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| More and more people get interested in growing sweet flag. Photo by Bao Phuoc |
Mr. Van Binh Ton That Luong (1887 - 1951), who was a member royal family with profound knowledge of Vietnamese history and classical literature, wrote in The Pilgrimage to the Huong River as follows:
“The Huong River originates from two sources, the left and the right sides, from the upstream of Thua Thien province, winding through fields and gardens, flowing through the citadel, and reaching Thuan An estuary, and then the East Sea. On the left and right banks, there is a species of sweet flag, which is a fragrant elixir of immortality. It makes the water fragrant, and hence the name of Huong River (the perfume river).”
“Fragrant grass of sweet flag origin/ Growing along riverbanks/ Making water clear, pleasant/ And a fragrant river gurgling.”
Having a dream of beholding this awesome grass but I have never had the opportunity. Then I happened to see it in an ancient pagoda, about 7km from the city center.
Buddhist monk Thich Chanh Duc at Khanh Van Pagoda in Luu Bao village is a young monk who is diligent in cultivating and practicing scriptures. More than 10 years ago, he started growing this species of grass in honeycomb stones.
The monk said that it is not difficult to grow this kind of grass. All is just put a stem with the root into a fissure of a honeycomb stone, and then fill in with a little mud. After a while, the plant root clings to the rock and absorbs water to survive.
The plant lives on rocks and water, but it is not too clingy and demanding. Its life is simple and pure. Its green leaves and gentle fragrance evoke kindness in thoughts and feelings. He thought that it was the right plant to grow in pagodas because monks lead a pure minimalistic life.
Pots of sweet flag are found everywhere in the pagoda garden, causing curiosity of many Buddhist followers. Many people like me were interested when they were told that this was a type of sweet flag. Many said: “I’ve heard the name a long time ago, but now I can see it!”.
I asked the monk for permission to pick a small branch of leaves, rubbed it in my hand, and felt a very unique gentle cinnamon-like scent, which lasted quite long.
Sweet flag, whose scientific name is Acorus gramineus, is known as a kind of herb used for sedation, fever reduction, rheumatism treatment, sterilization, and phlegm axis. According to oriental medicine, when someone faints, just heat some dried sweet flag leaves and let the patient inhale them. They will get better immediately.
Sweet flag at Khanh Van is planted in honeycomb stones put in pots of different shapes. I wondered if this grass carried in itself the sacred legend of the Huong River or it was cared for by kind-hearted monks that felt in the wind the scent of the gently winding river.
Planting sweet flag as a hobby started in the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, but then it gradually lost. It has recently become popular again, but not many people know about this herb. It is a plant that requires meticulous care, but I think this turns out to be good because it teaches us patience, gentleness, and thoroughness.
In the old days, kings, scholars, and writers loved this herb and used it to decorate their gardens and study rooms. For those who are nature-friendly, this is a good plant to make a harmonious space for a peaceful soul. Is there any hobby more elegant than sitting by the side of a simple but elegant pot of sweet flag to enjoy tea?
Leaving Khanh Van Pagoda, we still had in our mind the image of a monk in a brown robe taking good care of pots of sweet flag. Perhaps, these pots of herbs that are deeply imbued with the prayers chanting and the wooden bell striking, and soaked in the compassionate light at the meditation door have become greener and more energized.
Stopping by the wharf at Thien Mu pagoda, watching the Huong River quietly flow like a soft silk band winding around the city, my friend and I coincidentally took a sip of river water and drink it up. For a moment we looked at each other in silence, feeling the most fragrant and quintessential of the plants associated with the legend of River flowing through our veins. Almost at the same time, we both said: “Our Huong River is so beautiful, and it smells so good!”