Description

Thay Pagoda (Vietnamese: Chua Thay or Master’s Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Vietnam’s Quoc Oai District (previously Hà Tay Province, now a part of Hanoi). Additionally known as Thien Phuc Tu (“Temple of Heavenly Blessings”). The temple was founded during the reign of Emperor Ly Nhan Tong of the Ly dynasty in the eleventh century. It is dedicated to Thien master Vietnamese Tu Dao Hanh (1072-1116). It is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Vietnam, and the monks keep it in excellent condition. During Tet, the temple is a place of pilgrimage.

The temple is composed of three sections. The foyer serves as the prayer hall. The center chamber contains images of Buddhas encircled by demons, crafted from lacquer and dressed in red. The rear chamber contains monk statues.

The temple has been renovated numerous times. The temple is dedicated to three individuals: Emperor Ly Than Tong (1127-1138), Gautama Buddha and his eighteen arhats, and Buddhist monk and Thien teacher Tu Dao Hanh. It is constructed in the characteristic architectural style of Vietnam. The main prayer hall of the temple contains about one hundred colorful images from various time periods. At the entrance to the shrine are two huge 7th-century clay-mixed papier-maché images weighing approximately one ton apiece; these are the largest of their kind in Vietnam.

The main hall houses the temple’s oldest image, which dates back to the temple’s founding: a 16th-century triptych of Buddha and followers on a high pedestal. A wooden statue from the 13th century depicts a bodhisattva seated on a lotus throne and draped in yellow. It was created to resemble the master Dao Hanh in a contemplative state. The statues of Tu Dao Hnh and his reincarnation, Ly Thanh Tong, are positioned adjacent to one another in the hall.

A modest shrine within the same temple complex is known as the “ancient temple.” It was established by Emperor Ly Thai To in 1132 and has undergone multiple renovations.

There are two bridges with arches that link to the temple. They were constructed in 1602 and are titled Sun and Moon. One of these bridges leads to a small island containing a Taoist temple depicting earth, air, and water. The second bridge goes to a hill made of limestone. During the final phase of his life, Dao Hanh walked to this location and disappeared within a cave. This cave is situated in the heart of banyan roots and is flanked by a modest shrine dedicated to the monk’s parents and a small temple. Both of these religious sites offer breathtaking views of the entire valley. In addition, there is a limestone cave known as hang Cac Co, or “the Mischievous.”

Architecture of Thay Pagoda

According to feng shui theory, the pagoda was built on a plot of ground shaped like a dragon. Long Dau mountain is to the pagoda’s left, Long Dau mountain is to the pagoda’s rear, and Sai Son mountain is to the pagoda’s west. The pagoda faces due south. In front of the pagoda, between Sai Son and Long Dau, lies a large lake named Long Chieu or Long Tri (Dragon Pond) with a yard shaped like a dragon’s jaw.

The roof is covered with large, thick tiles and rests on a frame of four large and twelve tiny pillars made of expensive wood, all set on stone bases; the wood supports exquisite sculptures (dragon, unicorn, clouds, flames). Inside the pagoda, there are three statues recalling three existences (metem-psychosis), Tu Dao Hanh on the left, a statue with movable legs, that of the friar; on the right, Tu Dao Hanh king by the name of Ly Thai Tong 1118 – 1138; in the centre, Tu Dao Hanh Buddha. ’ One should also notice the sculptures (1340) of the parents of the friar, as well as the fact that the files of the throne are intricately carved with Confucian designs (axes, dragons), Buddhists, and Taoists (horn of rhinoceros, precious stones). The passageways on both sides of the pagoda contain 18 Thuong To Truyen Dang and 18 La Han, who were both baptized (Arhats).

Moreover, there is a bell tower in the rear of the building (a bell and a big drum of 1m5 diameter). Behind the higher pagoda (Chua Cao) sits the Thanh Hoa Grotto (Metempsychosis of the Saint). A path ascends to the Grotto of Cac Co and the Grotto of Buddhas (Hang But Moc), which have Buddha-shaped stalagmites. On the summit of Mount Sai Don, one can explore the Grotto of Wind (Hang Gio) and the Sky Market (Cho Troi), which is composed of stones resembling stalls and chessboards.

Thay Pagoda Festival

The event is held in a pagoda believed to have been constructed from the ashes of a Vietnamese folk hero and is renowned for its traditional water puppetry performances. According to legend, Tu Dao Hanh was a Buddhist monk during the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225 A.D). Leading a holy life and passing away in this pagoda, he contributed significantly to the propagation of religion, the cure of illness, and the development of water puppetry. According to the legend, the Buddhist monk’s enigmatic sainthood stems from the fact that towards the end of his life he remained in meditation for several months without food or water and died in that position. Subsequently, the populace placed his withered corpse in the building of the Genius for adoration.

Buddhist followers and pilgrims from all over the world arrive to the pagoda days before the festival, adding to the tumultuous mood of the celebration. The Pagoda is cleansed with fragrant incense and lit candles, creating an enchanting scene. During the festival, there are many cultural games and art performances, such as Tu Dao Hanh’s statue bathing, incense stick presentation, tablet escorting procession, Cheo (popular opera) performance, chess games, water puppet plays, recital of Tu Dao Hanh’s accomplishments, and so on.

