HAN-VIET TRANSLITERATION
DEITY LEGEND ROYAL EDICTS
HA DONG PROVINCE, CHUONG MY DISTRICT
SON QUYET CANTON, TIEN AN COMMUNE DEITY LEGEND
GENEALOGICAL RECORD OF TWO GREAT KINGS OF THE DINH TIEN HOANG DYNASTY AND ONE GREAT KING OF GRACE AND PROTECTION
(Can Branch, Middle Grade)
According to the legend, Hung Vuong, the sacred ancestor of the mountains, received the mandate and the auspicious chart for more than two thousand years. Hung Vuong founded the country; with ten thousand miles of green mountains, he established the foundation of the capital and palaces. A clear expanse of blue water opened the way for sage kings and enlightened rulers. He united fifteen tribes and became the founding ancestor of the Hundred Viet. There is a poem that says:
In the beginning, Nam Viet began with Kinh Duong,
Unifying rivers and mountains, eighteen kings.
Our country has been passed down through ages and remains for a thousand ages,
For ten thousand years incense and worship, for ten thousand years renown.
It is further said that when the Hung dynasty declined and Heaven's will announced its end, through the Eastern Han, Wu, Jin, Song, Qi, Liang, and Tang dynasties more than 1,600 years passed, until the Southern country had Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang. Among the people of Hoa Lu cave was a man surnamed Dang, taboo name Huong. His ancestors had received titles and generation after generation inherited favors; he married a woman of the same cave, Ta Thi, taboo name Can, who transmitted family rites and produced generations of officials, a so-called predestined match. The husband was skilled in medicine, practiced good deeds, and loved helping others. He was nearly sixty, while Ta was just over ten, and they still had no son. The couple went out day and night to pray. That night Ta went out; at the end of the third watch she suddenly saw two stars enter the room, their light shining straight, and descend into her body. Ta became pregnant. After a while she woke and told her husband in a dream. He secretly thought there must be an auspicious sign. The next day he prepared offerings and returned home. From then on Ta was pregnant. In the year of Giap Ngo, on the sixth day of the third month, she gave birth to twin boys, with extraordinary appearance and innate intelligence. At three they knew rites and righteousness and could be respectful and yielding; when they heard sounds they could examine them. At seven they entered school. At thirteen they were literate and also knew martial arts; their appearance was grand, their wisdom and bearing beyond compare, difficult to regard as elder or younger. The father named one Dong Thinh and the second Chieu Phap. Scholars of the time admired them and called them divine boys. When the two were eighteen, both parents died. The two performed funeral rites and buried them. At home they worshipped according to rites. After the three-year mourning, the two said to each other: We brothers are originally of a pure Confucian family; we should seek a way of teaching to secure our whole lives. So they went to Son Tay road, Quoc Oai prefecture, Ninh Son district, later Yen Son, Dang An village, later Tien An, and lived there. Day and night they practiced literature and taught scholars for several months. The village saw them to be extraordinary and invited them as teachers for several years. The two also saw that the villagers had a virtuous heart and could be lived with for long. They observed the terrain, with beautiful mountains and rivers, dragon and tiger in harmony, the finest scenic place. They had the village build a school for them to live in. Scholars from all under heaven, hearing that the two had heavenly talent, came to request to be disciples. In three or four years they had several hundred disciples. At that time Dinh Tien Hoang had twelve warlords each occupying territory, oppressing the people, and none could resist. Dinh Tien Hoang was very worried; he raised five hundred soldiers from Hoa Lu cave, summoned thirty thousand troops from the provinces, and sent envoys to proclaim throughout the country: whoever has both civil and military abilities, extraordinary wisdom and bearing, and can defeat the Ngo bandits, will have his name reported to Us and be granted official rank and title. The two heard this and summoned their disciples and the villagers, saying: Now the great bandits of the Ngo cannot be removed. We brothers volunteer to suppress the bandits for the country. So the two slaughtered oxen and offered to Heaven, Earth, mountains, rivers, and the hundred gods, feasted the village elders and people and all their disciples and soldiers, totaling one thousand men. On the same day they led the troops straight to Tien Hoang's capital to receive orders. Tien Hoang accepted the two in response to the selection, saw their complete civil and military abilities and majestic bearing, and found none equal. He then appointed the two as Commanders. He feasted the soldiers according to military regulations and restored court ceremonies. He ordered the two to suppress the bandits. The two bowed in thanks and received the order. On the same day they advanced; within three days they went straight to Thang Long Ung Thien prefecture, Thanh Oai district, Boi Khe Tu Bao Da village, Su Quan citadel, and fought the Ngo army. They fought one battle and by evening victory was undecided. The two withdrew troops to camp for defense; the next day they fought again. That night at the third watch, after wine, lying on the bed, suddenly in a dream they saw a god in neat attire standing by the bed, saying: I am the local City God of Dang An village. I heard that you have received orders to suppress the Ngo bandits; the first battle was undecided; tomorrow you will fight again. I volunteer to give secret support and defeat the Ngo bandits, and afterwards be worshipped together. Having spoken, he suddenly vanished. The two woke and said to each other: This must be the god helping us brothers.
