Kim Lien Pagoda (Name: 金蓮 寺 – Kim Lien Tu) was built on a strip of Nghi Tam village, on the bank of West Lake; now belongs to Quang An ward, Tay Ho district.
The location of the pagoda overlooking the poetic West Lake, combined with the sacred landscape, makes this pagoda known as the “Golden Lotus on the Water of West Lake”.
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The history of Kim Lien Pagoda
Legend has it that the temple building is the old foundation of the Tu Hoa palace dating back to the Ly dynasty. Former Princess Tu Hoa; the daughter of King Ly Than Tong (12th century); brought the maids to this area to grow mulberry trees, raise silkworms, and opened the Tam Tang camp.
According to the stele still in the temple written by Bui Huy Can in 1868, the pagoda was initially named Dai Bi; Mr. Nguyen The Huu and his wife; the people of this ward; was the person who contributed the construction money in 1631.
Seven years later, people contributed to the expansion of the pagoda. In 1771, Lord Trinh Sam sent Huy Dinh’s gang to dismantle Bao Lam pagoda on the west side of the capital to renovate this pagoda and rename it, Kim Lien.
The architecture of Kim Lien Pagoda
The Tam Quan (Three Gate) of Kim Lien Pagoda is a very unique architectural work; It looks like a lotus flower blooming on the surface of Tay Ho in four seasons.
The details on the wood are embossed, carved in the shape of a dragon, with delicate flowers and leaves. The head of the roof is bent and attached with a four-element shape made of ceramic.
The three painted words “Kim Lien Tu” meaning “Golden Lotus Temple” is located in the middle of the temple door.
From Tam Quan to the temple, visitors have to pass through a large yard. In this yard, there is still a stone stele of 0.8×1.2m in size with many beautiful embossed figures.
According to researchers, this is one of the remaining ancient steles in Hanoi; It was built in the first Thai Hoa year, the reign of King Le Nhan Tong in 1443.
The present appearance of the pagoda is due to the restoration in 1792 with the “三” style, consisting of three parallel lines.
The three folds of the house have two roofs in the style of a stack of matches, scaled tiles, soft wooden blades, and sophisticated carvings.
Seen from the side of the pagoda, two roof floors radiate out to four sides with 24 tall roof leaves rising up into the air to create 24 blades, displaying the ingenuity in the architecture of the ancients.
Where is Kim Lien Pagoda
The pagoda is located northeast of West Lake, in Nghi Tam village, Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi.
Tips
- Dress simply cleanly, especially do not wear short skirts, shorts, revealing … Do not let children run wild with three jewels, play with sacrifices, touch Buddha statues …
- Principle of entry and exit: When passing through the gate of Tam Quan to the temple; should go in the door of Jiazhong (right) and exit through the door of Khong Quan (left). Trung Quan Gate (in the middle) is only for kings, monks, and dignitaries.
- Not running back and forth, talking, commenting, sitting, or lying in the Buddhist hall. Do not arbitrarily sneeze a runny nose, or spit … around the area of the Buddha Hall, the Three Jewels.
- Do not arbitrarily use or take any furniture of the temple to make your own. In the Buddhist hall, the Three Jewels, you should not wear shoes, chew betel nuts, or smoke.
- Should turn off the phone or vibrate before entering the temple, especially preparing to light incense and worship.
- You should not light incense in a temple, because outside there is an incense burner.
- Should not take photos or videos arbitrarily in the temple; When standing and praying, you should not stand upright, you should stand diagonally to one side.
