Tu Hieu Pagoda is one of the famous ancient temples hidden behind the green pine forest, tinged with mysterious wild colors in the ancient capital
In recent years, the pagoda named Tu Hieu has been known by many people because it was the place chosen by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh as a place to rest after returning to Vietnam. This ancient temple is also known as Tu Hieu Communal House – a famous scenic spot that not only attracts many Buddhist monks and nuns to practice, but also attracts many tourists from near and far to pilgrimage and worship.
The symbol of the place of meditation on filial piety. Photo: journeyinhue
Where is Tu Hieu Pagoda located?
Tu Hieu communal house is located on Le Ngo Cat Street, in Thuy Xuan ward, Hue city, Thua Thien – Hue province. The pagoda is located not far from the center, only less than 5 km away. Moreover, the road is also very easy, so if you have the opportunity to travel to Hue , do not miss this famous temple.
Tu Hieu ancient pagoda is also home to a cool campus, fresh air because it is hidden behind a green pine forest covering a large area. Therefore, the pagoda attracts many people to worship, sightsee and travel. But most of all, people come here because of the legend associated with the touching story about the filial piety of a son to his old mother. And later, this place also became the resting place of the eunuchs of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Tu Hieu is located on Le Ngo Cat street, in Thuy Xuan ward. Photo: Phat Giao.org
The legend of the birth of Tu Hieu pagoda
According to local elders, at first, Tu Hieu was just a small Thao Am, led by Patriarch Nhat Dinh – who was a monk of Giac Hoang Pagoda in the palace because of his old age, so he told him to go to the forest to build a temple. to both practice and take care of the elderly mother. At first, the pagoda was also known as Am An Duong.
Legend has it that when the temple was built not long ago, the Patriarch’s mother was very ill, so it was necessary to have fish meat to nourish her health. Therefore, day by day the old monk had to cross the road more than 5 km with a stick to find fresh meat and fish to cook porridge for his mother. At that time, despite being criticized by many people, thinking that he was a monk but eating salty food, he still ignored it and wholeheartedly cared for his mother.
Initially, the pagoda was just a Thao Am created by Zen master Nhat Dinh in 1843. Photo: Phat Giao.org
The gossip spread as far as King Tu Duc’s ears, and after thoroughly researching, the king was extremely touched by the filial piety of a Zen master in the deep mountains, so in 1848, that is, One year after Zen Master Nhat Dinh passed away, Thao Am temple was expanded and embellished over time and was named Tu Hieu pagoda as it is now. It is worth mentioning that the temple has always been supported by the court, especially the eunuchs and Buddhists near and far, contributing to embellishing and expanding.
The temple is full of moss. Photo: visithue
Because it is associated with the touching story of filial piety, the ancient Tu Hieu Temple is not only a symbol of the Zen sect but also contains the beauty of filial piety, the heart of children for their parents throughout the centuries. by. Especially every Vu Lan occasion, this place is the destination of thousands of Buddhists. People come to the ceremony and wear meaningful pink or white flowers on their clothes.
Lake. Photo khamphahue
The beauty of Hue’s ancient pagoda architecture
Less than 5km from the city center, easy access roads, and fresh and cool climate, the number of people going to Tu Hieu ancient pagoda to visit the scene is often very crowded. But visitors come here not only to contemplate the religion and life, to find out about the “meditation” of Buddhism, but also to admire the architectural beauty in harmony with the peaceful and poetic scenery of this ancient temple.
Architectural beauty is in harmony with the scenery. Photo: vntrip
Hue is home to many beautiful and ancient pagodas such as Thien Mu Pagoda, Thu Le Pagoda , Huyen Khong Son Thuong, Tu Dam Pagoda, etc. Each ancient temple is a historical and cultural relic associated with daily life. spirituality and religion in each feudal dynasty. So is Tu Hieu Pagoda. Even now, the time has imprinted on the tiled roof, many details have been destroyed, but in general, the temple almost retains the overall architecture of the temple with the temple gate, garden, main hall, and rear. electricity.