At dawn the two commanders led troops into battle. By noon the Ngo army was utterly defeated, and thousands of officers and soldiers were beheaded. Blood flowed like a river and corpses piled like mountains. From then on the Ngo bandits fled, and no one knew where they went. The world was at peace and the country had no trouble. Dinh Tien Hoang then ascended the throne. It was early spring in the first month; an envoy came with a letter saying the Ngo bandits had been pacified, inviting the two commanders to return, and requesting rewards and titles for them. The two received the order. The next day they led troops back to the capital. The king held a great celebration and conferred ranks and rewards on officers and soldiers. He granted the two fiefs in Ninh Son district, Dang An village. The two thanked him and returned to their post, established a camp in the village. When the work was completed, the two slaughtered oxen and held a celebration. They summoned the village elders and people and all their disciples to come and feast. The two said to the village elders: Our lives, more than ten thousand in number, all come from Heaven's heart, and the local spirit also helped us here. From now on, after we have passed away a hundred years, whoever worships and sacrifices to us with later generations shall be favored. My will is that after ten thousand years you worship three deities. Having spoken, suddenly heaven and earth shook, and a sheet of yellow cloud like red silk descended naturally before the camp; suddenly the two commanders' bodies flew out and departed, and they transformed. It was the fifth day of the sixth month. The people were greatly alarmed and submitted a memorial to the court; the king sent an envoy back to perform sacrifices and permitted Dang An village to be a household and to worship them there.
In the Thong Thai Binh era, the enemy sent generals such as Hau Nhan Bao with 200,000 troops to invade by the western route. Le Dai Hanh personally led resistance, advanced to Quoc Oai prefecture, Ninh Son district, Dang An village, and stationed troops at the shrine. The king performed rites asking the spirits for secret support to suppress the bandits; after the soldiers were pacified, he conferred the title Middle Grade Deity. Then they went out to fight, and the Nguyen army was indeed defeated: generals such as Nhan Bao were all captured. They also captured the great generals Bien and Phung Huan and sent them to the capital in triumph; afterwards they feasted officers and soldiers. People said: The Nguyen bandits were quickly pacified also thanks to the gods' help.
Conferred as the Great King Dong Chinh, who saves the world, protects the country, brings peace to the people, supports destiny, has great virtue, utmost benevolence, and manifest efficacy. By edict, yellow and red are forbidden in dress and ceremonies. Conferred as the Great King Chieu Phap, who saves the world, protects the country, is wise and perceptive, majestic and spiritually efficacious, wonderful and heroic. Conferred as the local City God, the Great King who supports and protects the country, spreads majesty, is courageous, resolute, bright, and wise. It is further said that from then on the deity became increasingly manifestly efficacious, so many emperors bestowed beautiful titles. In the Tran Thai Tong era, the Mongol Yuan invaded, the capital was captured; Tran Quoc Tuan was ordered to pray to the hundred gods at various shrines. The three great kings also responded with secret support. When Ma Nhi was pacified, he conferred on the three lords the title Pho Te Cuong Nhi Anh Linh. An edict ordered Dang An village to repair the temple and continue worship. How excellent! The edict opens: For birth and transformation, all taboo names are forbidden: Huong, Can, Dong Thinh, Chieu Phap, Duong Canh, eight characters. Permission is granted for Dang An village to worship. Birthday: the sixth day of the third month. Official ritual: an upper vegetarian tray, below ox, pig, glutinous rice, wine, and singing for three days, then stop. Transformation day: the fifth day of the sixth month. Official ritual: an upper vegetarian tray, below black pig, glutinous rice, and wine. Celebration day: the fifth day of the tenth month. Ritual: an upper vegetarian tray, below ox, goat, glutinous rice, and wine. Dong Thinh, the Great King who saves the world, protects the country, brings peace to the people, supports destiny, has great virtue, utmost benevolence, and manifest efficacy. By edict, yellow and reddish-brown are forbidden in dress and ceremonies. The local City God, the Great King who supports and protects the country, spreads majesty, is courageous, resolute, bright, and wise. The taboo names to be forbidden are eight characters: Huong, Can, Dong Thinh, Chieu Phap, Duong Canh. Permission is granted for Dang An village to worship the three lords. The deity's birthday: the sixth day of the third month; the official ritual uses an upper vegetarian tray, below ox, pig, glutinous rice, wine, and singing for three days, then stops. The deity's transformation day: the fifth day of the sixth month; the ritual uses an upper vegetarian tray, below black pig, glutinous rice, and wine. The celebration day: the fifth day of the tenth month; the ritual uses an upper vegetarian tray, below ox, goat, glutinous rice, and wine.
