TOP 50 PAGODAS OWNED VIETNAM RECORD

To welcome Buddhist Holiday 15.4.2013, Vietnam Book of Records officially announced top 50 famous pagodas owned Vietnam Record's Organization. Each pagoda has its own beauty. Though they were built in different times, they always reflect a Vietnamese religious soul in the past. Through history, Buddhist principle had been changed so much to adapt to Vietnamese people.

1. ONE PILLAR PAGODA – HA NOI

RECORD: Having the unique architecture
LOCATION: No 1 Chua Mot Cot Street, Ba Đinh district, Hanoi

One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

Built in 1049 under the reign of Ly Thai To, it was in a complex consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in a square lake. The group was officially called Diem Huu (long lasting happiness) pagoda and Lien Hoa (lotus) tower, but the tower has traditionally been called the One-pillar Pagoda.

One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square lake. Its unique architecture based on the very attractive legend: in 11th century, the King Ly Thai To was very old and had no son. Therefore, he often went everywhere to pagodas to pray for. One night, he got a dream meeting a Goddess of Mercy had sitting on a lotus flower. She gave him a pretty boy. Months later, his queen got pregnant and gave birth to a male child. To repay gift from the Goddess of Mercy, the King ordered to build a pagoda like a lotus, which was supported by only one pillar.

2. HONG PHUC PAGODA – HANOI

RECORD: Having the biggest unique wooden double statue

LOCATION: No 19 Hang Than, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi

The biggest unique wooden double statue

Built under the Ly dynasty, the pagoda was strictly built according to Buddhist principle. Nowadays, there are various Buddha statues displayed in 6 layers. Especially, a precious statue remains until now described a Vietnamese king. It is said that the king did order to carve this statue when he enlightened the Buddhist principle and showed his respect to Buddha. This statue is about 1.52 meters in length put on a platform which is 0.84 meters in width.

3. LINH TIEN PAGODA – HANOI

RECORD: Having the most bronze statues in a tower

LOCATION: Hoang Liet, Hoang Mai district, Hanoi

Linh Tien Pagoda

This pagoda was built at the beginning of the first Le dynasty. Reluctantly, it was almost destroyed. Since 1954, Linh Tien pagoda has been restored in many times. It is worth saying is that a precious tower was built in 2005 and completed in 2007. It is about 54 meters in height decorated with 104 bronze statues. This is the unique tower in Vietnam having the most bronze statues inside.

4. MIA PAGODA – HANOI

RECORD: Having the most beautiful statues

LOCATION: Mia village, Duong Lam commune, Son Tay, Hanoi

The snow mountain buddha statue

The pagoda is not only a national cultural historic monument, but also a “museum” about ancient sculpture keeping various architectural statues in Vietnam. There are diverse kinds of statues namely, 6 bronze statues, 106 wood ones and 174 earthen statues, which are displayed in 27 compartments to combine into a closed area.

Each statue was shaped with its own feature looking lively and harmonious in the minutest detail. The art of sculpturing in this pagoda reached at its peak.

There is no document about when it was exactly built, but there used to be a small pagoda there. In 1632, a woman, one of the king’s concubines that time, restored the Mia pagoda with the largest scale as today. Later, local people made her statue and placed in the pagoda for worshipping in order to show their respect.

5. TAY PHUONG PAGODA – HANOI

RECORD: Having the most typical Arhat statues about sculpting in 18 century, Vietnam

LOCATION: In Yen Village, Thach That District, Hanoi

Tay Phuong Pagoda, a carving wooden masterpiece, was built in the 17th century. The pagoda is a typical example about architecture in Vietnam. Its frame made of wood covered with tiles. The shape of roof is a curve, on the edge of temple roof decorated with a dragon statue.

18 Arhat statues

Located on a mountain, you must climb 238 steps to reach at the entrance. Especially, you could hardly believe your eyes a collection with 62 sophisticated wooden statues. They were masterpieces in 18th century, including 18 Arhat statues.

18 Arhat statues

There is an exciting legend about 18 Arhat statues. It has that they are robbers killed each other, with great compassion; Buddha gave them a chance to rebirth and made them his disciples. None of those statues resembles another. Some deeply seem to be in meditation, while others look happy. They are classic example about the new golden are of woodcarving. Nowadays, there are another the 18 Arhat statues displaying at the Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi.

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