and acknowledgments by organizations in Vietnam:

The Central Environmental Economic Association commended the pagoda for being "Green and Clean for Environmental Development."
The special book set of 12 volumes entitled "Vietnamese Heroic Martyrs' Records" established three records: Vietnam, Asia, and the world - honoring the cultural, humane, and religious values of the book set.
Moreover, Ba Vang Pagoda serves as a major Buddhist center, attracting a large number of Buddhist followers from both inside and outside the country for regular meditation sessions on the 8th, 14th, 29th (lunar calendar), and the 30th, including programs such as Bát Quan Trai giới Transmission Ceremony, Confession Sessions, Memorial Services for Ancestors' Spirits, and Dharma lectures on various topics. These sessions help Buddhist followers and people from all directions establish positive connections with the Dharma, learn the teachings of the Buddha, and strive for personal development towards goodness, compassion, and beauty, leading to a happy and fulfilled life.

Meaning of the Name Ba Vang Pagoda
According to the explanation by Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, the two words "Ba Vang" symbolize the three precious entities: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. This simple, understandable, and memorable name is close to the people's hearts since ancient times, while still maintaining the inherent nobility of the Three Treasures in the serene meditation setting, expressing their reverence for the precious entities of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

The Hán script name of Ba Vang Pagoda is Bao Quang Tu, where "Tu" means pagoda, and "Bao Quang" signifies precious light. "Bao Quang Tu" translates to a pagoda with precious light. In a deeper sense, the forefathers might have wished for Ba Vang Pagoda to spread the light of the true Dharma everywhere, guiding sentient beings out of the suffering of delusion, achieving wisdom, and attaining liberation.

Doctrine and Practice Methods of Ba Vang Pagoda
The doctrinal practice of monks, Buddhist followers, and the people at Ba Vang Pagoda is Phat Tam Bo De, focusing on cultivating virtues, directing aspirations towards the Supreme Buddha, and attaining Nirvana (the 19th prayer in the 48 prayers of Amitabha Buddha).

The practice methods of Ba Vang Pagoda are Meditation - Dual Cultivation of Tranquility

This involves the combination of meditation and concentration practices, allowing practitioners to flexibly apply meditation techniques according to specific circumstances to calm and purify the mind. In meditation, there is tranquility, and in tranquility, there is meditation.

The Buddha teaches that the "mind" is the root, and meditation or tranquility are methods to repair the mind, transforming it from unwholesome to wholesome, from impure to pure, and liberating the bound mind. All the practices in Buddhism are means to attain enlightenment and liberation.

In learning the Dharma, one must rely on the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Precepts of the Buddha as the foundation.

Meditation: Meditate on the Four Mindfulnesses, meditate on the objects of concentration.

Tranquility: The foundation of tranquility is to purify the three evil karmas.

Faith: Having faith in the Buddha is a complete understanding, leading to perfect liberation, leaving behind the Dharma for us to practice. Having faith in the Dharma, practicing it results in the end of suffering and brings joy. Trusting the Sangha, those who sincerely practice and propagate the Dharma, helps us in our practice. Trusting in oneself that one can practice the Dharma and achieve the desired results.

Virtue: Practicing the Precepts, purifying karma with right views, using the six harmonies to purify karma, using the merits of Bodhisattva to purify karma.

Aspiration: Turning towards the Supreme Bodhi.

Clubs and monasteries are practicing at Ba Vang Pagoda, not only aspiring to build and educate the Sangha as in the time of the Buddha but also particularly focusing on the practice of Buddhism, nurturing the mind and body of the residents, Buddhists at home through the establishment of monasteries, expanding to form clubs for Buddhists to practice together, aiming for the path of enlightenment and liberation.

In addition, the development of character and morality for the future generation of the country is also a focus of Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh through the establishment of the Ba Vang Youth Club for students and students across the country.

