LONG PAGODA PHUOC
This pagoda, located downstream from the Côn River in Binh Dinh province, is home to a Shaolin-like school.
Depart from Quy Nhon to the "crossroads of 3 roads", known as Phu Tai. Take national road 1A, then branch off onto regional road 6B (Tuy Phuoc district). After around 20 km, we reach the hamlet of Tan Thuan, Tuy Phuoc. At the Manguier inn (Cay Xoai), take the 1 km path leading to the Long Phuoc pagoda.
"The Long Phuoc pagoda is located downstream from the Côn River, in central Binh Dinh province. It's home to a Shaolin-like school. In the twilight, a few silhouettes in grey garments dart about with swords, sticks and spikes in a brick-paved courtyard, just like in the Shaolin pagoda in China's remote Hunan province. Disciples attend classes here, from bonzes to herdsmen from the surrounding villages.
In the blink of an eye, they are engaged in strange lessons. Those who have the time to follow them over the long term become experts. They may present themselves as specialists in tru hôn kiêm (soul-killing sword), dàng vân sat kiêm (sword that can travel through the air to kill), luc ma trùng duong thuong (javelins capable of slaughtering six horses at once), etc., as well as complicated movements of the hands, feet and whole body. The monk Thich Manh Hoà, who runs the Long Phuoc pagoda, explains that in almost all the pagodas in Binh Dinh, most of the monks are masters of martial arts or shaolin, as in Quang Hoà, Linh Phong, Minh Tinh."
Source: Le Courrier du Viêt Nam, July 22, 2002.
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