Tracing the ancient footsteps…
The Temple of Literature (文廟)’s full name is Van Tuyen Vuong Temple (文宣王廟) and called Temple of Confucius (孔廟) or Temple of Confucius (夫子廟) is a temple dedicated to Confucius in Asian countries.
In our country, when King Gia Long ascended the throne, he built Quoc Tu Giam. in Hue (previously there was a Temple of Literature in Thang Long built during the Ly Dynasty) and at the same time issued orders for towns to be allowed to establish Temples of Literature to show respect for Confucianism. Son Tay Temple of Literature is the Temple of Literature of Tran Tay – one of the four temples of the four towns of Thang Long.
Elderly people recount: During the Nguyen Dynasty, Son Tay Temple of Literature was located in Cam Thinh. By the 7th lunar month of the Dinh Mui year, the 7th Thieu Tri year (1847), the Temple of Literature of Son Tay province was moved to Mong Phu village, belonging to Cam Gia Thinh canton. In the 3rd year of Thanh Thai, the governor of Son Tay, Long Cuong Cao Xuan Duc, had it restored and at the same time compiled the names of the admirals and engraved them on the stone stele.
According to some documents, Van Mieu Son Tay, after a number of renovations, was inaugurated in 1892 (during the reign of King Thanh Thai), located on a rectangular plot of land in Van Mieu village – Duong Lam commune today. The ancient Temple of Literature was formed with many construction items such as: three-entrance gate, lake, bell tower, grand court, main hall, left and right, courtyard, wall system, green tree and fruit tree system. In the Temple of Literature, there are still 2 steles engraved with the names of 288 people who passed the academic examination of the Doai region.
Restoring Son Tay Temple of Literature
Since 1947 – In 1954, due to war destruction, this relic no longer existed. Before 2011, on the ruins, the government built a 7-storey facility to process animal feed. In 2012, the Hanoi city government relocated this animal feed processing facility to restore the Son Tay Temple of Literature.
Over time, many items and structures in the monument have been destroyed. Degradation and deformation. The artifacts were also lost. Currently, there is only one stone coffin that was sent back to Mong Phu Communal House. By 2008, with the help of relevant branches and levels as well as the support of the people, Son Tay Temple of Literature was recognized as a cultural and historical relic. At the same time, the project to renovate and restore the Temple of Literature relics was also approved for investment by the State.
Forever preserving the culture of Doai</p >
Coming to the Son Tay Temple of Literature today, visitors are very happy to see a number of items such as: Temple of Literature, Bell Tower, Opening Hall, Great Hall of the Left and Right Dynasty, Holy revelation, pillars and courtyards… has been restored almost to its original state. The green tree lighting system is also gradually being completed. In the past few years, every spring, Son Tay Town has launched a Tree Planting Festival at Son Tay Temple of Literature, helping to make this landscape even greener, cleaner and more beautiful, attracting tourists from near and far.
The priest is taking care of it. Van Mieu said: Restore the historical relic site with the goal of becoming a place to organize and organize local community cultural events, thereby educating the tradition of learning and pride. nation for present and future generations. He introduced us to the functional areas of the relic, including: Temple of Literature Area (Located in the center of the relic with the North-South Shinto axis, facing South, including the Four-Pillared Lotus Pond area. Managing and welcoming Ceremony Composer of the Temple of Literature, Bell Lau Khanh Ta Vu Huu Vu, Upper Hall and Great Hall of Khai Thanh Temple, Side Gate of the Festival Ground); Next to it is the Calligraphy Club area; Study promotion area; Statue garden; Green landscape area…
Son Tay Temple of Literature, in addition to the function of worshiping Confucian gods, is also a place to train talents and save the names of talented men whose reputations have made them famous. homeland. This relic is a place that exemplifies the tradition of studious academics – a symbol of the Confucian tradition, contributing to beautifying the historical and cultural traditions in the Doai region. Before taking the exam, candidates often come to burn incense and ask for blessings for their wishes to succeed. Students at all levels in the region still come here for study tours to understand more about the studious tradition of their homeland. In recent years, on the full moon day of the first lunar month, members of the Xu Doai Poetry Club have come here to comment and sing poetry very happily.
Hopefully, after the restoration, the Son Tay Temple of Literature will be completed. Son Tay Ancient Temple and Citadel, Duong Lam Grass Village, Men Temple… will be spiritual tourist destinations of the poetic Doai land, attracting visitors from near and far every time they visit the ancient Hamlet of the Two Kings.
Diem Nguyet
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