Doctoral Vo Khac Trien and the document at Thap Thap Di Da temple (Binh Dinh Province)

Abstract

Di Da Thap Thap Temple (in Binh Dinh province) was first founded by Nguyên Thiều monk. Within the temple compound, a document was recently discovered, containing an essay about the temple written by doctoral-degree holder Vo Khac Trien. Among existing literature, there was no mention of this document which the author of this article finds fascinating. As a result, this paper translates and introduces the document to the reader. This essay written by Vo Khac Trieu was unique, cleverly using all kinds of classic stories, depicting an overview of the 350-year-old famous temple. It contains a history of the temple, information about the site’s founding monks, and knowledge about the structure of the worshipping altar a hundred years ago. In addition, the essay mentions many religious artefacts that are today preserved and maintained. This description is extremely important for the understanding of the temple’s history and religious practice nearly a century ago. What is more, the essay also contains information on the exchanges between Vo Khac Trien and Monk Phuoc Hue. It reveals part of social, religious and intellectual life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.