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People in Hai Phong commonly refer to Phuc Lam Pagoda by its simple name: Hang Pagoda. But behind that unassuming name lies a rich history, culture, and spirit deeply intertwined with this land for centuries.
In Buddhism, the temple is often called Phuc Lam Ancestral Temple because it is an ancient temple with a history of over 1,000 years, which was once a place for propagating the Dharma, training monks, and was associated with the Truc Lam Zen sect from the Tran Dynasty.
Spring arrives with the sound of the Phúc Lâm bell.
Every Lunar New Year, Du Hang Pagoda becomes a familiar spiritual destination for the people of Hai Phong city. From the last days of the year, the pagoda grounds are bustling with people coming to pay their respects, offer incense, and pray for peace. Peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and the vibrant colors of spring flowers adorn the moss-covered tiled roof, adding to its warm atmosphere.
White cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the temple courtyard.
On New Year's morning, a stream of people slowly walked through the triple-arched gate, their hands holding fragrant incense sticks. The smoke of the incense lingered in the chilly air of the early year, mingling with the resonant sound of bells from the three-story tower. The deep, resonant sound spread like a reminder for people to maintain inner peace amidst the hustle and bustle of life.
Inside the main hall, many families respectfully worship Buddha, praying for a year of favorable weather, family peace, and success in their work. Before the open-air statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in the temple courtyard, their wishes are expressed with gentle faith. Beside the statue garden, under the verdant Bodhi tree, the image of Buddha meditating in the tranquil lake further enhances the serene atmosphere of spring.
Visiting Hang Pagoda at the beginning of the year is a tradition for many people in Hai Phong that has existed for decades.
Traces from a thousand years ago, dating back to the Early Le Dynasty.
According to the inscriptions preserved at the temple, Phuc Lam Pagoda originated during the Early Le Dynasty (980-1009), at the end of the reign of King Le Dai Hanh. Legend has it that a founding monk came here to preach, establishing Buddhist doctrines and laying the foundation for an early Buddhist center in the northeastern coastal region.
A statue of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, meditating on a lotus pedestal under a Bodhi tree.
During the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400), Du Hang Pagoda had a close connection with the Truc Lam Zen sect founded by Tran Nhan Tong at Yen Tu. From then on, the pagoda traditionally commemorated the birthday of its first patriarch, "Dien Ngu Giac Hoang Tinh Tue Zen Master," on the 2nd day of the 11th lunar month; and on the 3rd day of the 11th lunar month, it held a ceremony to commemorate the third patriarch of Truc Lam, Huyen Quang (Ly Dao Tai). These rituals were not only religious traditions but also a link connecting the pagoda to the flow of Vietnamese Zen Buddhist thought.
The statue of Amitabha Buddha is enshrined in the main hall of Du Hang Pagoda.
In the 17th century, during the reign of King Le Gia Tong (1672), Venerable Nguyen Dinh Sach, also known as Chan Huyen, acquired land and expanded the temple's scale with a bell tower, ancestral hall, and monks' quarters. From then on, despite numerous historical changes, Du Hang Temple has been continuously restored and preserved by generations of abbots, monks, nuns, and local Buddhists.
The open-air sculpture garden is one of the projects expanded with contributions from monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers.
More than just a place of worship, the pagoda also bears witness to important moments in the nation's history. In 1926, a large number of monks, nuns, Buddhists, students, and workers gathered here to commemorate the patriot Phan Chu Trinh, inspiring a spirit of civic engagement and democracy.
After the August Revolution of 1945, the pagoda was the launching place of the Hai Phong National Salvation Buddhist Sangha Association, where the "Golden Week" was organized and where meetings were held to welcome President Ho Chi Minh when he visited the city. During the resistance war, the pagoda's doors were wide open to shelter cadres, provide food and warm clothing for soldiers; many monks joined the army to save the country.
Hang Pagoda is also the site of many important events and has a rich history and culture.
In 1986, Du Hang Pagoda was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument, acknowledging the exceptional value of this ancient temple.
Grand architecture in the heart of the city.
Compared to many other Buddhist temples in Hai Phong, Du Hang Pagoda stands out for its grand scale and complete grounds. The main Buddha hall consists of seven bays, built in the shape of the Chinese character "Đinh," with a soaring curved roof. In front is a three-story bell tower with five spacious bays. High above hangs a large bronze bell inscribed with the four characters "Phuc Lam Temple Bell" - each time it rings, it seems to awaken layers of memories from time.
The three-story bell tower is one of the temple's most impressive and prominent structures.
Upon entering the main hall, a solemn space unfolds, featuring a system of ancient Buddha statues of high artistic value: the Three Worlds, Amitabha Triad, Shakyamuni Triad, the Nine Dragons altar - the infant Shakyamuni, the Ten Kings of Hell… The statues are precisely sculpted, their expressions serene yet vibrant.
Altar of the Five Venerable Lords (Five Great Officials)
The altar of the Three Buddhas in the main hall.
The Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva statue, with its image of Avalokiteshvara with a thousand eyes and a thousand hands, symbolizes compassion and salvation from suffering.
The interior of the Buddhist temple is impressive with its ornate gilded horizontal plaques, couplets, and arched doorways. The carvings depicting plum blossoms and birds, the five blessings, dragons and clouds, flowers and animals… reflect the artistic style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries of the Nguyen Dynasty, with soft lines and exquisite technique. In the front hall, the bas-relief carvings depicting the journey of Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures are both familiar and suggestive of the profound cultural exchange.
The pagoda still preserves many precious artifacts such as bells, gongs, bronze incense burners, ceramics, blue stones, and the ancient "Aham" sutra collection passed down through many generations of abbots.
A horizontal plaque (in Chinese calligraphy) hangs in the inner hall of Du Hang Temple; below it is a framed printed copy of a Buddhist scripture.
Behind the Buddha hall lies a tranquil garden of stupas, shaded by ancient trees. Here are the stupas of the deceased founding masters of the temple, the stupa of Master Chân Huyền, and the stupa containing the relics of the founding masters of the Trúc Lâm Zen sect. This space is like a quiet haven amidst the bustling city, where one can slow down and listen to oneself.
The setting sun cast its light upon the tiled roof of the temple.
The pigeons are kept by the temple in the garden.
For the people of Hai Phong, visiting Du Hang Pagoda at the beginning of the year is not just a religious ritual, but also a way to reconnect with their roots. Amidst the dynamic port city, where the pace of industrial life is constantly shifting, Du Hang Pagoda serves as an anchor for memories and the soul. Every spring, the sound of the "Phuc Lam Temple bell" rings out, connecting the present with the past, reminding us of its thousand-year history.
