During your supposed time in
Hanoi, it is highly suggested that the beautiful Tran Quoc pagoda – the oldest
one among others in Hanoi, be added to your visiting list.
Tran Quoc Pagoda is located
beside the dazzling West Lake, on Thanh Nien Road, Hanoi. Particularly, it is
seated on an island linked by a bridge to the causeway between the two most
romantic lakes of Hanoi: West Lake and Truc Bach Lake.
The construction of the pagoda
started in 541 and was completed in 545 under the reign of King Ly Nam De
(544-548) under its original name of Khai Quoc (National Founder). It was
initially built on the bank of the Red River (then West Lake and the Red River
met).
Until the early 17th century,
under the reign of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618), the pagoda was moved to the
Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) Islet due to the river bank crumbling and was renamed
Tran Quoc (National Defence).
A cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism – intricate architecture
You might ask yourself why among
a number of beautiful pagodas in Hanoi, Tran Quoc should be visited. The reason
derives from the fact that it is considered a cultural symbol of Vietnamese
Buddhism partly for it is the oldest pagoda and situated in the center of the
capital of Vietnam. More importantly, unlike other ordinary pagodas, Tran Quoc
Pagoda was built in a very intricate way. Behind the worshipping shrine is the
Buddhist trinity followed by corridors, ten shrines and the belfry. Inside the
pagoda, there are many valuable statues, such as the red lac statue trimmed
with gold of Sakyamouni Buddha's Parinirvana, which is a masterpiece of
Vietnamese sculptural art, and lots of ancient stele, one of which was made in
1639 by Doctoral lau- Nguyen Xuan Chinh, recording the Pagoda's history.
No one who has visited this
significant pagoda of Hanoi does not take interest in its special and intricate
style of architecture dated centuries ago. Please come here to feel it
yourself!
A nice tranquil backdrop
It must be said that the island
and pagoda provide a beautiful backdrop, particularly when viewed at sunset.
Standing at one end of Thanh Nien Road,
one can see the towers of the pagoda rising above the lake’s surface. In the
pagoda’s garden stands a Bo Đe (Bodhi) tree, which is attached to a past story.
The story tells that in 1959, on his visit to Vietnam, Indian Prime Minister
Razendia Prasat offered the Pagoda a bodhi tree as a gift. The plant was
grafted from the holy bodhi tree where Sakyamuni sat in zen (meditation)
position and achieved enlightenment in India 25 centuries ago. Now the bodhi
tree is easily recognizable from its heart-shaped leaves, taken from a cutting
of its original tree. Today, the tree green and luxuriant, shading over part of
the pagoda's yard.
These days, Tran Quoc Pagoda, as
a religious relic with a spectacular surrounding scenery, is a favourite
stop-over of so many foreign visitors and pilgrims.
Note: The pagoda is open daily
and visitors must be decently attired, long trousers are required for men.
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