AUSPICIOUS DAY IN THE FIRST MONTH OF SPRING, HONG PHUC FIRST YEAR
Compiled by Nguyen Binh, Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, Hanlin Academy, Ministry of Rites.
AUSPICIOUS DAY IN MID-AUTUMN, VINH HUU SIXTH YEAR
Nguyen Hien, supervisor of the hundred deities and junior official in charge of the Hung Temple, respectfully copied the official version.
(First edict)
Edict: To the City God of Dang An Bao An. Protecting the country, nurturing the people, repeatedly manifesting efficacy. In the twenty-first year of Minh Mang, on the occasion of the great celebration of the fiftieth birthday of Our Holy Ancestor Nhan Hoang Emperor, respectfully following the precious edict, bestowing grace, and extending ranks to the people. Now, in accordance with the scenic mandate and remembering the deities' merit, you may be additionally conferred the title Bao An Chinh Truc Tri Than. It is permitted that Dang An Commune, Yen Son District, continue worship as before. May the deity support and protect our people. Respect this.
SEVENTH DAY OF THE ELEVENTH MONTH, THIEU TRI SIXTH YEAR
(Second edict)
Edict: To the City God Bao An Chinh Truc of Dang An. Protecting the country, nurturing the people, repeatedly manifesting efficacy. Now, in accordance with the scenic mandate and remembering the deities' merit, you are further conferred the title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Chi Than. It is permitted that Dang An Commune, Yen Son District, continue worship as before. May the deity support and protect our people. Respect this!
EIGHTEENTH DAY OF THE TWELFTH MONTH, THIEU TRI SIXTH YEAR
(Third edict)
Edict: To the City God of Dang An, formerly conferred the title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Chi Than. Protecting the country, nurturing the people, repeatedly manifesting efficacy; having received conferred edicts, worship is permitted. Now, in accordance with the scenic mandate and remembering the deities' merit, you may be further conferred the title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Don Ngung Chi Than. It is permitted that Dang An Commune, Yen Son District, continue worship as before. May the deity support and protect our people. Respect this!
TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF THE ELEVENTH MONTH, TU DUC THIRD YEAR
(Fourth edict)
Edict: To Dang An Commune, Yen Son District, Son Tay Province, which formerly worshipped the City God Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Don Ngung. Having received conferred edicts, worship is permitted. In the thirty-first year of Tu Duc, on the occasion of the great celebration, respectfully issuing this edict, bestowing grace, extending ritual ranks, specially permitting continued worship as before, to record national celebration and extend the sacrificial rites. Respect this!
TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF THE ELEVENTH MONTH, TU DUC THIRTEENTH YEAR
(Fifth edict)
Edict: The upright, benevolent, and sincerely honored Bao An, the City God. Hitherto protecting the country and aiding the people, manifesting miraculous responses, having repeatedly received grants and titles for worship. Now, conforming to the heavenly mandate and mindful of the god's merit, let him be additionally conferred the title of Winged Protector, Loyal and Earnest God. Also permit My Duc Dao, My Luong District, Tien An Commune to continue worship as before. May the god assist and protect our people. Respectful!
