Dai Bi Pagoda

19/04/2021 08:59

Dai Bi Pagoda (Source: Internet).

Putting historical mark of Third Master Huyen Quang of Truc Lam Zen sectarian in Vietnam

Dai Bi Pagoda, also called To or Tay Pagoda, is situated in a bank of Duong river, belongs to Van Tu commune, Thai Bao ward of Gia Binh district. Besides Buddha-worshipping function, this is also the memorial place of Master Huyen Quang (who knowns as the Truc Lam 3rd Master) and King Tran Nhan Tong (aka the founder of Truc Lam Zen sectarian – a typical Buddhism Zen sectarian in Vietnam).

According to ancient documents, Huyen Quang had the pagoda build in the western-side of his house in 1303 and named it Dai Bi pagoda (i.e the mercifulness of Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva could save and bring his parents’ soul to Buddhism).

At present, in the pagoda, many valuable documents and antiques are still reserved, such as: Bronze ring, Han characters, parallel sentences; Buddha statue system, especially Huyen Quang statue and the statue of two Grand Master of Truc Lam Zen sectarian; stone stele system, especially the stele in front of the house of the preceding Lamas (senior or head Buddhist monks), in Huyen Quang’s tomb-tower which carved and praised his talent and morality.

Staying in the pagoda precinct, the temple of three Zen master is said to be built after Huyen Quang’s dead, in order to worship the three masters of Truc Lam sectarian, knowns as: Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Huyen Quang.

Annually, the festival of Dai Bi pagoda is held in lunar 21st January. This is a big festival famous for solemn formalities and unique traditional games, co-operated by 4 villages of canton Van Ty, including: Dao Vien, Huong Trach, Phuc Loc, and Chau Lo.

Dai Bi pagoda was recognized as National relic in 1990.