The temple dedicated to teacher Chu Van An in Chu Van An ward, Hai Phong city is peaceful in the early morning. It is a place that preserves the moral values, intelligence, and integrity of the 'teacher of all generations.'
The temple dedicated to teacher Chu Van An lies amid the vast pine forest of Phuong Hoang (Phoenix) mountain. The temple complex was renovated on a large scale in 2008 with the inner and outer three-entrance gates, two stele houses, two corridors, lower, middle, and upper courtyards, and the main sanctuary, designed with two-tiered, eight-roof architecture.The main temple stands on high, spacious terrain, which, according to feng shui, is the eye of the Phoenix. In front is Ngoc mountain serving as the front screen, behind is Phuong mountain as the rear support, with Ky Lan and Phuong Hoang mountains flanking on both sides. The temple consists of five front worship compartments and one rear sanctuary.The statue of teacher Chu Van An is placed inside the rear sanctuary of the temple. The statue is cast in bronze, weighs 100 kg, and was donated by Ha Noi Architectural University.At the foot of the statue are bronze-cast images of a brush and inkstone, along with teacher Chu Van An’s famous saying: “I have never heard of any nation that prospers by neglecting learning.”Prayer texts for blessings in studies, fortune, and prosperity at the temple.Teacher Chu Van An’s courtesy name was Tieu An, his given name Linh Triet, and his posthumous title Van Trinh. Once, when teacher Chu Van An came to Phuong Hoang mountain and saw the vast pine forest, clear streams, and rugged cliffs, he built a house to teach, treat illnesses, write poetry and books, and live in quiet contemplation, adopting the pseudonym Tieu An.Right at the main entrance to the temple stands an ancient duoi tree next to the old cliffside house where teacher Chu Van An once lived in seclusion on Phuong Hoang mountain.Many of his famous sayings are engraved here, such as: “Virtue triumphing over others is strength. Wealth triumphing over others is cruelty. Force triumphing over others is loss.”About 600 m behind the temple lies the tomb of teacher Chu Van An. According to legend, the tomb’s location is the head of the Phoenix, symbolizing the pinnacle of justice and virtue. About 50 m west of the tomb is a small well; visitors coming to pay respects often drink a sip of water, believing that the sacred energy of the mountains flows into their bodies. In the photo: The path leading to the tomb of teacher Chu Van An.In the middle courtyard of the temple, the characters “Hoc” (Study), “Ton Su Trong Dao” (Respect Teachers and Value Morality), and “Van The Su Bieu” (Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations) are carved in stone.The exam pavilion space, recreating the scene of ancient examinations, was built in 2021 within the temple grounds. Interspersed among the guard post models and exam huts are panels displaying calligraphy poems by teacher Chu Van An and characters he often gave students.Luu Quang hall is where teacher Chu Van An once taught. The hall is located to the right of the temple, heading west down the mountain.In the past, visitors coming to see teacher Chu Van An were often given characters appropriate to their circumstances. Today, the temple management board continues this cultural tradition as a way of preserving the educational values he left behind.
