Ceremonies mark 710 years since King-Monk’s Nirvana attainment hinh anh 1The ceremony marking 710 years since King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong's Nirvana attainment in Quang Ninh province on December 7 (Photo: VNA)

Quang Ninh (VNA) – A grand ceremony was held at Truc Lam Palace, part of the Yen Tu landscape relic site in Uong Bi city of northern Quang Ninh province, on December 7 to mark 710 years since the Nirvana attainment of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong.

Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), born Tran Kham, was the third king of the Tran Dynasty. He ascended to the throne when he was 21. He was famed for defeating Yuan-Mongol invaders twice as well as developing the national economy and culture during his 15-year reign.

The king abdicated when he was 35 and spent the rest of his life on Yen Tu Mountain, located in what is now Quang Ninh province, practicing and propagating Buddhism. He founded the Truc Lam sect of Zen Buddhism here.

At the commemoration, held by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee, officials and thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers reviewed the career of and honoured the great merit of Tran Nhan Tong.

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said the ceremony was an occasion to express respect and admiration for the genius and clear-sighted king, whose ideological values will continue to be upheld in the new era and remain an inspiration for patriotism.

The same day, a similar event took place at Viet Nam Quoc Tu Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the 710th anniversary of Tran Nhan Tong’s Nirvana attainment.

To pay tribute to the King-Monk, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee also organised a number of activities in many localities nationwide. –VNA
VNA