To welcome Buddhist Holiday 15.4.2013, Vietnam Book of Records officially announced top 50 famous pagodas owned Vietnam Record's Organization. Each pagoda has its own beauty. Though they were built in different times, they always reflect a Vietnamese religious soul in the past. Through history, Buddhist principle had been changed so much to adapt to Vietnamese people.
6. THANH AN PAGODA – HANOI
RECORD: Having the oldest thousand-hand thousand-eye great mercy Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue
LOCATION: Dao Xuyen village, Da Ton commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi
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| The thousand-hand thousand-eye great mercy Avalokitescara Bodhisattve |
Built under the Le dynasty, the pagoda is famous for the oldest statue known as the thousand-hand thousand-eye great mercy Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. It made of jackfruit wood, which is very durable, and against woodworm. For this great feature, the statue has not changed so much through history.
7. THANH DAO PAGODA – HANOI
RECORD: Having the first physical body statue in Vietnam
LOCATION: Gia Phuc Village, Nguyen Trai Commune, Thuong Tin District, Ha Noi
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| The dead body of Dao Tran Zen monk |
Though the pagoda was built in 3st century, it was significantly restored in the Le dynasty – 17th century. It was strictly designed as the four Dharma principle. Importantly, there are two physical body statues of two Zen monks namely, Dao Tran and Dao Tam. They had taken turn to control the pagoda in the 17th century.
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| The two dead bodies in altar |
The two dead bodies of two Zen Monks are considered as precious national objects in Vietnam. Perhaps, there is no another kind of statue even in the world. This method to keep those bodies has not yet been clear, but it is unique until now in Vietnam.
8. THAY PAGODA – HANOI
RECORD: Having the oldest stone double pedestal to worship Buddha
LOCATION: at the foot of Sai Son Mountain in Phuong Cach Commune, Quoc Oai District, Hanoi
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| Overview of Thay Pagoda |
Temple of the Master is another name of Thay Pagoda. It was erected in Ly dynasty found Hanoi capital (ancient Thang Long citadel). The pagoda is a complex of a pagoda and a small bridge nearby. The pagoda is dedicated to two great people. One is a person created water puppetry – Traditional entertainment in Vietnam. The other is the venerable monk Tu Dao Hanh, known as the religious life’s mirror.
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| The double pedestal in Thay pagoda |
Remarkably, there is a double pedestal with two layers in the main hall. It was decorated with lotus flower around and Garuda god bird’s image in 4 corners. Not only is it a masterpiece dating back to Tran dynasty (1225 – 1400), but it also is the oldest stone double pedestal in Vietnam.
9. THAN QUANG PAGODA – HANOI
RECORD: Having the first bronze Amitabha statue in Vietnam
LOCATION: 44 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
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| Inside the main sanctuary |
Being one of the ancient pagodas in Hanoi, Than Quang pagoda was constructed in the last Le dynasty. Ngu Xa is another name of the pagoda. It was erected in a small village used to be the home of bronze casting in Vietnam.
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| The first bronze Buddha statue |
This is why there is the biggest and oldest bronze Amitable statue in the Than Quang Pagoda. This is strong evidence about the development of bronze casting in ancient Vietnam. It was reached at its peak with various bronze products, especially Buddha statues.
10. TRAN QUOC PAGODA – HANOI
RECORD: Being the home of Thao Duong Zen Sect in Vietnam
LOCATION: Thanh Nien Street, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
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| Overview of Tran Quoc Pagoda |
Built in Ly Nam De Emperor (544 – 548) on the shores of the Red River, the original name is Khai Quoc pagoda. It means national founding pagoda in English. The pagoda used to be a stop to spread Buddhist principle of many famous monks in the past.
In 1069, the king Ly Thanh Tong, creator of Thang Long citadel, invited Thao Duong monk to and managed the pagoda. He was extremely religious and profound in Buddhism. He enlightened and developed Buddhist principle as his own way. From that, Thao Duong Zen Sect was born there, Vietnam and Tran Quoc Pagoda became its centre.
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| Tran Quoc pagoda at night |
Through history, the pagoda had changed significantly both its name and its scale. In 1615, people moved it to a small island on Thanh Nien Street as today because of Red River’s erosion. Restored with the largest structure in 1639, the pagoda was finally renamed as today.
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