Phap Van Pagoda is not only a religious structure but also a vivid testament to the long-standing cultural and spiritual values of Hanoi. With its unique architecture, serene atmosphere, and profound historical stories, Phap Van Pagoda is an ideal destination for those seeking peace of mind.
1. Overview of Phap Van Pagoda
Address: 1299 Giai Phong Road, Hoang Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi.
Located on one of the major and bustling streets of Hanoi, this road connects the southern gateway to the city center, making it convenient for both visitors and Buddhists to visit this ancient pagoda.
With a long history, Phap Van Pagoda is one of the pagodas that carries a deep mark of time. While the exact date of its construction is unknown, according to the stone inscriptions, the pagoda is over 100 years old, dating back to the reign of King Thanh Thai. Through various restoration and repair stages, especially after a major renovation in 2010, the pagoda was expanded to over 7,000 square meters, featuring key structures such as the Tam Quan Gate, the Main Hall, the Ancestor Hall, the Mother’s Hall, and the monks’ quarters on both sides.
The name “Phap Van” of the pagoda originates from the worship of Phap Van, one of the Four Phap (Phap Vu, Phap Van, Phap Loi, and Phap Dien), representing the deities of rain, clouds, thunder, and lightning in folk beliefs. This is a pagoda that not only holds historical significance but also embodies the deep spiritual culture of the people of Hanoi.
Despite multiple restorations, Phap Van Pagoda still preserves the beauty of traditional architecture, offering a tranquil, peaceful environment that is also ancient and solemn, creating a sacred space. With its quiet surroundings, the pagoda is an ideal destination for those seeking inner peace amidst the bustling life of the capital. If you have the opportunity to travel to Hanoi, do not miss the chance to visit Phap Van Pagoda, one of the places that reflects the cultural and spiritual values of the city.
2. History of Phap Van Pagoda, Hanoi
The predecessor of Phap Van Pagoda, now located in Hoang Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District, was originally named Long Hung. Later, the pagoda was renamed Phap Van, associated with the famous Four Phap worship. According to historical documents, the Buddha statues at Phap Van Pagoda are over 100 years old, and the statue of the founder and some ancient stone steles date back as far as 140 years.
In 2010, during the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi, Phap Van Pagoda underwent restoration and expansion, making the pagoda grounds more spacious and impressive, attracting more Buddhists and visitors.
Like many other pagodas that worship the Four Phap, Phap Van Pagoda is a place where spiritual cultures converge, combining Buddhist worship with the worship of deities while also blending with the cultural heritage of the region. After centuries of existence, the pagoda has become an important spiritual space, serving the Buddhist practices of people from all over. In addition, Phap Van Pagoda hosts meditation courses, retreats, and community activities, attracting many Buddhists and visitors.
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3. Unique architecture of Phap Van Pagoda
3.1. Tam Quan Gate
Standing out on Giai Phong Road, the Tam Quan Gate of Phap Van Pagoda impresses with its majestic three-tiered roof, intricately carved with images of dragons and phoenixes. The top tier of the gate holds a large bronze bell, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere.
The Tam Quan Gate is only opened during major religious festivals at the pagoda. On ordinary days, visitors will pass through the side gate on the left. Once passing through the Tam Quan Gate, the bustling, noisy streets seem to fade away, replaced by the calm and peaceful environment of the temple, offering visitors a sense of tranquility and serenity in the heart of the capital.
3.2. Main Hall
In the Main Hall of Phap Van Pagoda, the statue of the Buddha Duong Du is placed at the highest position, exuding a majestic and sacred beauty. This statue is the centerpiece of the worship space, symbolizing the purity and power of the Buddha, while also creating a peaceful environment for Buddhists and visitors. Surrounding the main Buddha statue, smaller statues also reflect the thoughts, aspirations, and hopes of all beings, evoking a sense of relying on the Dharma and seeking peace in the midst of a busy life.
In front of the Main Hall, the largest statue is that of the original Buddha, Shakyamuni, followed by the statues of Amitabha Buddha, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta, along with two statues of Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra. These Bodhisattvas represent the virtues and vows of the Bodhisattvas in their practice of the Bodhisattva path. Behind the Main Hall is the altar of the founder monks, along with the presence of the pagoda’s abbot, Thich Thanh Huan, who guides and maintains peace within this spiritual space.
3.3. The Mother’s Temple
After passing through a small courtyard behind the Đại Hồng Bảo Điện (Great Red Hall), visitors are led into the Mother’s Temple area at Phap Van Pagoda. Like many other pagodas in the northern region, this place not only worships the Buddha but also venerates the Mother, reflecting the Mother worship belief – a distinctive feature of the spiritual culture of the Vietnamese people.
The Mother’s Temple at the pagoda is quite spacious, but the worship space here is not as grand as the Main Hall. Most of the statues in this area are ancient, some of which have existed for more than a hundred years, holding profound historical and cultural value. Each statue is not only an object of veneration but also a precious artifact, marking the source of folk beliefs and reflecting the harmonious combination of Buddhism and Mother worship in the spiritual life of the northern people.
4. Meditation and retreat courses at Phap Van Pagoda
Phap Van Pagoda in Hoang Mai not only stands out for its long history and sacred atmosphere but is also well-known as a spiritual practice center that attracts many Buddhists and practitioners from within and outside the capital. Every year, the pagoda organizes many appealing meditation and retreat courses, providing opportunities for everyone, especially young people, to find inner peace and nurture their spiritual life.
One of the most popular and well-received retreat courses at Phap Van Pagoda includes:
- Bup Sen Hong Retreat
- Tuoi Tre Retreat
- Phap Van Xanh Retreat
- Quan The Am Dharma Assembly
These retreats are not only opportunities for Buddhists to release their worries but also provide a space to find tranquility, rely on the teachings of the Buddha, and grow spiritually.
5. Some important notes when visiting the pagoda
Visiting a pagoda is an essential part of the spiritual life of Vietnamese people, demonstrating respect for the holy figures and wishing for good things. To make the act of worship a beautiful cultural practice and to follow traditional customs, visitors should observe some basic rules when visiting the pagoda:
- Dress should be clean, polite, and respectful, avoiding flashy or revealing clothes that may be inappropriate.
- When communicating, speak softly and avoid using vulgar language. If meeting with the abbot or monks at the pagoda, greet them by saying “A di da Phat” and address them as “con” to show respect.
- When praying, maintain a sincere and serious attitude, and avoid looking around or making inappropriate gestures. Especially, do not kneel in the middle of the hall, as this is considered forbidden in many pagodas.
- Additionally, when lighting incense, it should only be done outside the temple grounds, and avoid lighting incense inside the main hall.
- If you wish to visit the pagoda’s surroundings, stand at a distance and avoid making exaggerated poses in front of the statues.
- Finally, stealing any property from the pagoda is unacceptable and should be strictly avoided.
Following these rules not only shows respect but also helps preserve the traditional cultural and spiritual values of the nation.
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Phap Van Pagoda is not only a religious structure but also a vivid testament to the long-standing cultural and spiritual values of Hanoi. Visitors to the pagoda can not only admire the beauty of an ancient monument but also experience the blend of tradition and modernity, belief and daily life. Phap Van Pagoda continues to be a cultural symbol, a sacred place that preserves the soul of the capital with its thousand-year-old cultural heritage.
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