Từ Đạo Hạnh

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. 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, 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.

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, 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