Tuan Chau Golf
Thay Pagoda, or Ca Pagoda, is a famous tourist destination in Hanoi, about 25km southwest of the city center. With unique architecture from the 17th century and sacred beauty, Thay Pagoda attracts tourists and Buddhists to visit, worship and explore Vietnam’s religious culture. This place also has Long Tri Lake and three main buildings following the “pre-Buddhist, post-Saint” architecture: Ha pagoda, Middle pagoda and Thuong pagoda. Thay Pagoda is not only a tourist attraction but also a quiet and convenient place for practice and meditation.
Mystery of Thay Pagoda: Image of Dragon and Long Tri Lake
Located on a dragon-shaped piece of land in Hanoi, in front of the pagoda is a large tiled yard facing Long Tri lake, resembling the shape of a dragon; The left bank of the lake resembles the lower jaw of a dragon. The center of Long Tri Lake is an ancient water pavilion, like a shimmering pearl in the sacred dragon’s mouth. This is often the place for water puppet performances on festivals. Not only that, there are also two bridges: Nhat Tien Kieu and Nguyet Tien, shaped like two dragon beards.
Three Main Courts of Thay Pagoda: History and Beliefs
Thay Pagoda has three main buildings following the “pre-Buddhist, post-Saint” architecture: Ha Pagoda, Middle Pagoda and Thuong Pagoda. Ha Pagoda, also known as the pre-sacrifice house, is where monks, nuns and Buddhists visit on pilgrimage and listen to Buddhist teachings. Trung Pagoda is a place to worship sacred objects and Buddha altars, along with other sacred statues. Meanwhile, Thuong Pagoda, far away from the two main buildings, worships other sacred statues, including Zen Master Tu Dao Hanh and the three lives (Monk, Buddha, Emperor). Behind the pagoda there is a bell tower and a drum tower, built at the request of Mrs. Che.
Thay Pagoda is not only famous for its unique architecture but also possesses a rich system of artistic statues, in which the Amitabha Tam Ton statue set is considered the most ancient and artistic statue. From the natural beauty of the Saigon landscape to the profound stories about Saint Tu Dao Hanh – one of Vietnam’s Four Immortals, has made this place more sacred and solemn. Thay Pagoda, with its unique architectural beauty, has become a learned Buddhist center of the Northern Delta, a quiet and convenient place for practice and meditation.
