Vietnamese Women, vol. 2 chapter 2, part 3: other remains, 21 to 30

from: Bao Tang Phu Nu Nam Bo: The Vietnamese Women. Vestiges & Landscapes. The Cultural-Historic (Di Tich Thang Canh Lich Su Van Hoa. Phu nu Viet Nam); Nha Xuat Ban Phu Nu 1999; volume 2: remains of goddesses - lady ancestors of different professions - mothers of famous persons (Di tich ve nu than, mau, ba to cac nganh nghe va me cac danh nhan)

2.21 XUAN HOA Pagoda (XUÂN HÒA Pagoda) [built in 1925 - enlarged in 1937]

NGUYEN VAN CU STREET - XUAN LOC TOWN - LONG KHANH DISTRICT - DONG NAI PROVINCE

Built since 1925, the pagoda was of low quality wood and bamboo with its roof of thatch. Until 1928, a lady Huong Ca (village headman's wife) who lived in Nui Do pagoda, saw that Xuan Loc pagoda was so desolate [that] she decided to offer the new pagoda made of bricks and tiles.

In 1937, a Ms. Nguyen Thi Mau with her little brother and local Buddhist followers contributed money and materials for building move a spacious and sublime main hall in front of the old pagoda which was for the worship of Patriarchs (p.117).

2.22 BINH HOA Dinh (BÌNH HÒA Ɖình) [offerings for protection gods]

PHO ISLE - BIEN HOA CITY - DONG NAI PROVINCE

Binh Hoa Dinh (Bình Hòa Ɖình) was formerly for the worship of the Tutelary deities [protection gods] such as: Chua Tien, Chua Ngoc, Cuu Thien Huyen Nu in accordance with the beliefs of the women in Cu Lao Pho (Pho Isle). The dinh construction had the subscription of a Ms. Dac Thi Dao. Ms. Dao offered her lands and properties for building the dinh (đình) [center].

The women living in Pho Isle have constantly come to the dinh for making offerings; when they passed away, they might be buried in the dinh precinct [district]. Within the dinh, there is also the altar dedicated to worship the "Former Ladies" (the ladies of the previous generations).

2.23 DAI GIAC Pagoda (ƉAI GIÁC Pagoda) [Chinese Ming came as refugees in 1679 - building Biên Hòa]

NHI HOA HAMLET - HIEP HOA VILLAGE - DONG NAI PROVINCE

According to the history, the former mandarins in the Ming dynasty, Duong Ngan Dich and Tran Thuong Xuyên with 3,000 soldiers on 50 boats who fled from China to avoid their pursuers of the Qing reign arrived in Vietnam as the refugees in the lunar year Ky Mui (1679). They were allowed by Lord Nguyen to break Dong Pho (Ɖông Phô) ground in order to open up Bien Hoa (Biên Hòa) area and it was possible that Dai Giac (Ɖai Giác) pagoda was built at that time.

This is a very ancient pagoda in Dong Nai province which was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as an artistic and historical vestige by the Decision Nº 993 VH / QƉ dated September 28, 1990.

At first, the pagoda was made of wood and its roof was tiled with thatch. Till the early 18th century, it was rebuilt. It hadn't have the bell tower and the drum tower until 19th century.

In 1820, King Minh Mang and Princess Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh offered a red horizontal board trimmed with gold on which carved three Chinese characters: "Dai Giac Tu" (Dai Giac pagoda); on its left carved the phrase: "Minh Mang Nguyen Nien, Manh Dong Coc Nhat" (the 1st year of Minh Mang reign - A blessed day of the 1st month in winter) and on the right carved the words: "Tien Trieu Hoang Nu De Tam Cong Chua Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh phung cung" (The third princess Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh devotes).

The pagoda was renovated many times (p.121).

2.24 Lady BONG HIEN's tomb (Lady BÓNG HIÊN's tomb) [giving advice to mandarin Vuong Van Lê]

Ms. Medium Hiên's tomb

THIEN TAN VILLAGE - VINH CUU DISTRICT - DONG NAI PROVINCE

It was said that she was from the Western part of South Vietnam, her name was Nguyen Thi Hien (or Pham Thi Hien according to "Bien Hoa Su Luoc"). She settled with her mother in Thien Tan (Thiên Tân) village, Chau Than (Châu Thành) district, former Bien Hoa (Biên Hòa) province. She earned her living by professional medium.

The story about her has been told that during Lord Nguyen period, mandarin Vuong Van Lê was ordered to put down Chau Man rebel force in mountain region. Before having gone to the battle, he wanted to know "what will happen", so he asked for her advice. She answered: "Taking main road when going - Taking pathway when returning". Vuong Van Lê considered to be insulted by her so he ordered to cut off her head. Unfortunately, on the victorious way back, he fell into the rebels' ambush and was killed.

The locals who supposed that she turned out to be awe-inspiringly powerful built a shrine on the left river bank in Thien Tan (Thiên Tân) village to worship her. Nowadays, it remains the bare floor because of war destruction.

