The History Of Tan Vien Son Quoc Tu Pagoda
Tan Vien Pagoda, with the full ceremonial name “Tan Vien Son Quoc Tu,” is an ancient pagoda dating back to antiquity. It is situated in an excellent location on Ba Vi Mountain, Hanoi.
The history of Tan Vien Pagoda dates back to the Ly dynasty (the first half of the 11th century). As the pagoda was situated in a remote and inaccessible location, by the later Le dynasty, it had undergone severe deterioration and was reduced to ruins.
During the Nguyen Dynasty, the pagoda was relocated by local lay devotees to a new site in front of the Trung Temple. Throughout the two resistance wars against the French and the American colonialism, the pagoda was once again devastated by time and harsh weather. Until 1997, with the consent of the local authorities, the lay Buddhist Vuong Thi Nhat resolved to call upon the community for meritorious contributions to restore the pagoda.
In April 2008, in response to the sincere invitation of the people and with the consensus of the authorities at all levels, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in former Ha Tay province (now part of Hanoi) appointed the Venerable Thich Dao Thinh - member of the Executive Board - Deputy Head of Central Dharma Propagation Committee of former Ha Tay province to assume the responsibility of abbot and propagate the Dharma at the site.
Immediately upon assuming his post, the Venerable submitted a formal petition to the relevant authorities, the Management Board of Ba Vi National Park, and the leadership of the Suoi Cai Ecotourism Investment Joint Stock Company, requesting the relocation of the pagoda back to its original site.
With the approval of the authorities and relevant agencies, on the 2nd day of the 6th lunar month of the Mậu Tý year (corresponding to July 4, 2008), the pagoda and its devotees held a groundbreaking ceremony to move the new pagoda from the Trung Temple area to its present location.
To meet the spiritual needs of the people and Buddhist devotees from all directions, the Venerable Abbot is currently submitting a comprehensive planning proposal to the Hanoi People's Committee, seeking approval to restore and expand the entire pagoda complex into a Great Forest Monastery.
With an architectural layout in the 'Noi Cong Ngoai Quoc' style (resembling the character 工 internally, enclosed by a structure resembling the character 国), which includes the Left and Right Halls, the Front Buddha Hall, the Rear Ancestor Hall, and the Monks and Nuns’ Quarter, the complex will serve both the needs of monastic study and spiritual practice. The pagoda is destined to become a Great Scenic Landmark of not just national but also international stature. The Main Hall, featuring a style that blends ancient and modern elements, spans approximately 500 square meters and is designed with a roof structure comprising twelve distinct roof sections.
The statues venerated in the Hall include three principal figures: a 7.78-meter-high statue of the World-Honored One (Sakyamuni Buddha), which is currently the largest statue carved from jackfruit wood in Southeast Asia. Flanking the central figure are two 3.5-meter-high statues of Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, which bestow upon the pagoda an aura of solemnity and splendor.
In front of the pagoda, on the left and right, stand the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. Opposite the Main Hall is the meditative grotto of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. Legend holds that this is the very place where the Bodhisattva practiced cultivation and taught the Dharma to the Three Holy Mountain Spirits of Tan Vien mountain.
To the left of the Main Hall is the guest house, a two-story structure (with the ground floor designated for parking) covering an approximate area of 400m². To the right is the Sangha Hall, a single-story, tile-roofed building of about 250m².
Behind the Main Hall is a rockery cluster depicting the "Two-Headed Golden Turtle God Paying Homage to the Buddha and Seeking the Sutras," a one-of-a-kind natural masterpiece of Vietnam
Above the Golden Turtle God are the Patriarch Hall, the Meditation Hall, the Abstinence Hall, the Kitchen, the Lumbini Garden, the Forest of Asceticism, the Deer Park, and the Grove of Twin Sāla Trees, covering a total area of approximately 1,000 square meters.
