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Bat Trang pottery village is located along the Red River, in Gia Lam district, on the outskirts of Hanoi. Not only is it a famous traditional craft village, but it also boasts a renowned ceramic temple. The combination of the village's traditional pottery culture and the spiritual architecture of Tieu Dao Temple creates a unique beauty and preserves the essence of the traditional craft village.
The temple preserves the beauty of the pottery village.
Tieu Dao Pagoda, also known as Tieu Do Dao in Sino-Vietnamese, is located in Giang Cao village, Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi, near the famous Bat Trang pottery village, about 10km southeast of Hanoi city center. This location is not only convenient for tourists to travel to and visit, but also creates a harmonious blend of spiritual beauty and the unique characteristics of a traditional craft village.
This is a unique ancient temple with architecture restored using ceramics, showcasing the cultural essence of the Bat Trang pottery village.
Bat Trang pottery village consists of two hamlets: Giang Cao and Bat Trang. It is one of the oldest and most famous pottery villages in Vietnam. The ceramic temple – Tieu Dao Pagoda – was built on land belonging to Giang Cao hamlet. The pagoda has existed for a very long time. Before 1945, Tieu Dao Pagoda was a hiding place for Party documents and books, and a frequent destination for many revolutionary cadres. It was here that the late musician Van Cao once traveled and carried out revolutionary activities, and his song "Tien Quan Ca" (Marching Song) was hidden and disseminated from this place.
Having gone through many ups and downs and historical events, many of the temple's architectural features were no longer intact. In 2011, when Venerable Thich Bao Duc became the abbot of the temple, he and the Buddhists in the village undertook the restoration of the temple with the idea of incorporating the essence of the pottery village into the spiritual architecture, creating a unique cultural identity for the temple.
This is an ancient temple, restored using ceramics, creating a unique ceramic artwork.
A striking highlight is the system of statues at the Ancestor's Temple, the Mother Goddess Temple, the Eighteen Arhats Temple, and the Son Trang Cave, all crafted from ceramic. To date, Tieu Dao Pagoda proudly boasts 78 ceramic statues, a testament to the talent of Bat Trang artisans.
Many of the statues were made by the hands of artisans from Bat Trang pottery village.
The unique architecture attracts many visitors.
From the outside, Tieu Dao Pagoda makes a distinct impression with its three-arched gate covered in ceramic tiles, and the gate's roof made of red fired ceramic. The decorative details on the gate pillars are meticulously assembled from thousands of small ceramic pieces, especially the two reliefs depicting flying lions soaring through the clouds. The pagoda's name and the couplets on the gate pillars are also made from indigo ceramic pieces. Particularly noteworthy are the two Tibetan-style prayer wheels placed on either side of the main gate, meticulously crafted from small yellow, orange, and green ceramic pieces and mounted on rotating bases that can rotate 180 degrees. Ceramic statues of young monks stand interspersed among the green trees leading into the pagoda courtyard.
The exquisite decorative patterns are depicted with the essence of Vietnamese culture.
Tieu Dao Pagoda is a masterpiece of traditional Vietnamese architecture, skillfully combined with the distinctive ceramic art of Bat Trang village. The entire pagoda grounds are designed in a balanced way, creating a sense of tranquility and solemnity, yet also possessing an artistic quality.
A sense of peace and tranquility enveloped the temple.
Passing through the triple-arched gate, the main courtyard of the temple opens into an impressive space with two shrines dedicated to the 18 Arhats. Each Arhat statue is crafted entirely from ceramic, standing out against a backdrop of ceramic paintings depicting vivid mountain and cloud scenes. Decorative details such as pillars, dragon and cloud motifs, and floral patterns are all made of ceramic, showcasing the skillful craftsmanship and exquisite creativity of the artisans.
The artisans of Bat Trang pottery village have poured all their heart and skill into creating unique pottery products.
From the main courtyard of Tieu Dao Pagoda, you will see the entrance to the main hall of the Three Treasures Hall. Prominently displayed at the front is a painting of Om Mani, a sacred mantra, created from colorful ceramic pieces. This unique artwork, measuring 2x2 meters, sits on steps paved with green ceramic tiles, creating a harmonious and impressive effect. Surrounding it is a system of reliefs, patterns, and Buddha statues, also entirely made of ceramic. Even the steps leading up to the Three Treasures Hall are paved with ceramic featuring delicate lotus flower motifs.
Stepping inside, you'll encounter a system of Buddha statues and altars, all exquisite works of ceramic art. The altars are assembled from ceramic pieces shaped like dragons, clouds, and flowers, creating a vibrant and meaningful beauty. Particularly striking are the two 2.5-meter-tall guardian statues, crafted from a single block of ceramic, which took over a year to complete.
In particular, at Tieu Dao Pagoda, all the statues inside the Ancestor's Hall, the Mother Goddess Hall, the Eighteen Arhats Hall, and the Son Trang Cave are also ceramic-like, crafted by the hands of renowned artisans.
Behind the main hall is the ancestral temple, where four ceramic dragon statues from the Le Dynasty are placed right in front of the entrance. Inside the temple is a solemn space with nine ceramic statues, most notably the statue of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong in the center. On the altar are also two ceramic vases of blessings, a special gift from the people of Bat Trang pottery village, expressing their respect and filial piety.
Besides the main structures, the spaces and landscapes at Tieu Dao Pagoda are meticulously cared for, creating harmony and a striking impression. The walls built with raw bricks give a rustic and intimate feel, while the temple courtyard and garden are designed with unique miniature landscapes. These miniature landscapes not only contribute to spreading the meaning of Buddhist teachings but also create a peaceful, relaxing space, ideal for Buddhists and tourists to stop and admire.
The temple grounds are also meticulously cared for. Each miniature landscape is designed and presented in connection with Buddhism and traditional pottery making.
In particular, at Tieu Dao Pagoda, all the statues inside the Ancestor Worship Hall, the Mother Goddess Worship Hall, the Eighteen Arhats Worship Hall, and the Son Trang Cave are also ceramic-like, crafted by the hands of renowned artisans from the village. Some of these statues are one-of-a-kind, creating a unique traditional cultural feature in the only ceramic-making village in Northern Vietnam.
Tieu Dao Pagoda is considered a "museum of traditional crafts".
The temple grounds are also meticulously cared for. Each miniature landscape is designed and presented in connection with Buddhism and traditional pottery making, especially scenes depicting the daily lives of enlightened masters. With such unique details, Tieu Dao Temple is considered a "museum of traditional crafts," where locals and tourists can appreciate the serene beauty of traditional crafts.