Tam Quan gate of Tu Hieu ancient pagoda. Photo Phat Giao.org
The first is the temple gate. Overall, the gate is built in the style of a rolling arch. As soon as you step through the gate, you will encounter a semicircular lake with ornamental fish and fragrant lotus flowers. If you have checked in a round of virtual living spots in Hue, then choose to come here on a warm sunny day, you will see the lotus scene all over the lake and the gentle sound of the fish swimming around, occasionally picking up the water. the cool breeze brings. All create a peaceful and pure scene of Zen subject.
The aquarium is located right behind the gate to the temple. Photo: visithue
Next is the main hall built in the traditional style of three compartments and two wings with a pavilion to worship Buddha Tathagata located in front. Crossing the main hall, visitors will come to the courtyard in the middle – where a lot of ornamental plants are grown, and then to Quang Hieu Duong, also known as the Hau row, were worshiping the Ta army ruler Le Van Duyet and many other gods in the area. In the back, there are worshiping Saint Quan, the incense of home Buddhists and especially the eunuchs who have built the temple.
Main Area. Tu Hieu’s family. Photo: vntrip
Tu Hieu Pagoda has a harmonious and airy space. It can be said that each project, whether main or secondary, has the architectural appearance of a unique Hue ruong house that blends in with nature, is delicate and quiet.
Temple entrance. Photo: vntrip
On both sides of the temple yard, there are two stele floors to record the history of the formation and construction of the ancient temple through each period. Many decorative details of the pagoda are distinctly Hue royal style, which is clearly reflected in the carvings, embossed and decorated ceramics with dragon and phoenix patterns in the reliefs.
Exquisite decorative details. Photo: Journeyinhue
In particular, in the premises of the ancient temple, there is also a small garden planted with many trees with luxuriant and lush fruit all year round. Interspersed in the garden is a winding lake with a number of tomb towers of previous Zen monks as well as the graves of more than 30 eunuchs of the Nguyen Dynasty.
The temple has a long history. Photo: Journeyinhue
It can be said that this temple associated with this touching story of filial piety has a harmonious combination of ancient architecture and natural scenery creating a charming landscape picture. Visitors coming here will recognize the familiar scenery with the water in harmony as if the scene at Tu Duc Tomb of Minh Mang Tomb is miniature. When walking on each small tree-lined street, watching the roof of the pagoda looming in the royal palace in Hue Citadel, anyone can easily let go of everyday troubles, feel comfort and peace of mind when coming here.
Big bell at the temple. Photo visithue
The special cemetery of the eunuchs
Famous for being the place Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh chose as a resting place when he returned to Vietnam as well as being associated with the story of the first ancestor’s filial piety, few people know that Tu Hieu Pagoda is also the resting place of more than a dozen people. 24 eunuchs of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Stone stele at the temple. Photo: visithue
After Zen master, Nhat Dinh passed away, with the help of mandarins and many eunuchs, the new Thao Am hall was repaired and expanded into the current Tu Hieu pagoda. Therefore, later, in order for the eunuchs to have a place of worship and incense after their death, a Zen master in the temple asked King Tu Duc for approval to bury them on a small hill next to the temple. From here, the mandarins who suffered many disadvantages had a place to rest and worship for a long time. For that reason, the ancient temple itself bears another name, the eunuch temple.
More than 24 eunuch tombs in the temple. Photo: Phat Giao.org
Possessing beautiful terrain, ancient architecture, and cool and quiet space, Tu Hieu ancient pagoda is the outstanding ancient temple of Hue. This place is not only a religious work but also a scenic spot containing many cultural and historical features of the ancient capital. Along with Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda , Tu Hieu Temple is an ideal destination for you to calm your mind, slow down a bit, immerse yourself in the tranquil natural scenery, heal many wounds and pressures of everyday life. .
Photo: Internet