Từ Đạo Hạnh (Chinese: 徐道行; 1072 – 1116), commonly called Đức Thánh Láng (德聖𣼽), was a Vietnamese Zen master of the Lý dynasty. His life is recorded in many legendary and mythical stories.Thiện Đỗ, Vietnamese supernaturalism: views from the southern region - Page 245 (2003): "29 It is interesting to note that in the folk legend of Từ Đạo Hạnh, there was a spirit who appeared before him at the time he achieved magical power from meditation. The spirit identified himself as Tu' Tran Thien Vu'o'ng or Deva King of Four." Before the legend of Liễu Hạnh spread, he was regarded as one of the most famous Vietnamese saints, counted among the Four Immortals.
The most famous legend about him is that he shed his body and reincarnated as the son of Sùng Hiền hầu, named Lý Dương Hoán, who later became Lý Thần Tông. Because of this legend and the mystical folklore surrounding him, he was long considered one of the Vietnamese Four Immortals until the cult of Liễu Hạnh emerged.
He is venerated at Thiên Phúc Temple (now in Sài Sơn commune, Quốc Oai District, Hà Nội), popularly known as Thầy Temple and Láng Temple,Tài Thư Nguyễn, The History of Buddhism in Vietnam (2008) p.98: "The most representative was Bonze superior Tu Dao Hanh, a contemporary of Van Hanh. Tu Dao Hanh's biography was full of a series of mystic and strange stories as 'commanding the sylphs, dancing with magic sticks, being reincarnated...'" as well as Nền Temple in Hanoi. The annual Thầy Temple Festival is held on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, believed to be the date of his passing.Van Huy Nguyen, Laurel Kendall, Vietnam: Journeys of Body, Mind, and Spirit (2003) p.234: "Tu Dao Hanh, who lived as a monk at Thay Temple (Chua Thay) in the eleventh century, is regarded as the founder of this... When puppeteers perform during the Thay Festival, they do honor to Tu Dao Hanh, their founder and patron deity,..."
Biography According to legend, his name was Lộ (路), son of the official Từ Vinh and Lady Tăng Thị Loan. After his father was killed by a sorcerer named Đại Điên, Từ Lộ intended to travel to India to learn magic to avenge him, but midway he turned back and chose Sài Sơn mountain to cultivate. He devoted himself to reciting the Great Compassion Dharani of Avalokiteśvara until he attained spiritual response. A deity identifying himself as Trấn Thiên Vương appeared and became his servant. Later, with a magic staff, he killed Đại Điên.
Đại Điên reincarnated as a prodigious boy known as Giác Hoàng. King Lý Nhân Tông adopted him but later, during a grand ritual, the child fell ill and died, blocked by Từ Đạo Hạnh’s talisman. For this, Từ Đạo Hạnh was summoned to Hưng Thánh tower. He then promised Sùng Hiền hầu, the king’s brother, that he would be reborn as his son in repayment if informed before the birth.
He was also famed for magical feats with his companions Nguyễn Minh Không and Giác Hải. A prophecy foretold he would be reborn as a tiger in the next life, a fate later associated with Lý Thần Tông’s mysterious illness.
Shedding the body Legend says that before dying, Từ Đạo Hạnh foretold his rebirth as the son of Sùng Hiền hầu. After his death on the 7th day of the 3rd lunar month, 1116,Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư: "Bính Thân, Hội Tường Đại Khánh year 7 ... Monk Từ Đạo Hạnh shed his body at Quốc Oai mountain temple ... After his death, Lady Đỗ gave birth to Lý Dương Hoán." he reincarnated as Lý Dương Hoán, who later ascended the throne as Lý Thần Tông.
Later, Lý Thần Tông suffered a strange disease, growing tiger-like hair and roaring like a tiger. Only the monk Nguyễn Minh Không cured him.
In Hanoi, Láng Temple (Chiêu Thiền Tự) was built during the reign of Lý Anh Tông to honor both Từ Đạo Hạnh and Lý Thần Tông. Nền Temple was also constructed on his former residence.
Works Source: Giáo trò Hữu không (in Thơ văn Lý Trần, vol. I, Social Sciences Publishing, 1977) Kệ thị tịch Thất châu Vấn Kiều Trí Huyền
Four Immortals The Four Immortals (四不死) are the quartet of immortal saints in Vietnamese belief: Tản Viên Sơn Thánh, Phù Đổng Thiên Vương, Chử Đồng Tử, and Liễu Hạnh. Before the rise of Liễu Hạnh, Từ Đạo Hạnh was sometimes counted among them. He became the archetype of the Thánh Tổ—monk-saints worshiped as protective deities in Vietnamese Buddhism.
Temples and Shrines Numerous temples in Hanoi and surrounding provinces are dedicated to Từ Đạo Hạnh, including Thầy Temple, Láng Temple, Nền Temple, Lý Triều Quốc Sư Temple, Trăm Gian Temple, and others. Many preserve legends tied to his life, reincarnation, and miracles.
