Witnessing national treasures in the first ancient temple in the ancient capital of Hue

Thien Mu Pagoda was built in 1601 under the reign of Lord Nguyen Hoang on Ha Khe hill facing the Huong River, now in Kim Long ward (Hue city). This pagoda is considered the most ancient temple in the ancient capital of Hue. The beauty of Thien Mu Pagoda is also ranked in the "Than Kinh Nhi Thap Canh" - meaning twenty scenic spots of the Than Kinh land. (Photo: Nguyen Luan).

Legend has it that when Lord Nguyen Hoang became the governor of Thuan Hoa, while riding his horse along the Huong River upstream, he encountered a small hill rising up beside the clear, winding water, the shape of the land looked like a dragon turning its head to look back. The hill was named Ha Khe. Locals said that at night, an old woman wearing a red shirt and green pants often appeared on the hill, telling people: "Soon, a true lord will come to build a pagoda to gather spiritual energy, strengthen the dragon vein, and make the country of Nam strong". Therefore, Ha Khe hill is also called Thien Mu Son. This story is consistent with the Lord's great ambition, so he built a pagoda on Ha Khe hill and called it Thien Mu Tu.

When mentioning Thien Mu Pagoda, it is impossible not to mention Phuoc Duyen Tower because this is the symbolic structure of the pagoda. The 21-meter-high tower has 7 floors, built in front of Thien Mu Pagoda in 1844. Each floor of the tower has a Buddha statue. Inside there is a spiral staircase leading to the top floor. (Photo: Nguyen Luan)

At night, the floors of Phuoc Duyen tower are lit up, creating a sacred and mysterious look. (Photo: Nguyen Luan)

In addition, Thien Mu Pagoda is also home to the Dai Hong Chung bell - an antique recognized as a national treasure in 2013.

The bell is currently placed in a hexagonal building near Phuoc Duyen tower of Thien Mu pagoda to serve tourists.

According to historical records, the Great Bell of Thien Mu Pagoda was cast in 1710 and was offered to the Three Jewels by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu (1675 - 1725), dharma name Hung Long, the 30th generation of the Tao Dong sect. The bell weighs about 1,986 kg, is about 2.5 meters high and has a mouth diameter of about 1.4 meters.

The motifs, patterns and writings on the body of the Dai Hong Chung bell are carved sharply, harmoniously and delicately with symbolic images, expressing the wish for favorable weather, a peaceful country, stable people, and complete Buddhist wisdom.

The Great Bell of Thien Mu Pagoda is also considered one of the oldest and most valuable bells in the ancient capital of Hue. The bell is also considered by researchers to have high value in terms of decorative art as well as the characteristics of bronze casting art and marks the development of Buddhism in Dang Trong in the late 17th - early 18th century.

Possessing many historical and cultural values ​​and located in a beautiful location, Thien Mu Pagoda is always among the top famous landmarks in the ancient capital of Hue, visited by domestic and foreign tourists to visit and take souvenir photos. (Photo: Nguyen Luan)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/muc-so-thi-bao-vat-quoc-gia-trong-de-nhat-co-tu-o-co-do-hue-ar850187.html