Hagiography of the Second Lady of Mountainous Villages, Zen Master Diệu Tín

The Mountain Palace in Four Palaces is also called the Mountainous Forests and Villages. The realm of Mountainous Villages is under the rule of the three goddesses whom we call the Triad of Ladies of Mountainous Villages [Tam Toà Sơn Trang]. Their origins are from the Mường ethnicity, hence the titles the Ladies of the Mường Ethnicity [Chúa Mường].

The annual 12th day of the Ninth lunisolar month is the feast day to honor the Second Lady of Mountainous Villages, whose title is Zen Master Diệu Tín, Princess La Bình.

According to the court hymn composed by the late court musician Phạm Văn Kiêm, She was born into a noble family of the Quách clan. However, the infant somehow looked like a tiger, with a white face and golden hair. Her parents were so scared that they carried the baby to a deep cave in the forest and left Her there. She was brought up by a tigress, who was referred to as “Mother Tiger”, and taken care by the mountainous spirits. Finally, She met Her Master, who taught Her to practice magic capabilities and guided Her on the path to enlightenment.

After 10 years of cultivating, and hearing that the invaders were threatening the country, She left the mountain with the quest of expelling the enemy and protecting the people. When the mission was completed, She returned to the mountain with Her parents to resume practicing. She finally achieved enlightenment and was titled the Zen Master Diệu Tín. The beautiful cavern where She resided became the home for many mountainous beings as they gathered under the rule of the Second Lady.