System of Related Temples and Shrines + No. Monument Name Other Names Worshipped Figures Address Notes 1Thầy TempleThiên Phúc Tự, Hương Hải Am, Chùa CảLý Thần Tông, Từ Đạo Hạnh, his parentsSài Sơn, Quốc Oai, HanoiMain worship site2Đỉnh Sơn Cổ TựTừ Đạo Hạnh, his parents, Giác Hải, Nguyễn Minh Không3Một Mái Temple (Bối Am Temple)Từ Đạo Hạnh4Long Đẩu TempleTừ Đạo Hạnh 5Quán Thánh Temple Từ Đạo Hạnh6Hoa Phát Temple Từ Đạo Hạnh7Láng TempleChiêu Thiền TựTừ Đạo Hạnh, Lý Thần TôngLáng Thượng, Đống Đa, HanoiMain worship site built by the Lý dynasty to honor Lý Thần Tông8Nền Temple Đản Cơ TựTừ Vinh (father of the saint)9Hoa Lăng TempleBa Lăng TựTăng Thị Loan (mother of the saint)No. 2, alley 51, lane 58 Nguyễn Khánh Toàn, Cầu Giấy, Hanoi10Thưa TempleCổ Sơn TựTừ Nương (sister of Từ Đạo Hạnh)Láng 11Lý Triều Quốc Sư Temple Nguyễn Minh Không, Từ Đạo Hạnh, Giác Hải Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi12Thượng Đình Communal House Đô Sát Từ Vinh Thượng Đình, Thanh Xuân, HanoiWhere the body of Từ Vinh drifted along the Tô Lịch River and locals buried him. Later he was enshrined as a village deity.13Tam Huyền Temple Sùng Phúc Tự Đô Sát Từ VinhThượng Đình, Thanh Xuân, Hanoi14Đồng Bụt Temple Thiền Sư TựTừ Đạo HạnhNgọc Liệp, Quốc Oai, Hanoi15Tổng La Phù Temple Thiên Hương Tự Từ Đạo Hạnh, Nguyễn Minh Không, Giác HảiLa Phù, Hoài Đức, Hanoi16Múa TempleThiên Vũ TựDương Nội, Hà Đông, HanoiWhere Từ Đạo Hạnh transformed into a tiger to frighten Nguyễn Minh Không17Vằn Temple Thiên Văn Tự An Khánh, Hoài Đức, HanoiWhere Từ Đạo Hạnh discarded a tiger skin18Bi TempleĐại Bi Tự Từ Đạo Hạnh Nam Giang, Nam Trực, Nam ĐịnhAfter his father was killed by Đại Điên, Từ Đạo Hạnh brought his mother to live here.19Phả Lại Temple Chúc Thánh Tự Từ Đạo Hạnh, Nguyễn Minh Không, Giác HảiĐức Long, Quế Võ, Bắc Ninh20Múa TemplePhượng Vũ TựTừ Đạo Hạnh, Lý Thần Tông, Đô Sát Từ VinhMinh Khai, Vũ Thư, Thái Bình Where Từ Đạo Hạnh subdued a water monster for the people21Cả TempleTrung Hưng Tự Từ Đạo HạnhLa Phù, Hoài Đức, Hanoi22Ngãi Cầu Temple Phổ Quang TựTừ Đạo HạnhAn Khánh, Hoài Đức, Hanoi23Miếu Vườn Nở ShrineTừ Đạo HạnhĐồng Bụt, Quốc Oai, HanoiWhere Lady Tăng Thị Loan dreamed of a lotus before conceiving the saint24Linh Tiên Quán Daoist Temple Lý Triều Thánh Tổ Đức Thượng, Hoài Đức, HanoiAltar of Thánh Tổ on the left of the main hall25Lủ TempleKim Phúc Tự, Diên Phúc Tự, Kim Giang Temple 122 Kim Giang, Đại Kim, Hanoi26Kim Giang Communal HouseTừ Vinh, Mạo Hoa GiápThượng Đình, Hanoi27Ông TempleBản Tịch TựTừ Đạo Hạnh, Lý Thần TôngBình Lương village, Tân Quang, Văn Lâm, Hưng Yên28Xuân Quan TempleHuệ Trạch TựPháp Thông Vương Phật Xuân Quan village, Trí Quả, Thuận Thành, Bắc NinhFemale disciple of Từ Đạo Hạnh29Trăm Gian TempleVĩnh Khánh Tự, An Ninh TựToàn Nương (Phạm Thị Toàn)Nam Sách, Hải DươngFemale disciple of Từ Đạo Hạnh
See also Lý Nhân Tông Lý Thần Tông Nguyễn Minh Không
References
External links Thầy Temple, a sacred place on the mountain Zen master Từ Đạo Hạnh: History and Legend