Từ Đạo Hạnh

Từ Đạo Hạnh
徐道行
Statue of Từ Đạo Hạnh at Thầy Temple
TitleThiền sư (Zen Master)
Personal life
BornTừ Lộ
1072
Died1116(1116-00-00) (aged 43–44)
Sài Sơn, Quốc Oai, Đại Việt
NationalityVietnamese
Parents
  • Từ Vinh (father)
  • Tăng Thị Loan (mother)
Other namesĐức Thánh Láng
OccupationZen monk, mystic
Religious life
ReligionBuddhism
SchoolMahayana, Thiền
LineageVinitaruci school
Dharma namesTừ Đạo Hạnh
OrdinationUnknown
Senior posting
Based inThầy Temple, Hanoi

Từ Đạo Hạnh (Chinese: 徐道行; 10721116), commonly called Đức Thánh Láng (德聖𣼽), was a Vietnamese Zen master of the Lý dynasty. His life is recorded in many legendary and mythical stories. Before the legend of Liễu Hạnh spread, he was regarded as one of the most famous Vietnamese saints, counted among the Four Immortals.

The most famous legend about him is that he shed his body and reincarnated as the son of Sùng Hiền hầu, named Lý Dương Hoán, who later became Lý Thần Tông. Because of this legend and the mystical folklore surrounding him, he was long considered one of the Vietnamese Four Immortals until the cult of Liễu Hạnh emerged.

He is venerated at Thiên Phúc Temple (now in Sài Sơn commune, Quốc Oai District, Hà Nội), popularly known as Thầy Temple and Láng Temple, as well as Nền Temple in Hanoi. The annual Thầy Temple Festival is held on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, believed to be the date of his passing.