Bong Lai Co Linh Tu - The miracle of Co Doi Thuong Ngan

Co Doi Thuong Ngan is a character in Vietnamese Mother Goddess Religion. Let's explore the legend of Co Doi Thuong Ngan in Vietnam with iGuide.ai!

1. Introduction to Co Doi Thuong Ngan

Worshiped in many temples and shrines in the North and appearing in many famous folk songs. Called Co Doi Thuong Ngan because she ranks second in the system of twelve fairies of the Mother Goddess religion. In the Mother Goddess religion, she is the one who has the merit of saving all people, teaching ethnic people the language to communicate with each other. Her reputation is famous in all four directions, many places have temples to worship her. The most famous are the two temples in Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh associated with the legend of Co Giang Sinh and the temple in Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh with the legend of Co Hoa. That is, the place of birth, and the place of farewell to the temporary world. Before coming to earth, according to legend, Co Doi Thuong Ngan was the daughter of De Thich - a king of the Heavenly Palace, with the name Son Tinh princess. When she was in heaven, she was a servant to the Queen Mother in the jade palace.

2. The myth of Co Doi Thuong Ngan

Back to the story of the lower world, in Nho Quan prefecture at that time, there was a Muong mandarin named Ha. He was a virtuous man, his good heart was famous far and wide because he always helped the poor. Although he lived a virtuous life, he and his wife were in their fifties but had not yet had a child. Not giving up, he and his wife set up an altar, praying to the heavens for their wish to be granted. That prayer moved the Jade Emperor. He sent Princess Son Tinh down to earth, reincarnated as the child of the mandarin couple Ha, as a reward for their integrity, virtue, and kind heart.

Receiving the heavenly blessing, twelve months later, the wife of the Ha mandarin became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. When the daughter was born, birds came to the front of the house and sang endlessly as if rejoicing that a fairy had been born into the mortal world. When the daughter was four years old, the Ha mandarin's family moved to Muong Thanh to take up their post. Muong Thanh at that time was a mountainous area with a lack of water for daily use. At the foot of Dau Rong Mountain, there was a magical stream with water that flowed continuously and was cool all year round. The villagers often went to the stream to fetch water for use, and the daughter often went to fetch water to help her parents.

3. The Fairy of the Upper Realm

Time flew by, and she had turned 12. At that age, she was extremely beautiful, with white skin, silky hair, a round face, and a slim figure. One day, while she was carrying water, she saw a sick, dirty, hungry old woman lying at the foot of a banyan tree at the foot of Dragon Mountain. The old woman was in pain and groaning, but no one was willing to help her. She immediately felt pity, knelt down, helped the old woman sit up, and gave her water. Suddenly, from somewhere, dark clouds gathered, the sky and earth darkened, and the wind and dust rumbled endlessly. The poor, ragged, sickly old woman suddenly appeared as the Goddess of the Upper Realm, calling herself Cao Son Thanh Nang (ie Lady of the Upper Realm Dieu Tin Zen Master Chua Muong), in charge of the mountainous regions, and said to her: "I am the Mother of the Upper Realm, seeing that you are a kind and virtuous person with compassion for all living beings. In your previous life, you were a fairy, obeying the Jade Emperor's orders and descending to earth to repay your parents' kindness. Now I have helped you become a fairy, return to serve me, learn magic and help save the human world." Having said that, the Mother took out a stick carved with a dragon's head on it and gave it to her. She took the stick and returned home, and four days later she passed away.

4. The life and power of Co Doi Thuong Ngan

After she returned to the Mother Goddess of the Upper Realm, she diligently learned magic to save the people. She often traveled throughout the mountainous regions, sometimes appearing to teach the ethnic people their language so they could communicate with each other. Sometimes, when she had free time, she often returned to the mountains of her hometown Ninh Binh. There, she and her fairy friends sang, recited poetry, and enjoyed the scenery on the slope of Suon Bo.

It is said that she was good at poetry and literature, so many scholars admired and respected her. Co Doi Thuong Ngan was also the one who managed the treasure of the mountains and forests. People who sincerely worshiped her would also be granted wealth. However, those who were impolite and did not pay their debts would be scolded by her and forced to pay more heavily. Throughout the eighteen gates of the forest, her reputation spread far and wide. Many people knew, respected and worshiped her. During the memorial ceremony, people often wore blue shirts, black pants, and headscarves with flower-adorned ribbons to witness the ceremony.

5. The mythical land of Co Doi Thuong Ngan

There is a poem that says: "No river or mountain must be high or deep, If there is a dragon or fairy, then everywhere is divine." Thuong Bong Lai Co Linh Tu refers to two temples including Thuong Bong Lai Co Linh Tu (Bong Lai Nho Quan temple) and Thuong Bong Lai Cao Phong temple (Bong Lai Cao Phong Hoa Binh temple). Although it is a remote mountainous area, it is the place where Co Doi Thuong Ngan was born and reincarnated, so to commemorate her merits, people built Bong Lai temple in Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh to worship the place where she was born into the mortal world. In Muong Thang (Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh today), people built a temple to worship her in Thien Thai cave, at the foot of Dau Rong mountain. That is where she had the chance to meet the Holy Mother of Thuong Ngan and also where she reincarnated.

