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Not only famous as one of the oldest ancient temples in Hai Duong, Dong Ngo Pagoda in Cap Nhat village, Tien Tien commune (Hai Duong city) also attracts attention with its unique and sophisticated architectural works.

From the ancient temple…

Dong Ngo Pagoda is known by many names. The ancient name is Linh Ung, the common name is Dong Ngo or Dong Ngo and the name associated with the treasure in the pagoda is Cuu Pham. The pagoda belongs to the Northern sect (Mahayana). According to legend, Zen master Khuong Viet, who had great merit in connecting Buddhism with the nation, built the pagoda in 971 under the order of King Dinh Tien Hoang.

Going back in history, this place used to be a major Buddhist center of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. After more than 1,000 years with many ups and downs, Dong Ngo Pagoda is now one of the two oldest pagodas in the province.

Dong Ngo Pagoda has an area of ​​about 1 hectare with an open space, facing the main road opposite the village well, further away is the Thai Binh River embankment. The choice of a suitable and prime location has shown the role and importance of the pagoda in serving the religious and spiritual life of the people. The main entrance to the pagoda is built in the style of a two-storey bell tower with four overlapping roofs. Above is a 1.5 m high bell, cast in the 12th year of Gia Long (1813).

Behind the gate is the majestic meditation hall, 5 rooms, 2 wings. The Tam Bao house is 4 rooms wide, with 21 worship statues arranged in majestic layers. Next is the ancestral hall with 3 rooms, 4 roofs located on high ground, overlooking 2 banyan trees about 700 years old. On the left there are steps leading down to the large yard in front of the Trai Phong and Tinh Xa. This area is built on a lower ground, including two large houses, arranged in the shape of the letter "nhi"... All the works are arranged harmoniously and reasonably.

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Ngo Cave Pagoda
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has open space
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is a place that preserves many historical and cultural values
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bearing the mark of the Northern sect

According to the inscription on the temple roof: “In the second year of Taiping, the Kuangyue Emperor issued an edict to build a temple. In the first year of Dai Chinh, the edict was issued to separate the temple from the Taoist temple."The person who built the pagoda was Zen master Khuong Viet, and the monk Dao Chu, who was the abbot here, had the merit of restoring it in 1530. The pagoda was restored many times during the Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasties. At the pagoda, there are still many large foundations and roof tiles, which are vestiges of the Ly and Tran dynasties.

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The pagoda was renovated many times during the Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasties. There are still many large foundations and roof tiles in the pagoda, which are vestiges of the Ly and Tran dynasties.

With ancient arches

bearing the architectural features of the Ly and Tran dynasties

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In the past, the pagoda was large in scale, now it is smaller but has a square layout. Over time, many structures in the pagoda were destroyed by war, some were damaged by weathering. After the country's reunification, the pagoda was restored and many new items were built such as the main hall, three-door gate, bell tower, upper hall, ancestor's house, Nine-grade lotus, Holy Mother's temple...

Along with its long history, Dong Ngo Pagoda is also known as a place that preserves a unique architectural masterpiece, the quintessence of traditional wood carving art in Buddhist works, the Nine-Piece Lotus, which is over 330 years old. The Nine-Piece Palace was built by monk Chan Nguyen in the 13th year of Chinh Hoa (1692). To build this Nine-Piece Palace, he went everywhere to find workers, including famous artisans from the capital. The project began construction in 1688 and was not completed until 1692.

The Nine-Piece Lotus Tower not only promotes the spirit of charity of Buddhism but also represents the development of the Truc Lam Zen sect. The pagodas that built the Nine-Piece Lotus Tower are Buddhist centers or are associated with famous Zen masters.

Thanks to its important contribution to the development of Buddhism as well as preserving historical and cultural values ​​through the ages, Dong Ngo Pagoda was ranked as a national monument in 1974. Venerable Thich Thanh Thang, abbot of Dong Ngo Pagoda, proudly said: "Dong Ngo Pagoda is a symbol of the eternal value of Buddhism, a symbol of unique and sophisticated Buddhist architecture."

