The founder of Vietnamese medicine

It is said that Tue Tinh was born in Nghia Phu Village, Hai Duong province. Researchers have not been able to determine the exact dates of his birth and death. Some say that Tue Tinh lived in the 14^th century AD. Analysis of his works and a stele kept at Giam Pagoda suggest that he was probably born in the 17^th century and died in the early 18^th century. According to legends from Nghia Phu Village, his real name was Nguyen Ba Tinh, but when he started practising Buddhism, he adopted the Buddhist name Tue Tinh. Since his home village was Nghia Phu, Thuong Hong district, he also used the alias Hong Nghia.

Irrespective of his historical period, he is known to have studied medicinal plants extensively and cured many people by applying his knowledge. He put together his own medical experiences, as well as information he collected from others in two major works, 'The Medical Books of Master Hong Nghia' and 'The Miraculous Medicine of the Southern Country.'

Tue Tinh was not only a knowledgeable researcher but also an excellent organiser and practitioner. He initiated a health system based at pagodas for common people. Buddhist bonzes and nuns not only practised their religion but also spread information on preventive medicine and treated patients. Pagoda gardens were used to grow medicinal plants.

Tue Tinh was so popular and well-loved that after his death, four temples were built to honour him within four kilometres around his home village. These are known as the Temple to the Master of Southern Medicine in Nghia Phu Village; Bia Temple, located between Nghia Phu Village and Van Thai Village; Trung Temple by the dike of Van Thai Village; and Giam Pagoda (the biggest of the four) in Cam Son Commune. According to old stories set down in historical records, Tue Tinh came back to life twice in the 100 years following his death in order to help treat the diseases of his countrymen. The first time, in 1846, thousands of people poured into his temples to pray and ask for medicines. The second time, in 1936, he reappeared for three months, and even more people came to worship him. This time, each worshipper donated only one centime; the money collected amounted to 1,500 piastres.

In Vietnam's medical history no physician has ever been so highly honoured by the people as Tue Tinh. The health department of King Le Du Tong (1705-1729) praised his works in the florid language of a court document as follows: "Since the foundation of our country in the southern region, there have been hundreds of thousands of physicians, but it is almost impossible to find someone whose works are worthy for use by generations to come. Master Tue Tinh, a Buddhist bonze, has studied extensively the mysterious principles of yin and yang and other principles of medicine and has prepared a pharmacopoeia of more than 630 medicines; he has turned his own experiences with 13 ways for treating diseases and 37 methods for treating cold-genic diseases into Vietnamese popular verses, and written a book to teach the people. His heart is kind... and his good name is known everywhere."

  Story by DO TAT LOI and THAI HU
Photo by ANH TUAN     
               (Vietnam Cultural Window)