Phuc Nguyen Pagoda
(BNP) – Phuc Nguyen Pagoda (Lac Ve commune, Tien Du district) was originally a large-scale ancient temple complex including with various architectural works erected elaborately. At the present, the pagoda is the Buddhism worship center of local people.
Gate of Phuc Nguyen pagoda.
Phuc Nguyen pagoda includes many architectural works such as: Tam Quan (Three gates), Bell tower, “Tiền đường” (Front Ceremonial Hall) and “Thượng điện” (Upper Palace), the “Quan lớn” temple (the great Quan temple), house of monks. During the period of French colonialism in our country, some ancient architectural works in Xuan Hoi pagoda were destroyed, only the tower garden, “Thượng điện”, the great Quan temple, the Mother worshipping shrine, etc. were left.
“Tam Bảo” (Three Treasures) building.
Buddha statue inside Tam Bảo building.
In 1999, Phuc Nguyen pagoda was restored and embellished on a fairly large scale including many works such as: the great Quan temple, Mother worshipping house, Ancestral worshipping house, Ancient tower, bell tower, four pillar gate, “Tiền đường” and “Hậu đường” (Emperor’s Harem) (these are architectural works in Nguyen Dynasty still preserved to present day).
“Hoành phi” (Horizontal lacquered boards) in the pagoda.
According to recorded documents, Mr. Nguyen Cong Du, aka Phuc Hien, a villager who worked as a eunuch of Le Dynasty, after returning to his homeland, was granted 12 acres of fields by the king. He saw the village pagoda in ruins, thereby, voluntarily spent money to restore and change its name to Phuc Nguyen Pagoda. After his death, the villagers remembered him for carving a statue and building a church next to the pagoda (called the great Quan temple).
Roof with simple structure.
Ironwood frame, carved stylized flowers and leaves.
At the present, “Tam Bảo” building of the pagoda has an architectural structure of Chinese “Dinh” letter including 5-compartment “Tiền đường” in a style of a vase with the head and wings emblazoned with seal, two sides are decorated with variant dragons.
Mother worshipping house.
Three compartments of “Hậu đường” have an ironwood frame, carved with stylized flowers and leaves. Mother worshipping house has 4 compartments of wooden frame, roof with simple structure. Five compartments of the Ancestral worshipping house were rebuilt in 2010 according to the traditional style.
Ancestral worshipping house.
Statue of Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Tomb towers in the pagoda.
Currently, the pagoda still preserves documents and artifacts of historical and artistic value such as: Buddha statue, “Cửu Long” (Nine dragons) building, Ancestral statue, stupa, lamp, candle, flower pot, incense bowl, etc. are all art products of Nguyen Dynasty.
The shrine of Mr. Good and Mr. Evil at the pagoda.
Bell tower at the pagoda.
Phuc Nguyen Pagoda Festival is held on February 10 in Lunar calendar.
Spacious and airy space at the pagoda.
Phuc Nguyen Pagoda was ranked as a cultural and historical relic by the Provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 1598/CT, dated November 30, 1996.