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... to the tourist spot

The Nine-Piece Lotus is a unique highlight that attracts Buddhists and tourists to visit and worship Dong Ngo Pagoda. This nine-piece building was recognized as a national treasure in 2016 and currently the whole country has only 3 nine-piece buildings dating from the 17th-18th centuries, including the nine-piece building at Dong Ngo Pagoda.

There is a belief that the Nine-Piece Lotus is a mortar used to grind rice, the more it is turned, the more good luck and wealth it brings. According to the "Kien khai Cuu pham lien hoa bi ky" (1692) kept at the pagoda, the Nine-Piece is over 5m high, with a cross-section of 6 equal sides, 9 floors symbolizing 9 lotus flowers stacked on top of each other. Each side is attached with 3 Buddha statues, in the middle is Amitabha Buddha, on both sides are statues of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta, also on the sides are statues of Amitabha Buddha and Manjushri, Bodhisattva Puxian. There are 163 statues in total. The statues are the size of an upper arm, crafted from wood, and gilded very delicately.

Overall, the nine-tiered building is a unique architecture of the boundless, mysterious, and layered world of Buddhism. In the past, the nine-tiered building could rotate around its axis. Over time, the nine-tiered building can no longer rotate. Of the 163 ancient statues on the nine-tiered building, 60 have been stolen by thieves.

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The building is a unique architectural symbol of Buddhism.
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has profound educational significance
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about the good values ​​of Buddhism

Not only preserving valuable spiritual artifacts, Dong Ngo Pagoda is also the place to store a massive stone museum. This is the result of more than 30 years of searching and collecting efforts by Venerable Thich Thanh Thang. Currently, the pagoda has thousands of farming tools and stone objects such as stone axes, stone pillars, stone mortars, stone steles, stone slabs, stone dogs... In addition to traveling to all the provinces and cities in the North to search for and transport stone objects to the pagoda, the monk's dedication is also shown through the delicate and methodical arrangement of the stone objects.

Stone shafts are used to create water wells and walls. Stone mortars are used to make flower pots and stone slabs are carefully arranged in rows and ways with various sizes and weights. In particular, in the temple grounds, there is a map of Vietnam 30 m long and 10 m wide, made from 300 stone mortars. Thanks to this, inanimate stone objects that are no longer useful in modern life become soulful, contributing to creating a peaceful space imbued with the breath of a Northern village.

The unique collection of stone objects at Dong Ngo Pagoda always attracts the attention of visitors from all over the world. Besides, this is also a vivid lesson plan to teach the younger generation about history, culture and national quintessence. Ms. Tran Thi Tu, a teacher at Tien Tien Primary School, said that the students in the school are very interested in the practical lessons at Dong Ngo Pagoda.

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Unique stone museum at Dong Ngo pagoda
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and 2 banyan trees about 700 years old
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create excitement for people when they come to visit and worship
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and learn about the activities
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take place at the temple

Here, students learn, experience, see and hear the material and spiritual values ​​of Buddhism and the culture of the Red River Delta in the past. Teachers and students look back to the past to appreciate the present and look forward to the future. Ms. Tu said: "The practical lessons at Dong Ngo Pagoda are very useful and practical, helping students appreciate historical and cultural values."

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Dong Ngo Pagoda attracts visitors with its simple, ordinary things but containing many profound values ​​and philosophies. When visiting the pagoda, visitors not only find a sense of peace and serenity but also appreciate the historical and cultural values ​​of the nation. Ms. Vu Thi Ngai, who has been taking care of the pagoda for many years, said that in recent years, Dong Ngo Pagoda has attracted many people to visit and worship. People come and tell each other about the unique and special features of the pagoda.

Recently, along with the Cap Nhat temple and communal house, the pagoda was recognized as a tourist destination of the province. Ms. Ngai said:"Becoming a tourist destination, Dong Ngo Pagoda will spread its long-standing spiritual, historical and cultural values. However, the pagoda still needs investment and renovation to preserve and promote its precious assets.

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In order for the spiritual, historical and cultural values ​​at the pagoda to continue to be preserved and promoted, worthy of being one of the province's special tourist attractions, the pagoda needs to be invested in and embellished further.

To get to Dong Ngo Pagoda, visitors can refer to the instructions or scan the QR code below:

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Content:NGUYEN MO

Graphics: HA KIEN

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