Yen Tu, a place with a unique Zen sect in the middle of a sacred forest

Yen Tu is located in the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac complex which was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage on July 12.

After leading the army and people to defeat the Yuan-Mongol army twice, Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (1258 - 1308) left the throne to go to Yen Tu to establish the unique Vietnamese Truc Lam Zen sect. This Zen sect is a harmonious combination of Zen and worldly thought (actively participating in social issues but still maintaining the unique identity of Vietnamese Buddhism).

Sunset on Yen Tu peak - Sketch by Ngo Quoc Thuan, student of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City

A corner of Yen Tu - Sketch by Architect Phung The Huy

On Yen Tu, there are 3 types of pine trees: green wood, white wood and red wood. Of these, more than 200 trees are over 700 years old. According to scientists , the red pine trees are arranged in straight rows and grow in special locations (most obvious in the Tung road area). This shows that this ancient red pine forest could have been planted by ancient people (not growing naturally), when the Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong practiced here.

One-Roof Pagoda with unique half-roof architecture - Sketch by artist Dang Viet Loc

At the foot of Yen Tu mountain - Sketch by artist Tran Binh Minh

Hue Quang Golden Tower (commonly known as To Tower), Yen Tu, worships the relics of Buddha King Tran Nhan Tong - Sketch by artist Tran Binh Minh

In addition, Yen Tu has many interesting things. On the top of the mountain, there is the Bronze Pagoda (cast from a single block of bronze). The One-Roof Pagoda with its unique half-roofed architecture (the other half leans against the cliff). The ancient tower garden (preserving the relics of the Zen masters of the Truc Lam sect) and the Hue Quang tower (preserving the relics of King Tran Nhan Tong). The sacred Giai Oan Stream is associated with the legend of the palace maids who jumped to their deaths to show their loyalty to the king...

Sketch by Nguyen Tung, student of Nguyen Tat Thanh University

Winter on Yen Tu - Sketch by Architect Phung The Huy

Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery - Sketch by Architect Phan Dinh Trung

Statue of Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong - Sketch by Architect Phan Dinh Trung

The area at the foot of Yen Tu mountain is home to many resorts, cultural centers and villages imbued with Vietnamese traditions.

Dong Pagoda cast from a single block of bronze on the top of Yen Tu - Sketch by Architect Phan Dinh Trung

Folding hands, offering sacrifices on the clouds - Sketch by Architect Tran Xuan Hong

Bronze Pagoda on Yen Tu peak - Sketch by Architect Bui Hoang Bao

Tay Yen Tu - Sketch by designer Le Quang Khanh

Yen Tu is also a famous pilgrimage site. From January 10th every year until the end of spring, millions of tourists from all over the world flock here to pray for peace and health.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/yen-tu-noi-co-thien-phai-doc-dao-giua-rung-thieng-185250719195641348.htm