Her tomb was on the right side of the road, it was said that this is the very site where she was executed (p.124).

2.25 Royal Recognized Pagoda [Tu An pagoda - red lacquer - a princes in love with Lieu Dat - self burnings]

NO. 23 TAN HOA STREET - DISTRICT 6 - HO CHI MINH CITY

The pagoda was initiated by Bonze Phat Yin in 1752; at that time, the pagoda was located in the Dui Market area.

The pagoda was rebuilt in larger scale in the first year of Gia Long reign (1802) in Hoa Huong village, Binh Duong district, former Gia Dinh province.

After the pagoda was reconstructed, Empress Hieu Khang (whose family name was Truong - King Gia Long's mother) offered the red lacquer. In 1822, King Minh Mang offered the board "Sac Tu Tu Ân Tu" (Royal Recognized Tu Ân pagoda) in Chinese character to the pagoda".

The pagoda was moved to the actual site by the end of the 19th century. Tu Ân Pagoda was related to an anecdote of the obstacle absurd love story between a princess of the Nguyên Dynasty and the pagoda's head monk at that time.

In the lunar year Dinh Dau (Ɖinh Dâu, 1777), the Lord Nguyên dynasty in the Central Vietnam were defeated by the Tây Son and pursued to Gia Dinh (Gia Ɖinh). In the royal family, there was a princess who constantly came to the Pagoda to make offerings; day after day she fell in love with Most Venerable Lieu Dat (Liêu Ɖat), the head of Tu An (Tù Ân) pagoda, because of his virtue [good spirit] and erudition [study]. But he was of one mind for devoting himself to Buddhist truth, so he refused the princess's love, and set himself on fire. The princess with her only love for Most Ven Lieu Dat also followed him to burn herself in the fire.

The two worship tablets of the princess and Most Ven. Lieu Dat were put side by side on the altar in Tu An (Tù Ân) Pagoda (p.126).

2.26 BUU LÂM Pagoda [with carvings]

NO. 162B ANH GIAC STREET - WARD 3 - MY THO CITY - TIEN GIANG PROVINCE

The pagoda was built in 1747 and was entirely renovated in 1803 by Ms. Nguyen Thi Dat who took charge of construction and expenditure. She invited Most Ven. Tien Hien (Tiên Hiên) whose religious name was Tu Lam (Tù Lâm) from the Lam Te (Lâm Tê) sect to head the pagoda.

Up to now, less than 200 years, the pagoda was restored many times but its initial architecture remains unchanged. In the pagoda, there still are 12 horizontal lacquered boards and 14 tablet of parallel couplets kept; all of which are elaborately carved and still maintain other ancient features (p.129).

2.27 BA KET Pagoda (BÀ KÊT Pagoda)

BINH HUNG HAMLET - BINH PHAN VILLAGE - CHO GAO DISTRICT - TIEN GIANG PROVINCE

Ba Ket Pagoda is also called "Long Phan Tu" (Long Phan pagoda) one of the pagodas is listed to be [the] oldest in Tien Giang province.

According to the locals, formerly at Binh Phan village, there was a Cambodian woman who was very good-natured and charitable toward everybody. She helped people who were in difficult situation. To be a devout woman, she had a pagoda built in the region for the worship to ask for the blessing to the people.

Due to the admiration of her virtue and humanity, the villagers named the pagoda after her name.

Also, according to the narration, at the beginning of the pagoda construction, there were innumerable ancient bricks which were agglutinated like a wall to be found under the ground at digging down into the soil, so the building of Ba Ket pagoda was more favorable with those bricks.

Ba Ket pagoda was demolished many times; sometimes it was completely destroyed and remained only the bare floor. But with the thought of the past and the commemoration of the kind hearted woman. The olds and the people in the region spared no pains to contribute together to reconstruction of the pagoda (p.131).

2.28 Lady TRAN THI SANH's Tomb

KIM LIEN HAMLET - LONG HOA VILLAGE - GO CONG TOWN - TIEN GIANG PROVINCE

In the temple of Binh Tay Dai Nguyen Soai Truong Dinh (Bình Tây Ɖai Nguyên Soái Truong Ɖinh; Englisch: French Fighting Chief Marshal Truong Ɖinh) in Go Cong (Gò Công) town, Tien Gian g province, there is an altar department for the worship of Lady Tran Thi Sanh, of Truong Dinh's concubine, who contributed competently to his insurrection against the French colonists. Her tomb is located at Long Hoa village, Go Cong town.

Lady Sanh's mother was the little sister of Grand Duke Pham Dang Hung, the maternal grandfather of King Tu Duc. Before having become Truong Dinh's wife, she had already got married but she was obliged to divorce because she had no son according to the "seven causes of divorce" regulation. She returned home to do business and became nearly richest in Go Cong (Gò Công). Then, she met Truong Dinh and married him when he came to break land here.

