Lying on Phuong Hoang (Phoenix) Mountain and facing the Cau River, Bo Da, also known as Duc La, Pagoda is among the most major centre of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism.

The pagoda covers a large area, consisting of three main zones: a garden, a main worshipping hall, and a tower garden.

The pagoda was built in the 11th century, under the Ly dynasty but badly damaged during wars in subsequent centuries. Not until the Le dynasty under King Le Du Tong (1705 – 1728) was the pagoda reconstructed and more or less retains the shape it has today.

Compared to other pagodas in northern Vietnam, Bo Da is unique for its architecture.

It appears to be a closed complex from the outside yet features hundreds of compartments that all open into one another on the inside. The special structure provides visitors with a sacred, secluded refuge from the outside world.

“Bo Da pagoda is remarkable for its feng shui characteristics, architecture, woodblocks, guardian god statues, and the largest tower garden in Vietnam,” said Venerable Thich Tuc Vinh, who is abbot of Bo Da Pagoda.

The pagoda covers a large area, consisting of three main zones: a garden, a main worshipping hall, and a tower garden.

The main worshipping hall was built upon typical architecture of Northern Vietnam’s pagodas with eight doors and the Luc-shaped (Chinese word for number 6) entrance.

The thousand-year-old tower garden is located outside the worshipping hall, encircled by an old brick wall. Inside 97 towers is the bone-ash and sarira of 1,214 monks and nuns. This tower garden is regarded as the largest and most beautiful of its kind in Vietnam.

What makes the pagoda special is that it is a place of worship not only Buddhism but also Confucianism and Taoism, which is called “Tam giao Dong nguyen” (or three religions harmonising as one).

The pagoda is also home over 2,000 Sutra woodblocks, arranged in eight bookcases. To date, hardly any of them have ruined.

The Bo Da pagoda was recognised as Vietnam’s special national relic site in 2016.

Tay Phuong Pagoda a special national relic in Hanoi

Tay Phuong Pagoda, a special national relic in Thach That district, Hanoi capital, is becoming an attraction for tourists. Some 40km west of downtown  Hanoi, the pagoda complex is located on the peak of Cau Lau Mountain, 100 metres above sea level. It comprises three parallel pagodas along the mountain. Also known as “Sung Phuc tu”, Tay Phuong underwent various restorations prior to the Tay Son Dynasty (1788-1802) and was re-built in its current architecture.

Bac Giang preserves woodblocks in Bo Da pagoda

(BGO) - The severe climate, several moves and lack of preserving facilities make woodblocks in Bo Da pagoda seriously degraded. Facing the actual situation, the People’s Committee in Viet Yen district (Bac Giang province) will execute the project to preserve and promote the value of national treasure of woodblocks in Bo Da pagoda since August 2022 till 2024.

Ritual held to report to gods on construction of Tay Yen Tu Pagoda’s bell tower

(BGO) - On March 20, at Non Nuoc Pagoda in Phu Ninh commune, Soc Son district (Hanoi), the management board for the construction of Tay Yen Tu cultural and spiritual complex held a ritual of rerporting to the gods and carpentry founders on the construction of a bell tower at Tay Yen Tu Pagoda in Son Dong district, Bac Giang province.

Rural market cultural space reenacted at Vinh Nghiem pagoda

(BGO) – The Center of Culture, Information and Sports in Yen Dung district (Bac Giang province) displays booths to reproduce the rural market cultural space at Vinh Nghiem pagoda from March 14 – 16, 2022 (lunar February 12 – 14).

Many highlights at Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival in 2022

(BGO) – As schedule, Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival will be held on March 14 – 16 (Lunar February 12 – 14, 2022) in Tri Yen commune, Yen Dung district (Bac Giang province). To ensure Covid-19 prevention and control, only ceremonies of this year festival will be organized with several highlights.

Source: VNA