Where is Tay Phuong Pagoda?
Also known as Tay Phuong Co Tu, Tay Phuong Pagoda is known as the 2nd oldest pagoda in Vietnam (after Bac Ninh Dau Pagoda). Therefore, in 2014, the Government recognized Tay Phuong Pagoda as a special National Monument of architectural and artistic value.
Address: Cau Lau hilltop, Yen village, Thach Xa commune, Thach That district, Hanoi.
Directions to Tay Phuong Pagoda
The pagoda is about 40km from Hanoi capital, so moving to this place is not too difficult and can use many different means.
From the center of Hanoi capital, you move in the direction of Tran Duy Hung Street – Thang Long Boulevard. When coming to the overpass at the intersection of Thang Long Avenue – Thach That, Quoc Oai, turn left to Quoc Oai. Then turn right and go for another 5km, at Thach Xa intersection, you will see a signpost indicating the way to Tay Phuong Pagoda. From here, turn left and go about 4-5km to the temple gate.
Besides, you can travel by bus to get to the temple. You choose bus route number 89: Yen Nghia bus station – Thach That – Son Tay bus station and get off at Tay Phuong pagoda stop.
Reference: Tay Phuong Pagoda Google maps
Explanation about Tay Phuong pagoda
According to legend, the birth of the temple is associated with the process of spreading Buddhism into Vietnam.
After a few centuries, the story of the re-birth of the pagoda is associated with the character Cao Bien – a monk of the Tang Dynasty (864 – 868) who once ruled Annam and came here to build a religious architecture, with the intention of block the long circuit of this country.
However, the legend is still a legend, and there is material evidence related to the temple, which was the time Mac Phuc Nguyen (1547 – 1561) built to the present scale. After that, King Le Than Tong, Western Lord Trinh Tac, and King Le Hy Tong repaired more, but not much.
When was Tay Phuong Pagoda built?
According to many preserved information, Tay Phuong Pagoda was built around the 8th century and is the second oldest pagoda after Dau Pagoda in Bac Ninh.
In 1632, during the reign of King Le Than Tong, the pagoda built the upper hall with 3 compartments and the harem and the corridor with 20 compartments. Around the years 1657-1682, Tay Do Vuong Trinh Tac again demolished the old pagoda, rebuilt the new pagoda and the three gates. In 1794, under the Tay Son Dynasty, the pagoda was completely overhauled with the new name “Tay Phuong Co Tu” and the architectural shape remains as it is today.
Special features of Tay Phuong Pagoda in Hanoi
The architecture of the thousand-year-old temple
Located at the top of Cau Lau hill, to reach the main gate of Tay Phuong pagoda you will have to walk through 239 mossy laterite steps. The pagoda was built with 3 pagoda folds placed parallel to each other in the shape of the letter Tam: the main hall, the main hall and the harem.
Tay Phuong Pagoda is now a complex of units, including the following items: Tam Quan Ha, Tam Quan Thuong, Temple of Son Than, Tien Duong, Trung Duong, Upper Palace, Ancestral House, Mother House and Guest House.
Around the roof fringes of the three buildings are delicately carved in the shape of a rolling seal, on the roof are many terracotta seeds, the roof blades are also in terracotta with the outlines of flowers, leaves, dragons and phoenixes.
Both roofs are in the style of “roofed ships”, between the two floors is a match neck covered by puzzle boards. The architecture, art of the place, wood carving and decorative patterns at Tay Phuong Pagoda show the sophisticated technical level and talent of the ancients…
Who does Tay Phuong Pagoda worship?
Tay Phuong Pagoda is now a complex of units, including the following items: Tam Quan Ha, Tam Quan Thuong, Temple of Son Than, Tien Duong, Trung Duong, Upper Palace, Ancestral House, Mother House and Guest House.
From Tam Quan Lower sent up 247 laterite steps to Tam Quan Thuong. Son Than Temple is located to the left of the temple, separate from the main temple area. This is a unit that both acts as a place to worship the mountain god and also as a church of Duc Ong, has a modest area with traditional tiled wooden architecture.
The main Tay Phuong Pagoda owns many French statues with rare masterpieces in religious sculpture. Around the pagoda, there are extremely sophisticated carvings of lotuses, chrysanthemums, dragons, phoenixes, and tigers made by talented artisans in Chang Son village – a famous carpentry village.
It can be mentioned as the set of Tam The Buddha with 3 statues Past, Present and Future; set of Amitabha Tam Ton statue, Tuyet Son statue in the ascetic period…. 16 Ancestral statues with realistic style.
In particular, Tay Phuong Pagoda also owns 18 Arhat statues with different looks and facial expressions.
Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival in Hanoi
Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival is held on the 6th day of the 3rd lunar month and lasts until the 10th day of the third lunar month with many festival activities to attract tourists.
On the main day of the festival, people in the village will go to collect sacred water to celebrate Moc Duc (bathing statues) and offer incense. Visitors to the temple on the festival day will be able to participate in folk games such as tug of war, wrestling, human chess, etc.
Notes when coming to Tay Phuong Pagoda
- The temple is a sacred place, so when you come here, you should not dress too colorful and offensive to lose the inherent solemnity of the temple.
- Tay Phuong Pagoda is a place to worship Buddha, so when you bring gifts to the temple, you should not offer a salty ceremony, but just prepare vegetarian food such as sticky rice, tea, incense and flowers.
- Going to the temple, you should sincerely pray for peace and enjoy the peaceful and sacred beauty instead of taking pictures.
- Do not arbitrarily touch, touch or take any objects in the temple without the permission of the temple.
- Do not step on trees, flowers or chairs in the temple. Dispose of garbage in the right place to avoid polluting the environment.
- You should ask permission in advance with the temple management to get consent if you want to film or take pictures.
Source: Collected internet.