During the time when Truong Dinh fought against the French and occupied Tan Hoa district, he used her house as the site for holding meeting to discuss the plan of military operations. Lady Sanh took an active part in spiritual and material supports for Truong Dinh's uprising. When the insurrection failed and Truong Dinh was killed at Gia Thuân in August 1864, his dead body was shown at Gò Công market, she tried her best to get his body and held his funeral solemnly. She had also his tomb and head stone built.

the French colonists made their revenge by obliging her to pay a fine of 10,000 coins (the currency unit under the Nguyên dynasty) and ordering to destroy Truong Dinh's tombstone, because they supposed its content "Dai Nam Lanh An - Ha Lanh Binh Kiem Binh Tay Dai Tuong Quan Truong Cong Huy Dinh chi mo" (
Ɖai Nam Lanh An - Hà Lanh Binh Kiêm Bình Tây Ɖai Tuóng Quân Truong Công Huy Ɖinh chi mô") was contrary to the royal court's order of cease-fighting, at the same time, implied the provocation to the French (p.134).

2.29 HOI THO Pagoda (HÔI THO Pagoda)

THIEN TRI VILLAGE - CAI BE DISTRICT - TIEN GIANG PROVINCE

Hoi Tho Pagoda also has other names such as: Kim Chuong, Pho Quang, Thien Truong.

According to the book "Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi" (Gia
Ɖinh Thành Thông Chí") and "Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi" (Ɖai Nam Nhât Thông Chí") the original name of Hoi Tho pagoda which was situated in the South-West of Gia Dinh rampart, near Lam Te Pagoda (Lâm Tê Pagoda), in the O Ma rampart area in Tan Trien (Tân Triên) hamlet, Bình Duong district, Gia Dinh province was Kim Chuong pagoda.

Hôi Tho Pagoda was one of the oldest pagodas in Gia Dinh, built around 1755, and it received "Royal recognition" from the Nguyên's reign many times.

In 1813, Empress Thua Thiên Cao offered ten thousand coins and ordered the soldiers to help in renovation of Kim Chuong Pagoda; at the same time, she invited many artists to sculpt wooden statues to dedicate to the pagoda.

In 1859, the French attacked Gia Dinh rampart and Kim Chuong Pagoda was harmful. The head monk had the pagoda unroofed and followed the royal army to retreat. When the Thap Muoi insurrection failed, the head monk took the reason that there were many long-lived monks in the pagoda so changed the pagoda's (p.137)

name into Hoi Tho in order to be safe from the enemy's prying eyes.

Before 1945, Hoi Tho was rebuilt to be as great and magnificent as the former Kim Chuong Pagoda. In 1946, the French colonists re-occupied the South. The monks and followers again unroofed the pagoda and withdrew into the guerrilla bases.

So far, Hoi Tho Pagoda has still kept the set of wooden statues, which represent the illustrative arts of the early 19th century, offered by Empress Thua Thiên Cao in the first renovation (p.138).

2.30 Lady LE THI MAN's tomb (Lady LÊ THI MÂN's tomb)

HAMLET 1 - MO CAY TOWNLET - BEN TRE PROVINCE

In the cemetery of Bui Quang clan at Mo Cay townlet, Ben Tre province which is mentioned in the book "Dia Chi Ben Tre" (Ɖia Chí Bên Tre"), there is the tomb of Lady Le Thi Man who brought up her three children to graduate as bachelor; in addition, she had the merit in helping the people and the country, so was granted a gold lettering board in Chinese characters "Hao Nghia Kha Phong" by King Tu Duc (Ɖúc) in 1860.

Lady Le Thi Man was an inhabitant of former Da Phuoc Hoi village, today is Hamlet 1, mo Cay townlet. She was the third wife of Huong Su (village Headmaster) Bui Van Lieu (a student of Vo Truong Toan, a famous teacher of Gia Dinh land).

Her husband died when she was 36 years old. She lived a widow life to worship her husband and brought up her three sons to come to successful end. Mr. Bui Quang Nghi who graduated as bachelor in 1842 did not go to work as a mandarin; he asked the King's permission to stay [at] home for taking care of his mother. Mr. Bui Van Phong having graduated as bachelor in 1837, was appointed as a judge in Nam Dinh (Nam Ɖinh), then Vinh Long province. Mr. Bui Huu Thanh (Bùi Huu Thành) who graduated as bachelor in 1831 was nominated as the county Chief of Phuoc Tuy; then the Principal in Biên Hòa and afterwards, the district chief of Long Thành.

Lady Lê Thi Mân was known to be so human but very strict with her children. When having worked as a mandarin, once on the occasion of Têt, Mr. Phong was presented tea and nice silk, he sent them to offer to his mother. She burned all silk to ashes and sent the letter to give him a reminder of loyalty and integrity for leaving his good name to posterity. As a mandarin, whenever he came back to visit his mother, he was given a lavish reception by the local authority, she was not pleased and said: "I am too old to hear the sounds of drum and gong".

She constantly helped the poor. In the years of bad harvest; she gave money and rice to destitute persons (p.140).

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