Tung Van Ancient Temple - Where time and spirituality blend together.

Nestled peacefully in the heart of Tho Tang commune, Phu Tho province, Tung Van Pagoda is not only a national cultural heritage site but also a steadfast spiritual anchor for the local people. With a history spanning over 300 years, this ancient pagoda has witnessed countless historical ups and downs, yet it has steadfastly preserved its unique cultural and architectural values, becoming an unmissable destination for those who appreciate the traditional beauty of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Tung Van Pagoda has 7 bays and 2 wings, with a system of hundreds of columns made of ironwood and stone.

Right in front of the main hall are rows of intricately carved stone columns depicting the four mythical creatures (Dragon,麒麟, Turtle, Phoenix) and the four auspicious plants (Pine, Chrysanthemum, Bamboo, Plum).

Journey to the Land of Buddha

The road leading to Tung Van Pagoda seems to open up to another world , completely separate from the hustle and bustle of the city outside. After passing through rows of closely packed houses and busy traffic, we stopped in front of the pagoda gate. The three-arched gate, though not overly massive, still exuded an air of majesty and antiquity with its moss-covered stone steps and intricately carved patterns. The moss-covered red tiled roof and layered feng shui stones created a serene and peaceful atmosphere, soothing away all the worries of life.

Tung Van Pagoda was recognized as a National Cultural Heritage site in 1992.

In that tranquil setting, we had the opportunity to chat with Venerable Thich Nguyen Cao, the abbot of Tung Van Pagoda since 2003. The Venerable shared the pagoda's proud history: "Tung Van Pagoda was built 340 years ago during the reign of King Le Huy Tong and was recognized as a National Cultural Heritage site in 1992. Through many changes and upheavals, the pagoda has been renovated several times, especially the major restoration from 2008 to 2010. Thanks to the joint efforts of Buddhists and the local people, we have preserved the ancient appearance of the pagoda to this day."

A treasure trove of artifacts and unique architecture.

What makes Tung Van Pagoda so attractive is its treasure trove of priceless artifacts, preserved almost intact. Among them are ancient terracotta and wooden statues dating back nearly 300 years, especially the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and the statue of the Mother Goddess. These sculptures showcase exquisite artistry, worthy of admiration and study by modern artisans. In addition, the pagoda preserves many other valuable artifacts such as bronze bells, bronze gongs, and a system of ancient steles with profound historical and cultural research value.

The ancient statues, made of terracotta and wood, date back nearly 300 years, especially the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and the statue of the Mother Goddess.

Architecturally, Tung Van Pagoda bears the distinctive characteristics of Buddhism in the Northern Delta region, with a "Quoc" (國) shaped layout, comprising the following sections: the triple gate, the front hall, the incense burning hall, the main hall, the ancestral hall, the corridors, and the mother goddess hall. The pagoda has seven bays and two side wings, with a system of hundreds of columns made of ironwood and stone. What is special is that all the wood in the pagoda is ironwood, a rare and highly durable type of wood.

Immediately in front of the main hall are rows of intricately carved stone columns depicting the four mythical creatures (Dragon,麒麟, Turtle, Phoenix) and the four auspicious plants (Pine, Chrysanthemum, Bamboo, Plum), symbolizing the fertility and prosperity of the four seasons. The wooden doors, made of ironwood, are also elaborately carved with stylized reliefs of the four auspicious plants. The temple roof is covered with curved tiles, and on the ridge is a hand reaching out from a lotus flower supporting the Buddhist Dharma wheel, signifying enlightenment and liberation.

The temple roof is covered with curved, bead-shaped tiles at all four corners.

Another highlight of Tung Van Pagoda's architecture is the ancestral shrine. This place not only houses the ancestral masters but also an altar dedicated to Confucius, reflecting the long-standing tradition of learning among the local people. The combination of Buddhism and Confucianism within the same spiritual space is a unique and rare feature, demonstrating the cultural harmony of the Vietnamese people.

The largest monolithic jade Buddha statue in Vietnam.

One of the most striking features of Tung Van Pagoda is the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, prominently displayed in the front hall. This statue is carved from a single block of green jade weighing over 10 tons, measuring 3.3m high, 2.1m wide, and 1.2m thick. This jade block, found in Yen Bai province, is one of the rarest and largest jade blocks in Vietnam. On September 16, 2011, the statue was recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records as the "Largest Buddha statue made of semi-precious green jade in Vietnam".

The statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, placed in the front hall, was carved from a single block of green jade.

Venerable Thich Nguyen Cao shared about the significance of the statue: "The statue possesses a bright, soothing beauty of green, very close to the aspirations of every Vietnamese person, always striving for peace. After sculpting the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the remaining jade block was used by artisans to sculpt a statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara weighing about 5 tons, equally exquisite." These two precious statues are not only masterpieces of art but also symbols of purity and peace, attracting many tourists and Buddhists to worship.

The statue of the Goddess of Mercy weighs approximately 5 tons and is carved from a single block of green jade.

The beauty of stillness in modern life

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, Tung Van Pagoda has become an ideal haven for the soul. The serene and ancient atmosphere of the pagoda helps people slow down, find peace, and achieve balance. Mr. Nguyen Van Than, 90 years old, a native of Tho Tang commune, emotionally shared: "For us people of Tho Tang, Tung Van Pagoda is something very sacred. It is a spiritual anchor, a place where generations of descendants always look back to their roots."

The pagoda also preserves many valuable artifacts such as bronze bells, bronze gongs, and a system of ancient stone inscriptions that are valuable for historical and cultural research.

Venerable Thich Nguyen Cao shared: Tung Van Pagoda is not only a place of worship but also a spiritual anchor, a place where people come to "slow down," to "find peace of mind and rediscover balance in life."

Tourist Nguyen Van Sinh from Ho Chi Minh City also expressed his feelings: "I have known about Tung Van Pagoda through the press for a long time, but only today have I had the opportunity to visit in person. Seeing with my own eyes the precious historical values ​​such as the terracotta Buddha statue, the bronze bell, the bronze gong, and especially the largest jade Buddha statue in Vietnam, I feel very proud of the nation's cultural heritage."

Tung Van Pagoda, with its harmonious blend of ancient architecture, precious treasures, and record-breaking statues, is not only a place of worship but also a center of culture, history, and art. It has been gradually developing into a renowned cultural and spiritual tourist destination, attracting domestic and international visitors to explore and worship, contributing to the preservation and dissemination of the beautiful traditional values ​​of the Vietnamese nation.

Ngoc Thang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tung-van-co-tu-noi-thoi-gian-and-tam-linh-hoa-quyen-237960.htm