Introducing Historical Materials on General Đỗ Cảnh Thạc

Abstract

Quán Tam Xã, also known as the Temple of Quán Tam Xã, is a shrine dedicated to General Đỗ Cảnh Thạc, honored as the village’s tutelary deity. In the past, it belonged to three hamlets (which were also three communes): Đa Phúc, Thụy Khê, and Sài Khê, in An Sơn district; today, it is located in Sài Khê hamlet, Sài Sơn commune, Quốc Oai district, Hà Nội. Sài Sơn is also famed for its picturesque natural beauty-“majestic mountains and poetic waters” - featuring Thầy Mountain with its sacred Cắc Cớ-Thánh Hoá Cave and the renowned Thầy Pagoda, built during the Lý Dynasty in the 11th century, associated with the Zen Master Từ Đạo Hạnh. Next to Thầy Pagoda is the Thủy Đình Pavilion, a unique architectural structure standing on the Long Trì Pond. Nearby is Long Đẩu Pagoda, adding to the area's stunning scenic landscape. The annual Thầy Pagoda Festival attracts young men and women from across the region, offering opportunities for festive
gatherings and courtship. From our field survey at Quán Tam Xã in Sài Sơn commune, Quốc Oai district, we discovered numerous valuable textual materials related to General Đỗ Cảnh Thạc. These include: the Thần phả (holy genealogy) of the village deity (with a Vietnamese translation); biographical steles; royal edicts of conferment (Sắc phong) in Sino-Nôm and translated versions; and a declaration of the deity's lineage and sacred titles from Sài Khê village, Lật Sài canton, Quốc Oai district, Sơn Tây province (in Vietnamese). This article aims to introduce these valuable sources to provide further insight into General Đỗ Cảnh Thạc-a figure who served loyally under three monarchs of the Ngô Dynasty, protected the nation and its people, and has long been venerated by the local community. Below, we present the aforementioned materials.