The seventh day of the seventh month, the second year of Dong Khanh
(Sixth edict)
Edict to Son Tay Province, Yen Son District, Tien An Commune, which formerly worshipped the upright, benevolent, and sincerely honored Winged Protector, Loyal and Earnest City God. Having repeatedly received edicts and titles, permitted to worship. In the Duy Tan era, on the occasion of the great celebration, respectfully issuing a precious edict, conferring grace, and grandly raising the rank, specially permit worship as before, to express the national celebration and the rites of personal sacrifice. Respectful!
The eleventh day of the eighth month, the third year of Duy Tan
(Seventh edict)
Edict to Son Tay Province, Yen Son District, Tien An Commune, worshipping the gods Dong Thinh and Chieu Phap. Protecting the country and aiding the people, manifesting miraculous responses. Now, in accordance with the heavenly mandate and mindful of the gods' merit, confer the title of Pure and Upright Winged Protector, Loyal and Flourishing Honored Gods. Permit their worship. May the gods henceforth assist and protect our people. Respectful!
The eighteenth day of the third month, the second year of Khai Dinh
(Eighth edict)
Edict to Ha Dong Province, Chuong My District, Tien An Commune, worshipping Chieu Phap, the wise, world-saving, country-aiding, intelligent, efficacious, miraculous, heroic and outstanding god, who has manifested miraculous responses. Now, in accordance with the heavenly mandate and mindful of the god's merit, confer the title of Winged Protector, Loyal and Flourishing, Numinous and Auspicious God. Permit his worship. May the god henceforth assist and protect our people. Respectful!
The eighteenth day of the third month, the second year of Khai Dinh
(Ninth edict)
Edict to Ha Dong Province, Chuong My District, Tien An Commune, which formerly worshipped Dong Thinh, the world-saving, country-protecting, people-uplifting, fate-assisting, greatly virtuous, supremely benevolent, and manifestly efficacious god, who has shown miraculous responses. Now, in accordance with the heavenly mandate and mindful of the god's merit, confer the title of Winged Protector, Loyal and Flourishing, Numinous and Auspicious God. Permit his worship. May the god henceforth assist and protect our people. Respectful!
The eighteenth day of the third month, the second year of Khai Dinh
(Tenth edict)
Edict to Ha Dong Province, Chuong My District, Tien An Commune, which formerly worshipped the originally conferred People-Uplifting, Fate-Assisting, Greatly Virtuous, Supremely Benevolent, Numinous and Auspicious, Winged Protector, Loyal and Flourishing Dong Thinh, the World-Saving and Protecting Honored God. Protecting the country, aiding the people, manifesting miraculous responses, having repeatedly received edicts and titles, permitted to worship. Now on the occasion of Our Majesty's fortieth birthday great celebration, respectfully issuing a precious edict, conferring grace, and grandly raising the rank, specially confer the additional title of Dignified and Solemn Honored God. Specially permit worship, to express the rites of personal sacrifice for the national celebration. Respectful!
The twenty-fifth day of the seventh month, the ninth year of Khai Dinh
(Eleventh edict)
Edict to Ha Dong Province, Chuong My District, Tien An Commune, which formerly worshipped the originally conferred Wise, World-Saving, Country-Aiding, Intelligent, Efficacious, Miraculous, Heroic and Outstanding, Numinous and Auspicious, Winged Protector, Loyal and Flourishing Chieu Phap, the World-Saving and Protecting Honored God. Protecting the country, aiding the people, manifesting miraculous responses, having repeatedly received edicts and titles, permitted to worship. Now on the occasion of Our Majesty's fortieth birthday great celebration, respectfully issuing a precious edict, conferring grace, and grandly raising the rank, specially confer the additional title of Dignified and Solemn Honored God. Specially permit worship to express the rites of personal sacrifice for the national celebration. Respectful!
The twenty-fifth day of the seventh month, the ninth year of Khai Dinh
(Twelfth edict)
Edict to Ha Dong Province, Chuong My District, Tien An Commune, which formerly worshipped the originally conferred upright, benevolent, and sincerely honored Winged Protector, Loyal and Flourishing City God, the Honored God. Protecting the country, aiding the people, manifesting miraculous responses, having repeatedly received edicts and titles, permitted to worship. Now on the occasion of Our Majesty's fortieth birthday great celebration, respectfully issuing a precious edict, conferring grace, and grandly raising the rank, specially confer the additional title of Tranquil and Generous Middle-Rank God. Specially permit worship, to express the rites of personal sacrifice for the national celebration. Respectful!