On the path leading to the Inner Court, to the left of the pagoda, lies the Dragon Fairy Well. When construction of the pagoda began, there was no water for daily use. The Venerable Abbot lit incense and prayed to the local deities, beseeching them to offer a source of pure water to the Three Jewels. That night, the Venerable was visited in a dream by a divine being who revealed the location to dig the well. And indeed, after digging just over three meters deep, a great spring of clear, pure water gushed forth. Ever since, the well has never run dry, even during the harshest dry seasons. In the early spring, visitors who come to Tan Vien pagoda often ask for this water to take home, using it to purify their homes and pray for good fortune. In gratitude to the deities, the Venerable Abbot named the well “Long Tinh Tuyen”, meaning the Dragon Fairy Well.
Beyond the area of the fairy well lies the Avalokitesvara Stream, which originates from the peak of Mother Mountain and a section of the Son-in-Law mountain range. It is planned that the entire stream area will be adorned with 500 statues of Arhats, allowing people and Buddhist devotees from far and wide to come for veneration and to pray for blessings in the future.
Across the stream, the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Hall, radiating an aura of compassion, emerges from the mist.
Ảnh: Thousand-Hand Guanyin
Fifty meters to the right of the hall, a majestic and awe-inspiring statue of the Great Abhijna Jnana Supreme Buddha stands tall, measuring 35 meters in height. This guardian figure watches over the sacred forest, a symbol of protection and enlightenment. Legend has it that when rebuilding the temple on this holy mountain, the young monk, Shi Dao Sheng, vowed to build a statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva. However, just as construction was about to begin, the monk fell gravely ill and seemed to be on the verge of death. Despite his illness, he remained resolute and continued to recite the Lotus Sutra. Master Shi Dao Sheng suddenly felt like all his pain had vanished. His body became lighter than a feather, the room was filled with light, a fragrant aroma permeated the air, and heavenly music echoed through the sky. Due to this auspicious circumstance, master Shi Dao Sheng silently made a great vow: "If I am truly destined to be with this place and can propagate the Dharma here, I pray that the Three Jewels from all ten directions will bless me to build a statue of the Great Abhijna Jnana Supreme Buddha, allowing the Dharma to flourish". This event occurred in 2011, during the temple's reconstruction.
According to the Lotus Sutra, the Great Abhijna Jnana Supreme Buddha was once a wise king with sixteen sons. Yet, he gave up his throne, glory, and wealth to seek enlightenment. The filial piety and kindness of his sixteen sons also inspired them to follow their father into monastic life. After countless eons of arduous practice, these sixteen novice monks attained enlightenment, each spreading the Dharma in different realms. The sixteenth of these monks was none other than our revered Shakyamuni Buddha. He attained Buddhahood in the Saha world and has since saved countless beings. Due to the extraordinary karmic connection with this place, the world's largest statue of the Great Abhijna Jnana Supreme Buddha was built here.
The construction process was fraught with challenges, particularly due to the rugged terrain of Tan Vien Mountain. At the time, access to the mountain was limited, making it difficult for vehicles to navigate. But the immense power of the vow shook heaven and earth. Thousands of Buddhists, seemingly appearing out of thin air, arrived on schedule, and the 35-meter-tall Great Abhijna Jnana Supreme Buddha statue was completed in a remarkable manner.
Beyond the Avalokitesvara Stream lies the Inner Court, an area of approximately 6 hectares, which is being planned for major constructions of national and international significance. This development aims to meet the study and practice needs of people and Buddhist devotees from far and wide. With a total planned area of this scale (over 20,000m²), the funds required for design and construction are substantial.
On behalf of the pagoda, I would like to issue this appeal for meritorious contributions to all people, businesses, social organizations, and venerable Buddhist devotees from far and wide. I hope that under the radiant light of the Buddhas, and with the heartfelt dedication and devout faith of all esteemed benefactors, the pagoda will soon become a Great Forest Monastery; a place that serves the needs of faith, research, study, and the practice of the Dharma for all Buddhist devotees and the general public.
Link bài gốc: Lịch Sử Chùa Tản Viên Sơn Quốc Tự