Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda

21/12/2024 38 0

Stone Bridge – Entrance to Sung Nghiem Dien Thanh Pagoda

Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda, commonly known as Duy Tinh Pagoda, is located in Duy Tinh Village, Văn Lộc Commune, Hậu Lộc District, Thanh Hóa Province. It is one of the ancient pagodas that carries deep historical and spiritual significance for the Thanh region. The pagoda dates back to the Lý Dynasty and was originally built in Duy Tinh Village, which was part of Cửu Chân District in the Thanh Hoa region. During the Lý and Trần Dynasties, this area served as the political and economic center of Thanh, playing a crucial role in the development of the region. From the Lê to the Nguyễn Dynasties, Duy Tinh continued to be the central hub of Hậu Lộc District. This underscores that, historically, Duy Tinh Pagoda was situated in a densely populated, thriving area, and was one of the earliest "urban" centers in Thanh.

Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda was rebuilt on the site of an old, ruined pagoda, around the time following King Lý Nhân Tông’s southern tour in the second month of the Bính Thân year (1116). When King Lý Nhân Tông arrived in the Châu Ái region, he found the local people living in harmony and prosperity, a sight that brought him great joy upon his return to the capital. To show gratitude to the king and wish for the nation's lasting prosperity, Chu, the official in charge of Cửu Chân district, oversaw the reconstruction of the pagoda on the site of the ancient one. The responsibility for the direct supervision of the pagoda’s construction was entrusted to District Magistrate Lê Chiếu. The funding for the reconstruction came from contributions of the local people, who also provided the labor force for the project. 

The Landscape of Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda

The pagoda has been renovated and expanded with several new features, including the widening of the grounds, the upgrading of the courtyard and pathways, the construction of a stone arch bridge over the lotus pond, and the building of two large wings on either side facing each other. These wings serve as shrines to the founders of the pagoda and also function as workspaces, guest reception areas, and resting places for the monks. While the renovation has made the pagoda more spacious and grand compared to the old structure, the architectural style (columns, beams, crossbars, rafters, ridge beams, doors, decorative details, and carvings) has remained true to its original design. Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda holds great historical and cultural significance and is one of the very few ancient pagodas from the Lý Dynasty still standing in Thanh Hóa. The pagoda houses many rare and valuable artifacts, including architectural designs, statues of the Buddha, a stele from the Lý Dynasty (dated 1118), a stele from the Lê Dynasty (dated 1604), a stone base in the shape of a lion supporting a lotus throne (similar to the stone base at the Thầy Pagoda in Hanoi), wooden statues from the 17th century, a bell cast during the Gia Long era (1818), tiles with lotus designs, and Lý-era bricks.

The pagoda has been renovated and expanded with several new features, including the widening of the grounds, the upgrading of the courtyard and pathways, the construction of a stone arch bridge over the lotus pond, and the building of two tall houses on either side, facing inward toward each other. These buildings serve as shrines to the founders of the pagoda, as well as workspaces, guest reception areas, and resting places for the monks.

With such significant values, in 1990, the pagoda was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) as a national historical and cultural monument. In 2019, it was designated by the People's Committee of Thanh Hóa Province as a provincial tourist site.

Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda - The Tam Bảo Hall

Năm 2005, nhà tổ mới được phục dựng và năm 2007, cầu đá được hoàn thành. Cho tới năm 2010, các đơn nguyên trong cấu trúc của Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh cơ bản được hoàn thiện, đảm bảo được sự nguyên gốc và cảnh quan của ngôi chùa xưa cũ. Mái chùa cong lợp ngói uyên ương, góc mái “vươn lên như cánh bay”, chạm trổ rồng bay phượng múa, chấn song uốn lượn cho thấy rõ quy mô, tầm vóc, giá trị của Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh hiện nay. Ở chùa, ngay trong Tam bảo, còn ba ban thờ Phật bề thế mà xưa nay, giới nghiên cứu vẫn quen gọi là bệ đá hoa sen hình hộp thời Trần. Không chỉ có di vật của thời Trần, thời Lê Trung hưng, mà trong chùa còn cả dấu ấn thời Nguyễn, minh chứng do sự tồn tại lâu dài của ngôi chùa này. Đó là ba pho tượng Quan Âm (niên đại thế kỉ XVIII) và quả chuông được đúc vào năm Gia Long thứ 11 (1812).

In 2005, the new ancestral hall was reconstructed, and in 2007, the stone bridge was completed. By 2010, the major components of the Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda’s structure had been fully restored, preserving the original layout and the historical landscape of the ancient pagoda. The pagoda's curved roof is covered with swan-shaped tiles, with gable corners that "rise like wings in flight." The intricate carvings of soaring dragons and dancing phoenixes, along with the gracefully curved decorative railings, clearly reflect the grandeur, scale, and significance of Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh today. Inside the Tam Bảo Hall stand three imposing altars to the Buddha, each resting on large lotus-shaped stone platforms from the Trần Dynasty, commonly referred to by scholars as the “Trần-era lotus stone bases”. The pagoda houses relics from the Trần and Lê Trung Hưng periods, as well as traces from the Nguyễn Dynasty, including three 18th-century statues of Quan Âm and a bell cast in the 11th year of Gia Long’s reign (1812), all of which stand as a testament to the pagoda's long-standing existence.

The traditional festival of Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda and Duy Tinh cultural village is held annually from the 8th to the 10th of February in the lunar calendar. Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda, with its ancient architecture, serene atmosphere, and spiritual significance, is an ideal destination for those seeking to explore the history, culture, and spirituality of Thanh region. A visit here offers tourists the opportunity to experience the harmonious blend of humanity and nature, of the past and the present, providing memorable and meaningful experiences.

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