The twenty-fifth day of the seventh month, the ninth year of Khai Dinh
Respectfully copied by Chief Canton Head Do Duc Hieu
Chief Village Council Le Quy Chi
Deputy Village Head Le Van Ke, signed.
Sino-Vietnamese transcription and meaning
DEITY LEGEND ROYAL EDICTS
DIVINE BIOGRAPHY OF TIEN AN COMMUNE, SON QUYET CANTON, CHUONG MY DISTRICT, HA DONG PROVINCE
RECORD CONCERNING A GREAT KING WHO SPIRITUALLY ASSISTED TWO RULING KINGS IN THE TIME OF DINH TIEN HOANG
(Record in the Can branch, Middle-Rank God category)
In ancient times, Hung Vuong was the first sage ancestor who opened the great enterprise more than two thousand years ago. Hung Vuong founded the country, with green mountains for ten thousand miles, and established the capital and palaces. A single color of blue water opened the realm of enlightened kings and worthy ministers. He ruled fifteen tribes and became the first ancestor of the Hundred Yue. Later a Confucian scholar wrote a poem:
(Temporary translation)
In early Nam Viet, from Kinh Duong,
One land and eighteen kings.
Sons succeeded fathers for a thousand years firmly,
Generation after generation worshipped in every direction.
It is further said that when the Hung dynasty declined and Heaven's will ended, passing through the Dong Han, Wu, Jin, Song, Qi, Liang, and Tang dynasties, altogether two thousand six hundred years. Then in the South there arose the Dinh Tien Hoang dynasty. At that time in Hoa Lu cave there was a man surnamed Dang, whose taboo name was Huong. His ancestors had been granted titles by kings, and so he was honored. He married a woman surnamed Ta, taboo name Can, from a line of scholars and officials, a family of official caps and carriages; it may be said they were of equal status. He opened a school to teach students, was very skilled in medicine, and delighted in doing good, wishing to help people in difficulty. When he was nearly sixty and Mrs. Ta was over forty but had no son, day and night they often went to the pagoda to pray for a child. One night, while sleeping in the pagoda, at the end of the third watch, Mrs. Ta dreamed that two bright stars shone in the pagoda, descended into her body, and she embraced and swallowed them. She suddenly awoke and told her husband the dream; he understood all the auspicious signs.
The next morning, they made offerings and thanked the Buddha, then returned home. From then on Mrs. Ta became pregnant. On the sixth day of the third month of the Giap Ngo year, she gave birth to a single sac containing two sons, with extraordinary appearances and bright natural intelligence. At three they knew ritual propriety, respected elders and yielded to juniors, and upon hearing others study they understood the tonal rules for judging. At seven his parents sent them to school; by thirteen they had mastered writing and were also skilled in martial arts, with magnificent appearances, extraordinary wisdom and courage, and it was hard to tell elder from younger. Their parents named the first Dong Thinh and the second Chieu Phap. Contemporary scholars greatly admired them and called Dong Thinh and Chieu Phap child prodigies. At eighteen their parents died one after another; the two brothers conducted the funeral, then stayed at home to tend incense and lamps according to ritual for three years. After the mourning ended, they said to each other: 'We brothers are from a pure scholarly line, so we should find a place to teach as a long-term means of livelihood.' They went to Dang An village, later renamed Tien An Village, Ninh Son District, later renamed Yen Son District, Quoc Oai Prefecture, Son Tay Dao, and settled there, practicing letters day and night and teaching scholars for several months. The villagers saw they were extraordinary and voluntarily invited them to be village teachers. After teaching for several years, the two saw that the villagers were all good people, so they stayed there permanently. They observed the village terrain and saw that the mountains and waters were beautiful, with dragons coiling and tigers crouching, truly a scenic place. They told the people to build a school. Scholars from everywhere, hearing that the two had heavenly-given talent, came together to ask to become their disciples. Over three or four years, several hundred people studied under them.