5.1. Bong Lai Nho Quan Temple

The first Bong Lai Temple is located in Bong Lai village, Van Phuong commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh. This place is associated with the story of the birth of the Lady. The temple here has the ancient name of Thuong Bong Lai Co Linh Tu Temple. Bong Lai Temple was built during the Tran Dynasty, going through many ups and downs of time. In the past, Bong Lai Temple was small but spacious. After liberation, under the influence of the anti-superstition movement at that time, the temple was demolished. The only ruins left were an incense burner and a royal decree of King Khai Dinh. Other sacrificial objects were burned or lost. The people secretly built a small temple to continue to worship Co Doi Thuong Ngan. Once again, it seemed that fate had not come, the temple was demolished again. It was not until 2006 that Bong Lai villagers invited people to preside over the restoration, and the temple was restored to its current state. In 2015, the Tam Quan gate was built.

5.2. Cao Phong Upper Penglai Temple

The ancient land of Muong Thang was also considered a place rich in geomancy. For many generations, the Muong people have passed down the saying "Nhat Bi, nhi Vang, tam Thang, tu Dong". This saying refers to the four ancient Muong regions of Hung Hoa. Muong Bi is now Tan Lac district, Muong Vang is now Lac Son district, Muong Thang is now Cao Phong district, Muong Dong is now Kim Boi district. The Muong Thang region in the legend is where Co Doi Thuong Ngan followed her parents to live when she was the daughter of a mandarin named Ha. As one of the four largest and most prosperous Muong regions in Hoa Binh, this place also has a sacred temple worshiping Co Doi Thuong Ngan.

Thuong Bong Lai Temple is located at the foot of Dau Rong Mountain, in Cao Phong Town, Hoa Binh. The temple was built quite early, in 1890, and was renovated in 2013. Covering a large area of about 5,000 square meters, under the mountains and forests of the Northwest, Bong Lai Temple is truly a paradise, meeting the religious needs of many visitors from all over the world. This place also preserves some valuable antiques such as two royal decrees and an ancient bell from the reign of King Thanh Thai (1889 - 1907). Leaning on the mountain and facing the water, the space is fresh and cool like a paradise, making this place full of magical and mysterious energy. Located in the scenic complex at Dau Rong Mountain, Bong Lai Temple has strongly promoted its value as a spiritual space for those who come to offer incense and worship Co Doi Thuong Ngan. If the ancient Nho Quan land was the place where Co Doi Thuong Ngan descended to earth, then the ancient Muong Thang area was the place where she met Ba Chua Thuong Ngan, and also the place where she transformed.

6. Legends and mysterious events at Bong Lai temple

There are many folk mysteries, and through "oral tradition" many strange details have been added. However, the mysterious spiritual stories at this Bong Lai temple all originate from folk tales, passed down by word of mouth for many generations. All the locals know about them. The following story stands out among them.

In the 60s of the 20th century, after the temple was destroyed, there was a large family. The family had 11 children, only the youngest son was a boy. Many people may not know that in many rural areas, elm trees are often planted in front of temples and shrines. People believe that this is where the Snake God lives. The youngest son accidentally cut down an ancient elm tree behind the temple to use as firewood. But before he could bring the firewood home, the boy fell ill with a stroke, when he was 4 years old. His family rushed to take him to the hospital, but it was too late. Later, his family often went to the temple to worship the Lady as a belated repentance. It is not known whether it was the Lady's punishment or a coincidence, but the parents of the son who died at the age of 90 were still healthy. The remaining children did well. People told each other that if you make a mistake, the Lady will scold you, but if you know how to change your mind, the Lady will love you.

According to the elders, when the temple was demolished, many people immediately came to take bricks and tiles home to use, and were then scolded by the "Miss". Anyone who took things from the temple, if their family was not in discord, would have someone who got sick or had a disaster... Then there was the story of the temple - built with cogon grass for temporary worship when the temple was demolished. Some people came to burn it but it couldn't burn, even though cogon grass is so flammable. Later, because of expanding the farming land, the cooperative brought a car to bulldoze the temple, but when it got close, the engine would stall, and in the end they had to give up. Of course, whether it was right or wrong depends on people's mouths and folklore. Some people say it was a coincidence, others believe that the Miss prevented it. But no matter what, there is still an undeniable truth, which is that the temple has not been demolished despite many ups and downs and changes.

Later, the temple was renovated by the villagers, and at the same time, a virtuous monk was invited to be the head of the incense altar, taking care of the worship. At that time, there was a fierce argument among the villagers, because the invited head of the incense altar was not a local. Many people stood up to strongly protest, including an old man. That night, after returning from the village meeting, the villagers said that he went to the garden and accidentally put his foot on an electric wire to trap a mouse, got electrocuted, and died suddenly. This could also be just a coincidence, but those who believe in the sacredness of Co Doi Thuong Ngan have a different opinion. Thuong Bong Lai Co Linh Tu, although small, is sacred, not flashy and magnificent, but cozy and full of pure spiritual energy. The temple is located next to a vast field, leaning against a series of mountains. This place was considered a sacred place by Ta Oai - a famous feng shui master. Together with 3 other temples and pagodas in the area, it forms Hoa Lu Tu Tran - protecting the sacred land of the ancient capital.

7. Thuong Bong Lai Temple and its spiritual value

Joining the flow of people returning here to worship Co Doi Thuong Ngan, visitors not only live in a pure, sacred space but also feel the beauty that nature has bestowed upon this ancient land of Muong Thang. The steep rocky slopes lead to caves filled with sparkling stalactites. Along with Hoa Son Thach, Khong Day Cave,... located at the foot of Dau Rong Mountain, truly make visitors be amazed and unable to forget the beauty of the Cao Phong spiritual mountains and forests. One place of birth, one place of reincarnation - both places are paradises, so that those who come and those who stay engrave in themselves colorful spiritual legends about Co Doi Thuong Ngan, the benevolent fairy who always reaches out to help people.

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