Story 5: Ceremony Dong Co

Just felt in sleep after hours sat next to the bed where his father, the recent king was lying and waiting for his death, Phat Ma prince had a dream that Dong Co came in and said him that other princes would stood up to get the throne after his father died. The god said that he should prepare and he also had the god’s help. Phat Ma felt confused he had never thought that his brothers, Duc Thanh Vuong, Dong Chinh Vuong and Vu Duc Vuong would fight against him. Days later, Thai To Ly died, all things happened as his dream.

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Ten year ago from that day, when Phat Ma rode to fight against rebels in the south of the country he rode cross a temple respecting Dong CO in Thanh Hoa and rested at there. That night, he dreamt that Dong Co came in and promised that Dong Co would help him destroy rebels. Of course, the prince had the win. When he came back, he stopped at the temple and held a ceremony to thank to the god.

Dong Co, it meant drum made of copper, was important thing used in ceremonies. Dong Co god was the god who was embodiment of copper drum. Dong Co was respected in Dan Ne village (now Yen Dinh, Thanh Hoa province). When Thai To ly was king he moved Dong Co to Thang Long and respected in there. The new temple was built in the right of Hoang Thanh (see more about Hoang Thanh here) and behind Thanh Tho temple.

After moving Dong Co to Thang Long, Thai To Ly decreed that March 25th would be day to hode a ceremony that all mandarins and generals had to participate in and have their swears. Front of the temple was a high platform with flags around. Soldiers stood in lines, in uniform with swords, solemn. The altar of Dong Co was set at middle of the platform with an incensory set next to. Mandarins and generals went front of the altar and swore:

“If I am not filial to my parent and not loyal with to king, I will be please to receive the baddest thing from god, the death”.

Any body who didn’t participate in the ceremony would be beaten by a wooden thick rod on his ass fifty hits.

Later, a king of Ly dynasty died at same day which was the day held the ceremony every year. Therefore, the day held the ceremony was changed to April 4th. The custom was maintained along years the country was dominated by Ly family. The ceremony helped the country more orderly and stably because every one scared Dong Co.

Thai Tong Ly (name of Phat Ma Ly when he was king) believed in spiritual power. Therefore, after he resolved the struggle for power with other princes, he held a ceremony. After that, he could use his best to do other things and changed the country more prosperous. He was known as a wise king in history of Vietnam.

When Ly dynasty was replaced by Tran dynasty, the kings of Tran dynasty also wanted the way to make mandarins and generals to be loyal with them. Therefore, they also held the ceremony.

Till Le dynasty the ceremony became a traditional festival and nobody had to swear in the festival.

THE END

"Translated by Hung Nguyen"

Read more:

Historical stories

Story 3. Cong Uan Ly moved the capital

Story 4: Thai Tong Ly, the kindness king

Story 6: Tri Cao Nung

Story 7: One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot)

Story 8: King Thanh Tong Ly

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Truyện cổ tích Việt Nam

Vietnamese fairy tales

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