At that time, during the reign of Dinh Tien Hoang, there were twelve warlords occupying territory and dividing the land, so the court could not control them. Dinh Tien Hoang was very worried. He first raised five hundred troops at Hoa Lu cave, then issued an edict to the districts to select soldiers, obtaining thirty thousand men, and sent envoys to proclaim throughout the country that whoever was complete in civil and martial arts, with extraordinary wisdom and courage, and able to defeat the enemy, would be appointed to office and promoted by the court. Hearing this, the two brothers summoned their disciples and the villagers and said: 'Now there is a strong enemy and the court is at a loss; we brothers volunteer to fight the enemy for the country.' Then they had cattle and goats slaughtered to sacrifice to Heaven, Earth, and all the spirits of rivers and mountains, and held a feast for the villagers, disciples, and soldiers in the village, totaling one thousand people. That very day, the two led troops to Dinh Tien Hoang's citadel to receive orders. Dinh Tien Hoang saw that both applicants were complete in civil and martial arts, dignified and splendid, fully matching the proclamation, so he appointed them Commanders, rewarded the soldiers, granted ranks and court ceremonial robes, and ordered them to attack the enemy. The two bowed and accepted the command, marched the troops, and within less than three days reached the citadel of the warlord stationed at Bao Da Village, Boi Khe Pagoda, Thanh Oai District, Ung Thien Prefecture, and fought a great battle with the enemy. By the hour of the Rooster there was still no victory or defeat. The two withdrew their troops to the fort to defend and waited until the next morning to fight again. At the third watch that night, after the drinking ended, the two lay down to sleep and suddenly dreamed of a man in neat attire standing before the bed saying: 'I am the local City God of Dang An Village. Hearing that you two have received the court's command to fight the enemy, and that after one battle you have not won and must wait until tomorrow to fight again, I wish to give spiritual aid and will defeat them; afterward let me share in the worship.' Having spoken, the man disappeared. The two awoke and said to each other: 'This is a divine person coming to help us brothers.' The next morning they led the troops out to battle, and by noon they defeated the enemy, killing several thousand of their soldiers; enemy blood flowed into streams and their corpses piled up like mountains. From then on the enemy was routed, and no one knew where the remnants fled. The world became peaceful and the country was at peace; Dinh Tien Hoang ascended the imperial throne.
At that time, in the first ten days of the first month, envoys brought a letter reporting that the enemy had been completely defeated and inviting the two to lead their troops back to the court. The two obeyed. The next day they brought the troops back to the capital; the king held a great banquet and rewarded the officers and soldiers according to their different ranks. He granted the two the right to enjoy revenues from Dang An Village in Yen Son District. The two thanked the king and returned to their post, establishing a headquarters in their own village. When the work was completed, they had cattle slaughtered for a celebration and invited the elders and villagers, together with their disciples in the village, to attend. The two said to the village elders: 'Our lives have depended on Heaven's will and on the assistance of the spirits. After we brothers die, on the days of sacrifice you must make the offerings generous and regard us as important. We brothers leave this command forever to later generations: the people of the village shall worship the three deities.' Having spoken, heaven and earth suddenly moved; a golden cloud like a red silk banner descended straight from the sky before the headquarters, and the two were seen rising into the air and departing—they had transformed. That day was the fifth day of the sixth month. The people were all afraid and at once sent a memorial to the court. The king returned and performed sacrifices, and allowed all the people of Dang An Village to become local household residents to worship the gods.
Around the Thai Binh era, 970 to 980, the Song, under Hou Renbao and others, brought two hundred thousand troops by separate routes from the west to invade our country. Le Dai Hanh personally led troops to resist. When he reached the temple in Dang An Village, Binh Son District, Quoc Oai Prefecture, he halted the army. The king then performed a rite to pray for the spirits' spiritual aid in defeating the enemy, promising that after victory he would confer on them the title of Middle-Rank God. When he went out to battle, the enemy was indeed defeated. Their generals, such as Hou Renbao, were all killed. They also captured their great generals Guo Junbian and Zhao Fengxun and brought them back to the capital. Afterward he rewarded the officers and soldiers and said: 'The enemy was quickly destroyed thanks to the spiritual aid of the three deities.' Therefore the king conferred an additional title on the first deity as:
He conferred on the second deity as:
It is further said that from then on, thanks to manifest miraculous responses, through successive dynasties the emperors all conferred beautiful titles on them. In the reign of Tran Thai Tong, the Mongol Yuan invaded, and the capital Thang Long was besieged. Tran Quoc Tuan received the king's command to pray to all spirits at the sacred temples. When he came to the temple worshipping the Three Great Kings here, there was also spiritual aid in defeating the enemy. After victory, the king conferred on the three deities the beautiful title 'Universal Salvation, Firm and Resolute, Heroic and Numinous.' He issued an edict for Dang An Village to restore the temple and perform worship. How excellent!
