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The Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda is a type of wooden pagoda approximately 8 meters high, with a supporting axis and the ability to rotate. Dating back to the Ly-Tran dynasties, it existed alongside the flourishing of Pure Land Buddhism, occupying a special place in Vietnamese architecture and sculpture. The Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda, also known as the Nine-Tiered Pure Land Pagoda, signifies nine pure lotus petals containing auspiciousness, or it can be understood as representing nine different qualities that practitioners of Pure Land Buddhism need to possess to achieve perfection. According to Buddhist belief, the nine tiers of the pagoda also symbolize the nine heavens, the intersection between the realms of heaven, earth, Nirvana, and impermanence.
The Nine-Tiered Lotus features nine layers of exquisitely carved lotus flowers.
Perhaps the appearance of the Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda originated from the pilgrimage and prayer rituals of the ancients, who always held a special object in their hands to spin while performing rituals and chanting prayers. Therefore, it is said that each rotation of the Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda multiplies the chanted prayers by 3,542,400 times, helping the chanter to quickly attain enlightenment.
A hand-held rattle of a Larung Gar pilgrim, believed to be the inspiration for the construction of the Nine-Tiered Lotus.
Currently, only three Nine-Tiered Lotus structures remain: at Dong Ngo Pagoda, Giam Pagoda, and But Thap Pagoda.
1. But Thap Pagoda
According to the Đại Việt Sử ký toàn thư (Complete History of Đại Việt), the Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda at Bút Tháp Temple was built in the 14th century, during the time of Zen Master Huyền Quang. This remains a conjecture, as it's possible that national beliefs over time have shaped this story, adding to the "sacredness" associated with the long-standing existence of the Nine-Tiered Pagoda.
The entrance to the Nine-Tiered Pagoda at But Thap Temple.
The tower has a nine-tiered structure, with all eight sides adorned with exquisite bas-reliefs depicting Buddhist stories. Over the centuries, the tower has been able to rotate silently. It is also considered the most beautiful Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda remaining in existence.
Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda.
A close-up view of the base that allows the tower to rotate.
2. Giam Pagoda
The Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda at Giam Pagoda is situated on a stone pedestal, resembling a large ball bearing, allowing the pagoda to rotate. In total, the pagoda is adorned with 144 statues on 54 lotus petals, with a statue of Amitabha Buddha on the top tier, his head resting on the ceiling, seemingly balancing the Nine-Tiered Pagoda.
Outside the Nine-Rank House at the ancient Giám Temple.
The Nine-Tiered Pagoda at the temple has been certified as a national treasure.
Previously, each side of the Nine-Tiered Lotus platform had three Buddha statues, about 20cm tall, painted in red and gold. However, due to relocation and loss, the old statues are almost gone, replaced by new terracotta Buddha statues. On Buddhist holidays, people come here to worship and push the Nine-Tiered Lotus platform as an indispensable ritual.
Exquisite terracotta statues adorn each tier of the lotus flower.
3. Dong Ngo Pagoda
The Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda at Dong Ngo Temple was built in 1692, during the reign of King Le Hy Tong. The pagoda is housed in a building designed in the style of traditional temples and shrines.
The picturesque scenery of Dong Ngo Pagoda.
Unlike the other two Nine-Tiered Pagodas, this Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda can no longer rotate. Sixty statues on the pagoda had also been stolen previously, and only after the temple was renovated were they replaced to restore the original 163 statues.
The Nine-Tiered Palace is painted in red and gold.
A close-up view of the exquisitely carved statues at the foot of the pagoda.
These are the only three remaining Nine-Tiered Pagodas in our country to this day. They are testaments to a flourishing era of Buddhism, and also the remnants of sculptural gold after the harsh process of time's sifting.
