Thien Tuong Pagoda - Hoan Chau's second famous scenic spot

Thien Tuong Pagoda is hidden on the slopes of Thien Tuong mountain in the Ngan Hong range.

Thien Tuong Pagoda was built in the 14th century, during the Tran Dynasty, on Thien Tuong Mountain of the Hong Linh Range in the old Quynh Lam Village, now Trung Luong Ward (Hong Linh Town). The pagoda was once considered "Hoan Chau's second most famous scenic spot". (behind Huong Tich Pagoda, Can Loc District). The direction of the pagoda was chosen by our ancestors according to the theory of "Tien Thuy, Hau Son". The pagoda was built in the shape of the letter T, including: Thuong Tinh, Ha Tinh, Monk's House, and Bodhidharma Temple.

The ancient Tam Quan gate leads into the temple.

According to the story of Venerable Thich Chanh Thanh - Head of the Buddhist Executive Committee of Hong Linh town, Abbot of Thien Tuong pagoda: Legend has it that before choosing the land to build a pagoda to enlighten Buddhism, Venerable Thich Khuong Lo dreamed of a white elephant from Heaven coming to the top to reside here. In the morning, the Venerable looked and saw footprints and a rock that looked very similar to an elephant, so he officially chose this land to build a pagoda and named it Thien Tuong (heavenly elephant).

Around the beginning of the 17th century, the Chinese Zen master Chuyet Cong and his disciples came to Vietnam to spread Buddhism. When they passed by here, they saw the poetic, quiet, and solemn scenery, so they stopped to practice at the temple for nearly 3 years before continuing their pilgrimage to the North to establish the Lam Te Zen sect in the North. Therefore, Thien Tuong is considered the ancestral temple of Buddhism in the Central region.

The Ha Tinh Palace is arranged with an altar to worship the Three Jewels.

Over 700 years have passed since Venerable Thich Khuong Lo opened the mountain, broke the rock to build the pagoda, Zen Master Chuyet Cong propagated Buddhism and enlightened Buddhism on this land. Many highly respected and virtuous patriarchs have come to the pagoda to practice and propagate the Dharma, thanks to which the pagoda still retains the appearance of the ancient temple as when it was first built.

The restored Thuong Tinh Temple still retains its ancient architectural style with the three words "Thien Tuong Tu" above.

In 1885, when the Can Vuong movement broke out, the French suspected that Thien Tuong Pagoda was a hiding place for patriotic scholars, so they set fire to the pagoda, and the pagoda became ruins. In the 12th year of Thanh Thai (1901) , the Governor of An Tinh at that time, Mr. Dao Tan, after visiting the pagoda, faced with the ruins of the once famous ancient pagoda, he had it restored and embellished.

Inside Thuong Tinh is built with a familiar dome, often seen in Vietnamese temples.

During the height of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement (1930 - 1931), the pagoda was destroyed again by the French colonialists by destroying Ha Tinh, dispersing sacrificial objects, and strictly prohibiting religious practice. From then on, the sound of the pagoda bell seemed to be forgotten.

In the 1990s, before the renovation of the homeland and country, the revival of Buddhism in the country, Thien Tuong Pagoda was restored and embellished by the people and Buddhists.

With its special historical and cultural values, Thien Tuong Pagoda was recognized as a National Monument in 2004.

The tower of the Venerable Thich Khuong Lo - the founder and builder of Thien Tuong Pagoda.

With an age of more than 700 years, Thien Tuong Pagoda is not only beautiful in natural scenery but also associated with many spiritual legends about the sacred land of Hong Linh, becoming a destination attracting tourists from near and far to visit, worship Buddha and enjoy peaceful moments amidst beautiful nature.