Respectfully setting out the birth dates and transformation dates of the deities, together with their festivals and taboo names, as listed below:
AUSPICIOUS DAY OF THE 1ST MONTH, FIRST YEAR OF THE HONG PHUC REIGN (1572)
Supervisor of the Hundred Deities, Director of the Hung Linh Hall and Junior Minister, Your servant Nguyen Hien, respectfully copied it according to the original.
(Edict No. 1)
Edict granting to the deity with the honorific title Dang An Bao An Thanh Hoang chi deity. He assisted the country, sheltered the people, and his miraculous responses were clearly manifest. In the 21st year of Minh Menh (1840), on the occasion of Our Holy Ancestor Nhan Hoang De celebrating his fiftieth birthday, a precious edict was issued, grace was extended, and a ceremony of promotion was held. Now We, having inherited the great mandate, consider his merits and bestow upon him the additional title Bao An Chinh Truc deity. Permit the commune of Dang An, Yen Son district, to worship him as before. May he shelter and protect Our people. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 7TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH, 6TH YEAR OF THE THIEU TRI REIGN (1846)
(Second edict)
Edict granting to the deity with the honorific title Dang An Bao An Chinh Truc Thanh Hoang chi deity. He assisted the country, sheltered the people, and his miraculous responses were clearly manifest. Now We, having inherited the great mandate, consider his merits and bestow upon him the additional title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien chi deity. Permit the commune of Dang An, Yen Son district, to worship him as before. May he shelter and protect Our people. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 8TH DAY OF THE 12TH MONTH, 6TH YEAR OF THE THIEU TRI REIGN (1846)
(Third edict)
Edict granting to the deity with the honorific title Dang An Thanh Hoang chi deity, originally bestowed the honorific title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien chi deity. He assisted the country, sheltered the people, and his miraculous responses were clearly manifest. Now We, having inherited the great mandate, consider his merits and bestow upon him the additional title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Don Ngung chi deity. Permit the commune of Dang An, Yen Son district, to worship him as before. May he shelter and protect Our people. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 20TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH, 3RD YEAR OF THE TU DUC REIGN (1950)
(Fourth edict)
Edict granting to the commune of Dang An, Yen Son district, Son Tay province, which formerly worshipped the deity with the honorific title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Don Ngung Thanh Hoang chi deity. Through successive ceremonies, edicts of investiture have been granted, and permission has been given for worship. In the 31st year of Tu Duc (1878), on the occasion of Our fiftieth birthday, a precious edict was issued, grace was extended, a ceremony of elevation was held, and special permission was given for worship as before, so as to commemorate the national celebration and record it in the register of worship. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 24TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH, 33RD YEAR OF THE TU DUC REIGN (1880)
(Fifth edict)
Edict granting to the deity with the honorific title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Don Ngung Thanh Hoang chi deity. From former times until now, he has assisted the country, sheltered the people, and his miraculous responses have been clearly manifest; through successive ceremonies, edicts of investiture have been granted for worship. Now We, having inherited the great mandate, consider his merits and bestow upon him the additional title Duc Bao Trung Hung chi deity. Permit the commune of Tien An, My Luong district, My Duc administrative region, to worship him as before. May he shelter and protect Our people. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 1ST DAY OF THE 7TH MONTH, 2ND YEAR OF THE DONG KHANH REIGN (1887)
(Sixth edict)
Edict granting to the commune of Tien An, Yen Son district, Son Tay province, which formerly worshipped the deity with the honorific title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Don Ngung Duc Bao Trung Hung Thanh Hoang chi deity. Through successive ceremonies, edicts of investiture have been granted, and permission has been given for worship. In the first year of Duy Tan (1907), on the occasion of Our enthronement ceremony, a precious edict was issued, grace was extended, a ceremony of promotion was held, and special permission was given for worship as before, so as to commemorate the national celebration and record it in the register of worship. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 11TH DAY OF THE 8TH MONTH, 3RD YEAR OF THE DUY TAN REIGN (1909)
