Hà Nội is the capital, the political, economic, cultural, and tourist centre. Hà Nội is famous 36-streets ancient quarters, rich in historic and cultural vestiges, especially religious architectural projects. Visitors to Hà Nội are opportune not only to see temple of literature, history museum, Ba Đình square, Hoàn Kiếm lake, Hồ Chí Minh mausoleum, fine-arts museum, West lake, ancient quarters but Hà Nội temples and pagodas.
First and foremost: one pillar pagoda, part of Diên Hựu pagodas complex, next to Hồ Chí Minh museum. The pagoda was built in 1049 after a dream of king Lý Thái Tông. It’s said that the king did not have son to succeed him when he was rather old, he used to visit Diên Hựu pagoda. One night, he dreamed of the Buddha on a lotus flower with a baby in arms, then gave it to the king. Later on, his queen gave birth to a handsome prince. The king was so glad that he ordered a pagoda be built on a stone column that looked like a lotus flower, with a statue of Buddha inside as his gratitude. It’s also said that the pagoda was built on a 20m-high stone column. It was destroyed by the Chinese Minh invaders in 15th century and rebuilt in 1954 as it’s today.
Trấn Quốc pagoda:
The pagoda was built in the 6th century, in pre-Lý Nam Đế dynasty (541-548) on a small island in the West lake. It’s originally called Khai Quốc and changed as Trấn Quốc in the 17th century. In the 19th century, king Thiệu Trị named it Trấn Bắc Tự but it’s popularly known as Trấn Quốc, and it’s one of ten pagodas in Indochina at the time. It’s famous for the natural landscapes, a number of stupa, and a Buddha-Nirvana. The pagoda is also well-known for the Bồ Đề (bodi-tree), a gift by the Indian president in 1959, it’s planted in the ground-centre and very big and bushy nowadays.
Quán Thánh pagoda:
The pagoda, well-reputed with a black copper statue, was built in 1010 under king Lý Thái Tổ dynasty by side of road Thanh Niên, close to Trúc Bạch lake dedicated to saint Trấn Vũ. It’s said that the saint helped king An Dương Vương to keep away devils when building Cổ Loa citadel. Originally, the statue was made of wood. In 1677, under king Lê Hy Tôn dynasty, it was made of copper with 3.96m in height, 4 tons heavy, 3.48m in perimeter. The base is 8m. In 1892, it was put on 1.5m high stone base. On the gate door, there are 3 Chinese characters: Trấn Vũ Quan.
Thần Quang pagoda
It’s is a must-to see in Hà Nội, and it’s built in the 18th century (later Lê dynasty) from 1428 - 1788. The pagoda was damaged by war and time and rebuilt in 1952, and well-known for its A-Di-Đà (god of mercy) copper statue. It’s not only the biggest statue in Việt Nam but fine -art product by skilled craftsmen of Ngũ Xã centuries -old craft village. The statue is 3,95m high, 10 tons heavy on 96-petal lotus, 15m in perimeter, located centrally.
Ngọc Sơn temple
It was built on Ngọc (Jade) island in returned sword lake in Trần dynasty (1225-1400). National hero Trần Hưng Đạo and some illustrious writers are worshipped in the temple. Originally, it was a small temple and enlarged time by time. In 1865, Ngọc Sơn temple was renovated the shape which we can see today. A large pen -shaped tower (Tháp Bút) was built at the entrance of the temple. On the Tháp Bút, there are three Chinese characters Tạ Thanh Thiên. Behind Tháp Bút it is Đài Nghiên (Ink Stand). Passing Đài Nghiên, you walk into the temple crossing Thê Húc bridge made of wood.
Bà Đá pagoda or Linh Quang Tự
It was built in 1056 under king Lý Thánh Tôn time, the pagoda was originally called Sùng Khánh and rebuilt later. When digging the foundation, a stone lady statue was discovered and put to be worshipped, it was nowhere to be seen some time. In the 18th century (late Lê -Trịnh dynasty), lord Trịnh Sâm (1767-1782) ordered the pagoda be rebuilt but couldn’t, when the foundation was made deeper, the statue was found and brought to worship, the pagoda was completed and named Bà Đá (stone-lady). In 1793, super-monk Khoan Giai from Sơn Môn Hồng Phúc rebuilt it and called Linh Quang Tự. The pagoda is famous with Buddhist statues made of grape -fruit wood, the biggest one in Việt Nam.
Quán Sứ pagoda
It is located in No73 Quán Sứ street, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội. The pagoda was built in the 15th century under the Lê dynasty. The pagoda was restored many times so it was not ancient as before. The pagoda was entirely renovated in 1942 and it is the biggest pagoda in Hà Nội. Since 1958, a part of the pagoda is head office of Việt Nam Buddhism Association.
Hai Bà Trưng pagoda
The pagoda was built in 1142 under the reign of king Lý Anh Tông to worship two Vietnamese heroines Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị in Hương Viên street, Đồng Nhân ward, Hai Bà Trưng district, Hà Nội. There are two fine clay statues of two Trưng heroines with 12 statues of their general -ladies. Every year, a grand festival is held at the pagoda on the 5th and 6th days of the second lunar month to commemorate the two national heroines.
Religious architectures, temples and pagodas in Hà Nội have enticed great number of tourists to the capital.
TUYẾT MINH