Phi Trach Temple (Quan Ong Temple)

• Worshipped figures: The temple worships a true cultivator, the 4th-generation Patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen sect, whose honorific title is "Truc Lam Great Ascetic, unable to complete the three refuges, also masters the great national spirit dharma".

• Divine legend & history: The Truc Lam Zen sect was founded by King Tran Nhan Tong (Huong Van Dai Dau Da) at Yen Tu; it is the only purely Vietnamese Buddhist sect originating from patriotism and the spirit of national independence and autonomy. The temple's divine legend records that this true cultivator was originally a disciple of the third patriarch, Zen Master Huyen Quang (Ly Dao Tai). He traveled to Phi Trach land and stayed at the house of Mr. Nguyen Vinh Cong to spread the religion and lead a simple life.

• In one year, when the people of Phi Trach were in panic because an epidemic was raging, the monk established an altar for rituals and helped eliminate the disaster, bringing peace to the people. To remember his grace of salvation, local people built a temple to worship him right on the sacred plot of land.

The temple is located on a high, dry mound with an isolated "dragon's head" position in the middle of the northern field of the village, with a large lake in front and many trees providing solemn shade. The temple was founded around the 14th century and underwent a major restoration in 1995. The layout consists of 3 main single buildings:

• Dai Bai Hall: It was built later to expand the ceremonial space. Dai Bai has 3 bays and a very unique architecture with two soaring side roofs and a ridge running along the central path, forming a relief-decorated ancient roof section with the motif "Two dragons flanking the moon". The house frame is made entirely of four-iron wood using the "stacked beam with secondary braces" truss structure, smoothly planed and fitted in balanced proportions.

• Trung Cung Hall: It was built early; the surrounding walls are made of high-temperature-fired ancient green bricks and are built tightly without plastering lime mortar on the outside (similar to the construction style at Tay Phuong Pagoda). The lim-wood trusses are magnificently lacquered red. The highest sculptural value is concentrated in the relief-carved corbels with the motif "Single dragon" from the Later Le period (18th century), which have been preserved through restorations.

• Hau Cung Hall: It is connected lengthwise with Trung Cung to form a closed Dinh-character ($J$) structure. Its three walls are also built of bare green bricks without plaster. In the middle of Hau Cung is an altar and an ancient Le-period long throne and spirit tablet, solemnly lacquered and gilded.

Phi Trach Temple preserves a rich system of ritual antiquities associated with the history of the Truc Lam sect:

• Ancient documents: 01 Han-character divine genealogy document along with a system of 31 imperial edicts through feudal dynasties.

• Wooden objects and worship items: 01 Le-period long throne and spirit tablet, brilliantly lacquered and gilded (the tablet frame is 1.8m high and 50cm wide with protective glass) inscribed with the line “Truc Lam Dai Dau Dai Tam Quy Kiem Thuy Phap Than Vi”. In addition, there is 01 ancient horizontal plaque bearing four characters "Van Co Anh Linh", 03 pairs of lacquered mother-of-pearl inlaid couplets, 02 lacquered wooden offering trays, 02 wooden stands, 04 wooden candles, 02 flower vases, 01 ceremonial hat, 01 set of ceremonial robes and a pair of cloth ceremonial boots.

• Other artifacts: 01 large drum, 02 worship swords, 02 ancient brown-glazed ceramic incense bowls of the Tho Ha ceramic line.

• Time: Every year, local people organize offerings and hold the temple festival on the 12th day of the 12th lunar month (the day the temple was established), the early days of the 2nd lunar month, and especially on the 13th day of the 2nd lunar month (the monk's death anniversary).

• Regulations on offerings: Because the presiding deity is an accomplished monk of the Truc Lam sect, local people absolutely make only vegetarian offerings (incense, flowers, glutinous rice cakes and fruit, tea and wine); it is strictly forbidden to prepare meat offerings or slaughter animals for worship at the temple.

• Seasonal rites: The temple still maintains worship ceremonies on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month (soc, vong), the Thuong dien and Ha dien ceremonies associated with agricultural production seasons, and traditional festivals (Doan Ngo, Trung Nguyen, Trung Thu, Trung Thap).

• According to the zoning record dated 12/05/2000, the relic site has strictly defined boundaries for Protection Area I (The inviolable zone):

  • Scope: Located entirely on plot No. 87, cadastral map sheet No. 01 (drawn in 1985 by Phuong Tu commune) with a total area of 5,106 m².

  • Adjacent boundaries: To the east, it borders plots No. 98 and No. 99 and the village road; to the west, the village road; to the south, the village road; to the north, plots No. 400 and No. 86.

• All construction, excavation, and unauthorized encroachment that alters or diminishes the value of the original architectural components and artifacts inside the red boundary of the temple are strictly prohibited. All plans for landscaping the surrounding area (Zone II) must comply with the Ordinance on the Protection of Historical Relics and be approved by competent authorities.