Bao Quoc Pagoda in Hue is a famous and sacred ancient temple in Hue that possesses the ancient beauty of a hundred-year-old pagoda, carrying the essence of worshiping culture dating back to the 17th century. The temple serves not only as a place of worship but also as a center of learning in the ancient capital of Hue.
Located on Ham Long hill, Bao Quoc Street, Duc Ward, Hue City. Bao Quoc pagoda was built in the shape of Khau (Mouth) following the Nom language character by the Venerable Master Giac Phong in the 17th century.
Bao Quoc Pagoda is situated on Ham Long hill, previously called Thuy Loi village, near Lich Doi village. It is currently located on Bao Quoc street in Phuong Duc ward of Hue city. The temple grounds are vast, containing several tombs and towers of the Patriarchs. The pagoda preserves numerous precious cultural artifacts of great value.
In 1808, the Gia Long emperor restored and built three relics including the Great Bell with a weight of 826 kg; 1.4 m high, diameter is 1.2 m and named the pagoda as Ham Long Thien Tho. Later on, because Gia Long’s mausoleum was named Thien Tho Tomb; so the Minh Mang emperor changed it back to Ham Long Pagoda. In 1824, Emperor Minh Mang restored the pagoda on a larger scale. In 1858, Emperor Tu Duc contributed to the restoration of the pagoda.
In addition to rebuilding the pagoda, Empress Hieu Khuong asked for 30 acres of wetland and 10 acres of dry land to donate to the pagoda. Also, she intervened to regain 22 acres of land appropriated under the Tay Son dynasty to return to the pagoda.
In the Nguyen Dynasty, in 1824, King Minh Mang visited the pagoda and adopted the name “Bao Quoc Tu”. Because the word Thien Tho refers to the mountain and tomb of King Gia Long, namely Thien Tho Son and Thien Tho Lang. Later on, the King held great precepts at the pagoda on the occasion of the fourth week of the longevity ceremony in 1830.
The Architecture Of Bao Quoc Pagoda
The pagoda was built on a campus of about 2 hectares. When looking at the temple from the outside, the Tam Quan gate is visible, with a few dozen high stairs that are impressive. The gate of the pagoda features ancient mossy elements that date back a long time, and has a massive scale.
Right behind the Tam Quan Gate is a large courtyard with shady green trees, at the end of the yard is the main hall area. The Main Hall area was built into three rooms with two lean-tos, with elaborate decorations, the pillars, the walls are all decorated with dragon motifs.
The main hall of the temple is divided into three compartments and two wings, each featuring ornate and unique pillars and walls decorated with crockery or dragon motifs. The interior of the main hall is a dignified and pure space for worship. The Buddha statues that are worshiped in the main hall are displayed in glass frames, adding to their solemnity. In the central court, there are statues of Buddha Tam The, Buddha Shakyamuni, and two venerable monks, Ca Diep and A Nan. On the two sides, there are statues of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha.
On the left of the pagoda’s yard is the ancestor tower area, and is the tower of Zen Master Giac Phong, the ancestor of the Bao Quoc pagoda. The tower was built in 1714 and is 3.30m high.
At the foot of the temple hill, there is a famous well called Ham Long well, known for the clear, fragrant, and sweet water that gushes out like a tornado. The well has a depth of 5-6 meters and is located to the north of the temple, at the foot of Ham Long hill. It has been there since the mountain’s beginning around 1674. Later on, Ham Long well water was used to offer to the Lords, no one was allowed to use it. Therefore, Ham Long well became a forbidden well, a sacred well in the legend.
Last but not least, through the many ups and downs of time, Bao Quoc Pagoda has become a sacred and noble spiritual place. Not only a tranquil and peaceful place for the souls toward the Buddha realm, but also a place of solemn worship. Bao Quoc Pagoda is a crucial Buddhist training center in Hue, Vietnam as well.
If you want to visit the pagoda to find some peace for your soul, forgetting the noise and complicated of daily life. Don’t forget to visit the Bao Quoc pagoda once – the famous ancient pagoda of Hue Imperial Capital.
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