Thang Nghiem Quoc Tu – a more than 1000-year-old Tantric Buddhist temple in Ha Noi.
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Located in Khuc Thuy village (Binh Minh Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi), about 15km south of the capital’s center, Thang Nghiem Pagoda stands majestically like a hidden gem of Tantric Buddhism on the outskirts of the city. In this place, Visitors can not only admire the unique architectural structures but also find inner peace and discover the profound spiritual and cultural values of Buddhism.
- Decoding the historical origin of Thang Nghiem Pagoda.
According to the Complete Annals of Dai Viet, Thang Nghiem Pagoda was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To. After moving the capital from Hoa Lu to Dai La (Ha Noi now), King Ly Thai To ordered the construction of many Buddhist structures, including Thang Nghiem Pagoda.
Legend has it that before the construction of Thang Nghiem Pagoda, King Ly Thai To was sightseeing on the Nhue Giang River and saw an ancient temple hidden from view. After entering to worship Buddha, the King was impressed by the solemn scenery and the beautiful landscape resembling a flying dragon and dancing phoenix, so he named the place Trang Khuc Thuy and ordered the construction of Thang Nghiem Pagoda.
According to the folk legend, Thang Nghiem Pagoda was built very early, around 20 A.D, by two Indian missionaries, Venerable Kim Quoc and Venerable Kim Trang, to spread Buddhism.
Throughout history, Thang Nghiem Pagoda has had many different names, such as: But Pagoda, Phap Vuong Pagoda (during the Dinh Dynasty), Thang Nghiem Pagoda (during the Ly Dynasty), Tri Long Pagoda, Tri Bong Pagoda (during the Tran Dynasty), Lien Tru Pagoda (during the Le Dynasty) and Phuc Dong Pagoda (during the Nguyen Dynasty). Today, locals often call it Khuc Thuy Pagoda since it is located in Khuc Thuy village.
During the two wars of resistance against France and the United States, Thang Nghiem Pagoda suffered severe damage. Most of the Pagoda’s architecture, artifacts, and documents were lost.
In 2010, Thang Nghiem Pagoda was rebuilt with a new, spacious and modern appearance. The Pagoda’s exquisite architecture attracts many tourists who come to visit and admire the scenery.
- A place of peace for the soul.
The Temple impresses visitors with its dominant yellow color scheme, accented with brown and red details, creating a harmonious and solemn overall appearance. With its unique architectural beauty, tranquil atmosphere, profound spiritual and cultural values, Thang Nghiem Temple has become a popular destination for tourists from all over.
Upon entering the Temple gate. Visitors will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Three Treasures Hall. This is the main place of worship, featuring exquisitely crafted Buddha statues carved from jackfruit wood and gilded with gold leaf. Bearing the distinctive mark of the Northern Vietnamese Buddhist architecture Buddhist architecture from the Ly Dynasty, the Three Treasures Hall houses Buddha statues representing various religious philosophies. Surrounding the Three Treasures Hall are 100 smaller Buddha Statues, also painted in bright gold, symbolizing the enlightenment and wisdom of the Buddha. Particularly, noteworthy is the 5-meter-tall, 10-ton statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, seated on a 3-meter-higher lotus pedestal in the middle of a fishpond, a striking focal point that attracts all eyes.
Behind the main hall, the temple built an assembly hall where Buddhist lectures, sermons and rituals take place. With a capacity of hundreds of people, the hall is the venue for major temple ceremonies such as Buddha’s Birthday and the Vu Lan Festival.
Upon arriving at Thang Nghiem Pagoda, visitors can stroll around and enjoy the fresh, tranquil atmosphere. The pagoda is surrounded by lush green trees, creating a peaceful and serene space. One of the highlights of the pagoda is a lotus pond where visitors can immerse themselves in the peaceful and tranquil scenery. Gazing at the lotus flowers blooming in the clear blue water, visitors will feel a sense of serenity and peace in their souls.
- A Tantric gem in the heart of Hanoi.
Thang Nghiem Pagoda was built in a style that blends Tantric Buddhism with traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture. It is one of the few Tantric Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam. Visitors can not only admire Buddhist teachings here but also find inner peace and discover the cultural beauty of Tantric Buddhism.
Tantric Buddhism is known to be unique branch of Mahayana Buddhism, shrouded in mystery and attracting the curiosity of many. Famous for its solemn rituals and unique ritual objects, Tantric Buddhism offers a spiritual world full of color and profound meaning.
As one of the most popular ritual objects in Tantric Buddhism, the Vajra, also known as the Vajra, symbolizes victory over obstacles and afflictions. The image of the three-edged Vajra placed in a cross shape represents the wisdom and power of the Buddhas. During practice, a Vajra is placed at each of the four corners of the large altar, signifying the eradication of the twelve links of dependent origination and leading to enlightenment.
Walking around the Temple grounds, visitors will encounter the Prayer Wheel, also known as the Prayer Wheel, a simple yet profoundly meaningful ritual object. The Wheel is carved with scriptures, mantras and sacred images. When the Wheel is spun, the scriptures are chanted, generating positive energy that purifies the soul, cleans negative karma and brings peace to people.
The colorful Lungta flags fluttering in the wind are characteristic image of Tantric Buddhism, appearing in every corner of Thang Nghiem Temple. In Tibetan, Lungta means “white horse”, symbolizing the transformation of evil into good and misfortune into auspiciousness. The colors of the Lungta flags also carry their own meanings, symbolizing the five wisdoms of the Buddha.
Furthermore, when visiting Thang Nghiem Pagoda, tourists also have the opportunity to participate in the Tantric Buddhist rituals held at the pagoda. These are special rituals, deeply rooted in the culture and spirituality of Tantric Buddhism. Exploring Thang Nghiem Pagoda not only helps visitors understand more about the teaching but also provides new and profound spiritual experiences.
Source: Travellive
Photos: Collected.