In particular, you will get the opportunity to watch a water puppetry performance depicting the legends of Thach Sanh and Tam Cam, as well as cultural activities and aspects of rural life such as farming, duck care, and wrestling. The Thay Pagoda event is a collaboration between four communities (Thuy Khue, Da Phuc, Khanh Tan and Sai Khe). The celebration is held mostly in Thay Pagoda, which consists of three structures: the antechamber, the Buddha’s Building, and the Building of the Genius. The statue bathing ceremony occurs before to the start of the celebration. People and Buddhist monks participate in the ritual. Red fabric pieces are used to clean the statues.

Those who stand around raise their hands in front of their chests and whisper Buddhist sutras in a somber manner. When the ceremony concludes, the Buddha’s holy water will be dispersed throughout the pagoda to wish for abundant harvests and a prosperous life. The cloths are also torn into tiny pieces for the attendants, as it is believed that they have the ability to fend against evil. The procession of the tablets and the water puppet play are the two most notable activities and distinguishing characteristics of the festival. The procession of the worshipping tablet of Tu Dao Hanh occurs on the seventh day of the third lunar month. The local populace says that Tu Dao Hanh had magical abilities and became a genius before embracing Buddhism. Therefore, at the beginning of the procession, his tablets must be covered in a yellow fabric (the color of the robes worn by priests with supernatural powers), and on the return journey, the same tablets must be wrapped in the brown robes of a Buddhist monk.

Throughout the parade, Buddhist nuns describe Tu Dao Hanh’s achievements, first in acquiring supernatural magic and subsequently in leading a pious Buddhist life. Notable is that the tablet and white horse of Da Phuc must precede those of Thuy Khue in the procession. Typically, the procession arrives at the pagoda at dusk. This timing is regarded auspicious because it coincides with the transition from day to night, when darkness and night meet.

Among the unique sports of the Thay Pagoda Festival, water puppetry stands out. The second notable feature is the game, a traditional cultural activity associated with wet paddy agriculture in the Red River Delta. It takes place in front of the pagoda on a pond known as Long Tri. Supposedly, Tu Dao Hanh is the originator of this creative performance. This item consists of two fundamental elements: puppets and water. The puppets are the result of traditional wood carvings and lacquer painting. The location of the puppet show is a lake or a portion of a river.

With its flowing nature and reflections, water can effectively reflect the countless changes in the color of the sky, the mountains, the trees, and the foliage and lend the performance a mythological air. Typically, the puppeteers must remain submerged and command the puppet’s movement with attached sticks and strings. The Thay Pagoda festival attracts a large number of tourists due to the legend surrounding Monk Tu Dao Hanh and his exploits, the stunning setting, and the water puppet performances. They astonish and delight the audience, who also take pride in the inventiveness and dexterity of the artists that make this art.

History of Thay Pagoda

According to mythology, the location was a site of asceticism for the monk Tu Dao Hanh. The earliest building dates to the fourteenth century. Reconstructed in the 15th century. The pagoda is located 30 kilometers from Hanoi at the foot of Mount Thay (or Sai Son, Son Tay), which includes numerous grottos. In front of it is the Long Thieu lake with a water puppet pavilion in the middle. Two covered bridges constructed by the first Phung Khac Khoan in 1602 (1528 – 1613). The one on the left (Nhat Tien) overlooks the islet-based Taoist temple of Tam Phu, while the one on the right (Nguyet Tien) goes to the upper pagoda atop the mountain. The main pagoda (Chua Ca) consists of three levels of buildings erected on a raised basement and surrounded by stones: the first is allocated for preliminaries (nha tien te). the second to Buddhism and the third to Tu Dao Hanh.

How to Get to Thay Pogada?

This location is around 25 kilometers south-southwest of the city of Hanoi and is easily accessible via the following methods:

Motorcycle

From the Big C – Tran Duy Hung crossroads, you go along the Thang Long Avenue frontage for around 15 kilometers until you reach the Thay Pagoda turnoff. On Thang Long Avenue, motorcyclists are not permitted, so be careful not to enter for safety.

Public transport

If you choose public transportation, the bus seems to be a solution. Currently, you may reach Thay Pagoda from Hanoi via bus CNG01 from My Dinh bus station – Son Tay bus station; the bus stops at the pagoda’s entrance. It operates hourly from 5:00 am until 8:00 pm, every 15 minutes.

Taxis

You can take a taxi directly to the Thay Pagoda from your front door. Depending on the supplier firm (Mai Linh, Taxi Group, ABC, Ba Sao, Thu Do…), taxi fares can range from 6,000VND to 11,000VND per kilometer for the first 2 to 30 kilometers traveled.

Private vehicles

For greater comfort and flexibility, a private car or van with a driver is recommended. Despite the increased cost compared to other options, you will save time and be able to stop whenever and wherever you want along the journey.

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