Am Tien Cave

Am Tien Cave

Am Tien pagoda and cave are located in the Ngu Phong Son mountain range, southeast of the Hoa Lu ancient capital relic site, in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. This is a cluster of relics containing many values ​​​​of unique architectural landscape, history, culture, and beliefs. In 1998, the relic was ranked by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a national historical and cultural relic. Am Tien pagoda and cave, in addition to worshiping Buddha, also worship Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong, who was instrumental in repairing the cave and building the pagoda. Not only was he proficient in Dharma, he was also skilled in medicine. Because of his great merit in treating King Ly Than Tong, he was awarded the title of National Teacher - the top monk of Buddhism during the Ly dynasty. According to local legend and documents preserved at the site, in the 10th century, this cave was originally a stone prison, where King Dinh Tien Hoang kept tigers and leopards to punish those who committed serious crimes. Later, the cave was no longer used as a prison, but it is said that the evil souls of the dead still remain in the cave. Local people passing by here often hear the sounds of ghosts crying, tigers screaming, and leopards roaring. No one dares to come close to the cave. During the Ly Dynasty, National Master Nguyen Minh Khong came here and used the cave as a pagoda. He recited sutras and preached Dharma every day to stop the demons from howling and harming innocent people. According to the epitaph "Dai Chu Ma Son Ang Dai Quang Thanh lava tragedy". The 4th Chinh Long Bao Ung date (year 1166) engraved on the cave door wall says: This cave is called Dai Quang Thanh cave, located on the large mountain Chu Ma Son Ang. According to the epitaph "Tien Am Tu Bi Tien Am Thach Lo Chi". compiled by Phan Dinh Hoa's Tuan Phu in the 7th Bao Dai era (1932), currently kept at the relic, says: "Since Dai Quang Thanh took refuge in this cave, the cave was later used as a pagoda. Relying on the Buddha and Saints, the prison turned into a wonder park, and the cave turned into a pagoda from there. The 32nd reign of Tu Duc (1879) was recently revised. Association leaders around the area always pay attention to making the pagoda more beautiful and the Tap Phuc association named the pagoda Am Tien. Am Tien pagoda and cave are located halfway up the mountain, facing southwest, in front is a large meandering lake, surrounded by rolling limestone mountains. Epitaph "Tien Am Tu Biography". The 2nd Dong Khanh era (1887) said that when you want to enter the cave, you have to climb over a "mountain about 8.9 meters high... in the village there is a field estimated at more than 10 acres that can be planted with rice, and on both sides of the mountain there are beautiful scenery." wild, animals, birds and animals contrast, so it is called Co Am. The mountain forms a wall surrounding the hermitage, and there are caves in the rocky mountain. From below, follow the edge up to the cave." This epitaph also adds. "I don't know when the temple was built. In the 32nd year of King Tu Duc's reign (1879), the pagoda was desolate and gloomy, so the village agreed to repair it. The rotten things were carefully sealed, repainted the statue of Dai Quang Thanh, repainted the statue of national dharma Zen master Nguyen Minh Khong on the right side, and the Buddha statue could not be repainted. By the reign of King Ham Nghi, all the decorations were completed." Am Tien Pagoda and Cave still preserve valuable relics. On the cliff on the right side of the cave, there is a ghost stele "Dai Chu Ma Son Ang Dai Quang Thanh lava bi". (Meaning: stele engraved on the wall of Dai Quang Thanh cave on the large Chu Ma Son Ang mountain). The stele is dated Chinh Long Bao Ung's 4th year (1166). On the left side of the cave are three steles, including two stone steles of the Nguyen Dynasty dating from the 2nd Dong Khanh (1887), the 7th Bao Dai (1932) and one without words. The content of the two steles talks about the history of the pagoda's name and the process of repairing the pagoda. The cliff to the left of the cave entrance has a small bell hanging. In addition to the beauty of architectural landscape space, Am Tien pagoda and cave also preserve many valuable relics and antiques. This is a valuable historical source in learning and researching about the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, about the Dai Co Viet state, about historical events and characters. Source: Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province

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