Perched on a hillside in central Vietnam's former imperial capital, Thien Lam Pagoda stands out for its golden stupa, striking Buddha statues and Theravada architecture rarely seen among Hue's historic temples.
Located on Quang Te Hill in Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City, Thien Lam Pagoda offers an architectural experience markedly different from that of many other Buddhist temples in the former imperial capital.
The monastery belongs to the Theravada Buddhist tradition and was founded in 1960 by the late Most Venerable Ho Nhan. What began as a small hut for meditation and religious practice was gradually developed into the extensive religious complex seen today.
The pagoda is particularly known for its gleaming golden stupa, intricate decorative details and statues depicting the Buddha in standing, seated and reclining positions.
These distinctive features have also earned it the popular name "Standing and Reclining Buddha Pagoda."
Today, Thien Lam remains an active place of worship and religious practice for Buddhist monks and followers. It also welcomes residents and tourists who wish to explore Theravada Buddhist architecture and traditions in Hue.
Thien Lam Pagoda stands on Quang Te Hill in Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City. The Theravada Buddhist monastery features an architectural style distinct from many other pagodas in Vietnam's former imperial capital.The pagoda's entrance gate makes an immediate impression with its striking red and gold colors, multi-tiered roof and elaborate ornamental patterns and relief carvings.A stone-paved uphill path leads into the monastery beneath rows of five-colored Buddhist flags. Golden decorative pillars and intricately carved mythical creatures line both sides, guiding visitors toward the inner grounds.The centerpiece of Thien Lam is its golden stupa, featuring an inverted bell-shaped body resting on a multi-tiered base and tapering into a tall spire. Its design recalls Buddhist stupas in Thailand and Myanmar. The lower level houses the main worship hall, while the upper level enshrines relics of the Buddha and revered Buddhist monks.A series of Garuda relief sculptures surrounds the base of the golden stupa. The mythical bird-like figures are depicted with their wings spread and arms raised, appearing to support the structure above.Inside the main worship hall, a 1.6-meter-tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sits on a pedestal more than two meters high. The worship space is arranged symmetrically, creating a solemn atmosphere.A corner of the monastery grounds reveals a rich combination of decorative pillars, sloping roofs, gracefully curved roof ends and Buddhist statues, creating several architectural layers within a single space.The bell tower stands amid lush greenery, flanked by statues of the Buddha seated in meditation.The memorial stupa dedicated to the late Most Venerable Ho Nhan, founder of Thien Lam Pagoda, features a multi-tiered structure adorned with decorative moldings, intricate patterns and a pointed spire.Buddhist statues and sculptures of mythical creatures are arranged among trees, walkways and buildings throughout the monastery grounds, blending religious art with the surrounding landscape. Thien Lam is also widely known as the "Standing and Reclining Buddha Pagoda" because of its statues portraying the Buddha in different postures. Viewed from above, the standing Buddha statue dominates the central area, surrounded by seated Buddha figures and sculptures of mythical creatures.A 5.2-meter-tall seated Buddha statue faces east from a nine-meter-high, three-tiered pedestal, rising prominently above the surrounding trees.A seated Buddha statue rests beneath the protective hood of a Naga serpent, surrounded by a lotus pond, rocks and greenery. The image of the serpent sheltering the Buddha is a familiar motif in Theravada Buddhist art.A four-faced statue mounted on a decorative pillar adds another distinctive element to the monastery's collection of religious sculptures and landscaped features.On elevated ground within the monastery stands a white statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in the reclining posture, representing his entry into Parinirvana, or final Nirvana. Measuring more than seven meters in length, the statue rests on a golden base and stands out against the surrounding pine forest.
Vietnamnet.vn
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