#1 Golden Chrysanthemum Club - Harmonious Meditation
Whether monks or Buddhists at home, if they can maintain harmony and unity, the group will have strength and success. From that aspiration and with good fortune, in 2017, in response to the requests of the Buddhist followers, Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh allowed the establishment of the Golden Chrysanthemum Club - Harmonious Meditation at Ba Vang Pagoda. The Golden Chrysanthemum Club - Harmonious Meditation is led by Buddhist Pham Thi Yen (Dharma name Tam Chieu Hoan Quan). The club was established with the purpose of seeking happiness, reducing suffering, relying on transformation to build genuine faith in the Dharma of the Buddha, applying Buddhist teachings to daily life. It is a wholesome environment, a place where the spiritual community is united to help Buddhist followers nurture their minds and practice the six harmonies, cultivate Bodhisattva virtues, and strive for liberation in the future.

Since its establishment, the Golden Chrysanthemum Club - Harmonious Meditation has grown to 10 monasteries with more than 700 members participating. Up to now, the club has developed with an estimated total of nearly 600 monasteries, reaching thousands of Buddhists across the country and expanding globally. All monasteries follow the teachings of Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, the monks of Ba Vang Pagoda, and the guidance from the bookshelf of Ms. Pham Thi Yen, becoming stronger in both quantity and quality, spreading the light of Buddhism to all sentient beings, just as the Master has always desired.

#2 Overseas Buddhist Monastery
On November 12, Canh Ty (December 25, 2020), the Overseas Buddhist Monastery group consisting of Vietnamese people living and working abroad was officially established with the name "Overseas Buddhist Monastery of Ba Vang Pagoda" under the guidance of Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, the monks of Ba Vang Pagoda, and the guidance and books of Ms. Pham Thi Yen, head of the Golden Chrysanthemum Club. After 7 months of activities and practice, the Overseas Buddhist Monastery has developed strongly and spread to more than 20 countries around the world: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Australia,...

The Overseas Buddhist Monastery is a place to connect Vietnamese Buddhist children living, studying, and working in many countries and territories around the world. They come together to study, support each other in practice, and transform their suffering for themselves and their families, bringing happiness and joy to life. In addition, the Overseas Buddhist Monastery is also a place to share, extend helping hands to the Vietnamese community abroad when facing difficulties in life.

#3 Ba Vang Youth Club
Before ordaining, Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh was a lecturer standing on the podium, leading countless people through the river of knowledge to the future shore. When following the vow to ordain and practice, the Master has always hoped that the younger generation would receive comprehensive education in both intelligence and morality.

From that aspiration, on July 29, 2017, with the consent of Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, the Ba Vang Youth Club was born. Regularly on the first Sunday of the lunar month, members of the Youth Club come together to participate in social volunteer activities, study the teachings of the Buddha, nurture their minds, cultivate virtues, and develop morality and intelligence. Under the guidance of Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, it is hoped that the seeds of goodness will flourish and develop in the spiritual garden of the youth.

#4 La Hau La Club
A country wishing for prosperity, development, and civilization depends on the construction and dedication of each citizen, especially the younger generation. Buddhism is the same; for the Dharma to survive and endure in the world, it is crucial to take care of, educate, and train the younger generation. Understanding deeply the importance of the younger generation for the nation and the future of Buddhism, with good fortune, on September 21, 2021, Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh instructed and allowed the establishment of the La Hau La Club.

The La Hau La Club is a healthy environment for the children of Buddhist followers officially and Buddhist followers aspiring to practice harmoniously in the Golden Chrysanthemum Club - Harmonious Meditation at Ba Vang Pagoda, aged 6 - 18. Activities and learning in the club provide opportunities for the children to socialize, forge friendships, develop life skills, enhance moral values based on the doctrine of karma, bringing benefits to themselves, their families, and contributing to the betterment of the country and humanity.

Ba Vang Pagoda is a major Buddhist center in the country with the sincere practice and tranquility of the Monastic Sangha, as well as the devoted application of the Buddha's teachings by Buddhist followers. Simultaneously, the pagoda is a peaceful cultural and spiritual tourism destination with ancient arches, majestic nature, and a place to return to pure, virtuous, and noble minds.

Source: https://chuabavang.com/gioi-thieu-chua-ba-vang-quang-ninh-d4390.html
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