(Seventh edict)
Edict granting to the commune of Tien An, Yen Son district, Son Tay province, which worships the deities Dong Thinh and Chieu Phap. They assisted the country, sheltered the people, and their miraculous responses were clearly manifest. Now We, having inherited the great mandate, consider their merits and bestow upon them the collective honorific title Thuan Chinh Duc Bao Trung Hung Ton Thanh. Permit worship as before, so as to commemorate the national celebration and record it in the register of worship. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 18TH DAY OF THE 3RD MONTH, 2ND YEAR OF THE KHAI DINH REIGN (1971)
(Eighth edict)
Edict granting to the commune of Tien An, Chuong My district, Ha Dong province, which worships the deity Chieu Phap, with the honorific title Te The Ho Quoc Thong Minh Due Tri Uy Linh Cam Dieu Hung Kiet, whose miraculous responses were clearly manifest. Now We, having inherited the great mandate, consider his merits and confer on him the title Duc Bao Trung Hung Linh Phu chi deity. Permit worship as before, so as to commemorate the national celebration and record it in the register of worship. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 18TH DAY OF THE 3RD MONTH, 2ND YEAR OF THE KHAI DINH REIGN (1917)
(Ninth edict)
Edict granting to the commune of Tien An, Chuong My district, Ha Dong province, which worships the deity Dong Thinh, with the honorific title Te The Ho Quoc Khang Dan Phu Van Hau Duc Chi Nhan Hien Ung, whose miraculous responses have been clearly manifest. Now We, having inherited the great mandate, consider his merits and confer on him the title Duc Bao Trung Hung Linh Phu chi deity. Permit worship as before, so as to commemorate the national celebration and record it in the register of worship. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 18TH DAY OF THE 3RD MONTH, 2ND YEAR OF THE KHAI DINH REIGN (1917)
(Tenth edict)
Edict granting to the commune of Tien An, Chuong My district, Ha Dong province, which from former times until now has worshipped the deity originally granted the additional honorific title Khang Dan Phu Van Hau Duc Chi Nhan Linh Phu Duc Bao Trung Hung Dong Thinh Te Ho Ton Thanh. He assisted the country, sheltered the people, and his miraculous responses were clearly manifest; through successive ceremonies, edicts of investiture have been granted, and permission has been given for worship. Now, on the occasion of Our fortieth birthday, a precious edict was issued, grace was extended, a ceremony of promotion was held, and We bestow upon him the additional title Doan Tuc Ton Thanh. Special permission is given for worship as before, so as to commemorate the national celebration and record it in the register of worship. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 25TH DAY OF THE 7TH MONTH, 9TH YEAR OF THE KHAI DINH REIGN (1924)
(Eleventh edict)
Edict granting to the commune of Tien An, Chuong My district, Ha Dong province, which formerly worshipped the deity originally bestowed the honorific title Thong Minh Due Tri Uy Linh Cam Dieu Hung Kiet Linh Phu Duc Bao Trung Hung Chieu Phap Te Ho Ton Thanh. He assisted the country, sheltered the people, and his miraculous responses were clearly manifest; through successive ceremonies, edicts of investiture have been granted, and permission has been given for worship. Now, on the occasion of Our fortieth birthday, a precious edict was issued, grace was extended, a ceremony of promotion was held, and We bestow upon him the additional title Doan Tuc Ton Thanh. Special permission is given for worship as before, so as to commemorate the national celebration and record it in the register of worship. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 25TH DAY OF THE 7TH MONTH, 9TH YEAR OF THE KHAI DINH REIGN (1924)
(Twelfth edict)
Edict granting to the commune of Tien An, Chuong My district, Ha Dong province, which formerly worshipped the deity originally bestowed the honorific title Bao An Chinh Truc Huu Thien Don Ngung Duc Bao Trung Hung Thanh Hoang Ton Thanh. He assisted the country, sheltered the people, and his miraculous responses were clearly manifest; through successive ceremonies, edicts of investiture have been granted, and permission has been given for worship. Now, on the occasion of Our fortieth birthday, a precious edict was issued, grace was extended, a ceremony of promotion was held, and We bestow upon him the additional title Tinh Hau Trung Dang deity. Special permission is given for worship as before, so as to commemorate the national celebration and record it in the register of worship. Thus this edict is issued!
THE 25TH DAY OF THE 7TH MONTH, 9TH YEAR OF THE KHAI DINH REIGN (1924)
Copy of the deity edict, Chief Cantonal Head Do Duc Hieu
Chief Village Council Le Quy Chi
Deputy Le Van Ke, signed.
