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Located on a small peninsula in West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is an ancient temple over 1500 years old, once the headquarters of Buddhism in Thang Long during the Ly and Tran dynasties. It was also a place where emperors and kings often came to pray and practice their faith. With its unique architecture and serene and majestic atmosphere, the pagoda attracts millions of visitors every year and was once honored by the British newspaper Daily Mail as one of the 16 most beautiful temples in the world.
Viewed from the outside, Tran Quoc Pagoda stands majestically and solemnly on a small island in West Lake.
According to historical records, Tran Quoc Pagoda was built in 541 during the Early Ly Dynasty, initially named Khai Quoc Pagoda. At that time, the pagoda was located on a plot of land in Yen Hoa village, which is now Yen Phu village. Throughout the dynasties, from King Le Thai Tong changing the name to An Quoc, King Le Hy Tong changing it to Tran Quoc, to King Thieu Tri changing it to Tran Bac, the pagoda has undergone many changes and grand renovations. However, the people still commonly refer to it by its old name, Tran Quoc, and have retained it to this day.
During the reigns of Emperors Minh Mạng and Thiệu Trị, the pagoda was renovated and expanded, with additional statues and bells cast. Despite having a history spanning thousands of years, Trấn Quốc Pagoda retains its solemn beauty, serving as a unique cultural heritage site of the country, attracting many Buddhist followers and tourists from both within and outside Vietnam.
The triple-arched gate of the temple.
Architecture of Tran Quoc Pagoda
Architecturally, the temple's interior is designed in a distinctive Buddhist style. Viewed from afar, the entire temple resembles a blooming lotus flower. The temple's space harmonizes with nature and the surrounding environment, creating an ideal space for those seeking tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
Reflected in the lake's surface.
Tran Quoc Pagoda is surrounded by lush trees and the waters of West Lake with their unexpectedly high waves. Famous scholars such as Nguyen Huy Luong, Ho Xuan Huong, Pham Thai, and Mrs. Thanh Quan... once strolled around here and left behind wonderful works.
Despite undergoing numerous renovations and restorations, Tran Quoc Pagoda has maintained its strict architectural principles according to Buddhist rules. The pagoda's structure comprises multiple layers of buildings, with three main structures – the front hall, the incense burning house, and the main sanctuary – arranged in the shape of the Chinese character "Công". The front hall faces west, flanked by the incense burning house and the main sanctuary, followed by the bell tower. To the right of the pagoda is the ancestral hall, and to the left is the stele house. Within the pagoda grounds are 14 historically valuable inscribed steles, detailing the pagoda's formation, restoration, and repairs.
At each level of the tower, there is a statue of Amitabha Buddha made of white precious stone placed in each arched window.
Furthermore, covering an area of over 3000 m2, the pagoda also features the Six-Degree Lotus Pagoda, consisting of 11 floors and standing 15 meters tall. Each floor of the pagoda has six arched windows, each containing a statue of Amitabha Buddha made of precious stone. At the top of the pagoda is the Nine-Tiered Lotus Pagoda, also made of precious stone.
After visiting the pagoda, tourists can light incense and perform rituals in the front hall.
The main hall in Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Even today, this temple still preserves many valuable Buddha and Bodhisattva statues, mainly located in the main hall. The most outstanding among them is the reclining Buddha statue, gilded and lacquered, made of wood. This is considered the most beautiful reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam.
Walking around to the back of the pagoda, visitors can admire the Bodhi tree casting shade over a corner of the courtyard. What's special is that this Bodhi tree was propagated from the very tree where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment more than 25 centuries ago. Indian President Rajendra Prasad brought this Bodhi tree as a gift during his visit to Hanoi in 1959.
Visitors should not miss a very spiritual natural area of the temple, which is the Bodhi tree planted at Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Value that endures over time.
Tran Quoc Pagoda, an ancient temple belonging to the Northern Buddhist sect, is a place of worship for Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and Amitabha Buddha. In addition, the pagoda also has areas dedicated to the deities Guan Yu, Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, Duc Ong, and their attendants, creating a sacred space with diverse religious beliefs.
Within the temple grounds, there are also many beautiful and meaningful paintings depicting the law of cause and effect.
Every day, this place welcomes a large number of domestic and international tourists.
Highly regarded for its historical and architectural value by the French Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Tran Quoc Pagoda is ranked among the top 10 structures in Indochina. Despite facing numerous challenges in its preservation, the pagoda has retained its distinctive cultural beauty. In 1962, it was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument, affirming its important role in Vietnam's cultural heritage.
Tran Quoc Pagoda is the pride of Vietnamese Buddhism, a destination deeply marked by the nation's history and culture. Today, the pagoda is not only a place of worship for Buddhists but also a prominent spiritual destination in Hanoi, attracting numerous tourists and those seeking tranquility and serenity on their journey to understand Buddhist teachings.
