Little-known story about the man guarding the two solid gold elephants given by King Ham Nghi

Recently, Mr. Nguyen Van Nhan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Gia Commune (Huong Khe, Ha Tinh ) said that for nearly 140 years, the treasure bestowed by King Ham Nghi has been considered the "soul" of the local people. The local people still guard the treasure bestowed by King Ham Nghi day and night.

This year, the people in the commune did not organize a procession of the treasure but only held an opening ceremony and sang Chau Van at the house of the late Taoist priest Phan Hung Vy (70 years old, the person in charge of the treasure).

The leader of Phu Gia Commune People's Committee said that according to tradition, every two years, the villagers elect a prestigious person, called the old Taoist priest. However, what was special in the year of At Ty, after the ceremony to ask for permission, the "superior" agreed to let Mr. Phan Hung Vy continue to hold the position of old Taoist priest.

Late Taoist priest Phan Hung Vy. Photo: TL

Through the introduction of the leader of Phu Gia commune, we met Mr. Phan Hung Vy in Phu Ho village, "expressing" our desire to admire the treasure given by the king.

Mr. Vy said that not everyone who wants to see the treasures that King Ham Nghi gave to the people of Phu Gia commune can see them and must have the consent of the "superior". To know whether the "superior" agrees or not, the late priest must light incense and pray.

The priest will then cast the yin and yang divination. If the two coins land on heads and tails, it means the "upper" has agreed. If both lands on heads or tails, it means the gods have refused to let them see.

After putting on his red robe and reporting to the Holy Mother Tram Lam, Mr. Vy tossed two coins, one got heads and one tails.

The treasures given by King Ham Nghi are carefully preserved. Photo: TL

Opening the box containing the king's treasure, the late Taoist priest Phan Hung Vy said that he has been in charge of taking care of King Ham Nghi's treasure since the year Quy Mao, 2023.

“Up to now, I have been guarding the treasure for 2 years. According to village custom, on January 7th every year, the villagers and elders in the village hold a ceremony to ask the superiors to witness the selection of a new priest. However, this year, after asking the superiors to witness the selection, the gods allowed me to continue guarding the treasure.

The task is very heavy but I feel happy because I continue to be trusted by my superiors," Mr. Vy said.

He said that according to historical records, in 1885, the capital city of Hue fell, and the regent Ton That Thuyet took King Ham Nghi (then 14 years old) to the northern mountains for refuge. Arriving at Phu Gia commune, the king stopped to establish a base in Son Phong and issued the second Can Vuong proclamation.

Among the treasures King Ham Nghi gave were two solid gold elephants. Photo: TL

When the base was attacked by the French, King Ham Nghi fled to Tram Lam Temple to hide. In his dream, the Holy Mother warned him that the enemy was coming. After waking up, the king rang the bell and invited his courtiers to come and confer the title of “Supreme Supreme Spirit” on Tram Lam Temple.

Before entering Quang Binh , the king gave the people of Phu Gia commune 2 solid gold elephants (one weighing 2.7 taels, the other 1.7 taels), 40 royal decrees, 8 sets of court robes and hats, flags and umbrellas, 2 iron-bladed swords with gilded handles, a bronze unicorn, a robe, 20 fans...

The Taoist priest must be a double monk.

Since the day the king bestowed this precious treasure, the people of Phu Gia commune have always preserved it together, considering it a sacred object that brings luck to the villagers.

Every two years, the villagers elect a person with prestige, good character, and a harmonious family and give him the title of "co dao chu". This person is allowed to take the treasures home to keep, preserve, and not lose them. At the end of his "term", the treasures will be transferred to the new person.

Tram Lam Temple, also known as the Hundred Years Temple. Photo: TL

Mr. Nguyen Van Nhan, Chairman of Phu Gia Commune People's Committee, said that after more than a century, Phu Gia Commune now has more than 50 elders who have been "entrusted" by the gods and given the position of head of the sect.

The leader of Phu Gia commune said that the late priest must be over 65 years old, educated, knowledgeable about rituals, and must have a husband and wife. Before accepting, the late priest must perform a ceremony to ask the superiors to confirm that he has been entrusted by the gods and trusted by the villagers.

The person guarding King Ham Nghi's treasure must be trusted by the villagers. "In addition, they are not allowed to go into the kitchen to cook, do no farm work, and place their bed close to where the treasure is kept. Women must be especially avoided," informed the leader of Phu Gia commune.