Inside the nearly 1,000-year-old ancient temple in Ninh Binh

Peaceful scene at Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda. Photo: Ha Vi

Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda is located in Hanh Thien village (Xuan Hong commune, Ninh Binh province) which has long been famous as a land of learning, known as the village of scholars. This place is also known for its peaceful countryside space and unique architectural and artistic relics of the Northern Delta.

The architectural and artistic relic of Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda includes the inner Keo Pagoda (Than Quang Pagoda) and the outer Keo Pagoda (Dinh Lan Pagoda). The pagoda was originally named Nghiem Quang Pagoda, later changed to Than Quang Pagoda. Than Quang Pagoda has a history dating back to the Ly Dynasty, built by Zen Master Duong Khong Lo in 1061 on Giao Thuy land (old Nam Dinh province, now Ninh Binh province).

Keo Pagoda

Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda in Hanh Thien village, Xuan Hong commune, Ninh Binh province. Photo: Ha Vi

In 1611, the Red River rose, causing the dike to break, flooding and sweeping away villages and ancient pagodas. After that, a part of the residents in the old Giao Thuy land moved to the south of the Red River to establish Hanh Cung village (later changed to Hanh Thien) and built a new Keo pagoda, also known as Keo Hanh Thien pagoda.

Today, Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda is located on an area of over 1 hectare, including items such as the outer gate, inner gate and bell tower, mother temple, corridor, Buddhist temple, holy temple, ancestral house and auxiliary works. The pagoda is built entirely of ironwood with a system of columns and rafters carved with sophistication. The pagoda's architecture is in the style of internal public and external national, including 121 interconnected rooms, arranged symmetrically across the spiritual axis.

The area in front of the pagoda is a calm crescent-shaped lake with clear water reflecting the ancient bell tower, creating a peaceful, serene, and relaxing scene for visitors.

Lake area

Crescent lake area in front of the pagoda. Photo: Ha Vi

The items in the pagoda are made of ironwood. Photo: Ha Vi

Worship space inside the temple. Photo: Ha Vi

With its special and typical value, Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda's architectural and artistic relic was ranked as a special national relic by the Prime Minister in 2016. In 2019, Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda festival was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

According to Mr. Nguyen Vu Pho (born in 1959, custodian of Keo Hanh Thien pagoda), the pagoda does not have a resident monk, all the work of looking after, taking care of and guiding tourists to the pagoda is taken care of by the villagers.

In addition, the position of abbot is maintained according to the tradition of father-to-son succession. Currently, there are 30 abbots taking turns to look after the temple, each person in charge for 15 days. At night, there will be 2 more people on duty to look after it.

Laodong.vn

Source: https://laodong.vn/du-lich/kham-pha/ben-trong-chua-co-gan-1000-tuoi-o-ninh-binh-1616519.html