Chan Tien Pagoda - Hanoi
Chan Tien pagoda is planned in-depth, including three gates, a front hall, a incense burning house, an upper sanctuary, a Mother Goddess house, an Ancestor house, and monks' quarters. The architecture of the pagoda is well-organized. The main pagoda and the Mother Goddess house have elegant interiors. Despite several relocations and constructions, Chua Chan Tien has retained its ancient charm.
The pagoda faces west, with its three gates adjacent to Ba Trieu Street. The three gates are constructed in ancient architectural style, with the bell tower near the pagoda's roof. Moving straight from the gates leads to the front hall, which is vast and spacious. Outside, there is a system of rectangular stone columns, smoothed and engraved with verses praising the virtues of the Buddha. To the left of the front hall is the Ancestor house, behind it is the Mother Goddess house, and to the right is the area for the Buddha's scriptures.
Regarding the interior, the roof support brackets, door frames, and hammock pillars are carved with relief images of split leaves, creating a robust and sturdy architectural feel. On the pillars, there are engraved images of dragons, phoenixes, and plants. Chan Tien pagoda is relatively spacious and airy compared to other pagodas in the city. The pagoda's garden still grows various local trees such as jackfruit, banana, longan, and lemon.
Within the pagoda, a valuable collection of artifacts is preserved, including 5 carved hammock doors, 2 wooden incense tables, 6 medical books, 2 bronze bells, and 12 stone steles erected since the 10th year of Thanh Thai (1898); the Phu Khanh Chan Tien stele erected in the 13th year of Thanh Thai (1901)... One of the most famous artifacts is the large bronze bell cast in 1794, measuring 1.15m in height, weighing 1.5 tons, with inscriptions "Dai Dong Khanh" (大銅鐘) and "Dai Thanh Quoc" (大成國).
Chan Tien pagoda has also inspired many famous literary works such as "Binh Ngo Dai Cao" by Nguyen Trai, "Chi Lang Nam Ky" by Nguyen Du, "Chi Lang Tay Ky" by Nguyen Cong Tru... These poems praise the heroic achievements and resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people in the fight against foreign invaders.
Chan Tien pagoda is a precious cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people. It is not just a visually appealing architectural work but also a symbol of the heroic tradition and pride of the Vietnamese. When visiting Chan Tien pagoda, you can admire historical structures, learn about significant events in the past, and feel the courageous and majestic spirit of our ancestors. Chan Tien pagoda is truly a deserving and meaningful tourist destination for everyone."