The mystery of a Hanoi pagoda with a history of 1,800 years, possessing 2 'whole body relics'

1. Which pagoda in Hanoi has a history of 1,800 years and owns 2 'full body relics'?

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  Dau Pagoda

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  Tram Pagoda

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  Perfume Pagoda

The correct answer is A: Dau Pagoda is located in Nguyen Trai Commune, Thuong Tin District, Hanoi and was built between 200 and 210 AD. The pagoda, which is over 1,800 years old, has been ranked by the State as a Class A Historical and Artistic Relic since 1964. In 2016, two flesh statues of two Zen masters worshiped at Dau Pagoda were recognized by the State as National Treasures. Dau Pagoda also set a record as the pagoda with the first flesh statues in Vietnam.

2. Dau Pagoda is preserving two bodies of Zen masters of the same family. Is this true or false?

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  Correct

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  Wrong

The correct answer is answer A: In the history of Vietnamese Buddhism, up to now, there have been 4 recorded physical bodies (intact flesh bodies or also known as whole body relics, Bodhisattva physical bodies) of Zen masters. Of which, at Dau Pagoda, there are still 2 physical bodies of Zen master Vu Khac Minh and Zen master Vu Khac Truong, 2 abbots of the pagoda in the 17th century. According to the information recorded on the stone stele in the corridor of Dau Pagoda, Zen master Vu Khac Minh and Vu Khac Truong were teacher - student and also two members of the Vu Khac family (some information says the two Zen masters were uncle and nephew). Zen master Vu Khac Minh entered seclusion and passed away in 1639. According to folklore, before entering seclusion, he told his disciples: "Bring me a jar of drinking water and a jar of oil to light. When the sound of the wooden fish stops, open the hermitage door. If my body is rotten, cover the hermitage with soil, otherwise, cover the body with lacquer...". After Zen master Vu Khac Minh passed away, Zen master Vu Khac Truong presided over Dau pagoda for a while, then 10 years later also entered seclusion and passed away.

3. How many names does the temple have?

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  4

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  5

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  6

The correct answer is option B: Venerable Thich Quang Minh, abbot of the pagoda from 2019 to present, said that the original name of the pagoda was Thanh Dao Tu. According to an ancient bronze book kept here, the pagoda began construction in the 3rd century, about 1,800 years ago. After the pagoda welcomed the Great Saint Bodhisattva Phap Vu (the goddess of rain) to worship, it was called Phap Vu Tu. In ancient times, the pagoda was only for kings and mandarins to worship Buddha, people were only allowed to enter during festivals, so people called it the King's Pagoda. Some people also called it the Lady Pagoda because Bodhisattva Phap Vu was a woman. Later, many patriots came here to pray for passing exams, achieving success, and people prayed for favorable weather and bountiful crops, so the pagoda became a famous sacred place. The pagoda is also known by another name, Dau Pagoda. To this day, Dau Pagoda is still the place where students come to pray for good exam results and to be admitted to their dream schools.

4. The temple was renovated and restored in which century?

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  10th century

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  11th century

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  12th century

The correct answer is option B: According to the stele of the 5th year of Duong Hoa dynasty, which is still preserved at the pagoda, the pagoda was renovated and greatly restored during the Ly dynasty (11th century). In the 17th century, the pagoda was rebuilt and restored by King Le Than Tong, Lord Trinh Trang and a series of concubines and princes in the lord's palace. Therefore, the pagoda is very large in scale. King Le Than Tong bestowed the pagoda as "An Nam De Nhat Danh Lam", meaning the pagoda with the most beautiful landscape in the South.

5. Which temple is considered the first Buddhist center of Vietnam?

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  Dau Pagoda

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  Tran Quoc Pagoda

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  Dau Pagoda

The correct answer is option C: Dau Pagoda, also known as Dien Ung or Phap Van or Co Chau, is a pagoda located in Thanh Khuong ward, Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province, about 30 km from Hanoi. Dau Pagoda is known as the oldest pagoda in Vietnam, located in the heart of Kinh Bac land with a history of more than 2,000 years. Not only attracting by its ancient architecture and peaceful space, this place also contains mysterious spiritual stories and unique cultural values.

6. What did King Ly Thanh Tong go to Dau Pagoda for?

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  Pray for rain, pray for wind

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  Pray for children

The correct answer is option B: The kings of ancient dynasties also went to Dau pagoda to bring the Phap Van statue to Bao Thien pagoda (Hanoi) to pray for rain and wind. King Ly Thanh Tong also went to Dau pagoda to pray for children and went boating on Dau river, meeting Nguyen Phi Y Lan.

Result

You should work harder!

point

Do Hop (t/h)

Source: https://tienphong.vn/bi-an-ngoi-chua-ha-noi-co-lich-su-1800-nam-so-huu-2-toan-than-xa-loi-post1743260.tpo