Bac Ninh Highlights
Phat Tich Pagoda in Bac Ninh | Architecture & Festival
Dec
Phat Tich Pagoda in Bac Ninh is the best choice to escape the scorching heat of Hanoi and touch the peace. In addition to the cradle of Vietnamese Buddhism, Phat Tich Pagoda delivers you to its unique architecture, serene landscapes, and a series of precious stone statues imbrued with sculptures of the Ly Dynasty.
History of Phat Tich Pagoda
As recorded in ancient documents, Phat Tich Pagoda was built between the 7th and 10th centuries and first reconstructed during the Ly Dynasty. The Kings of Ly Dynasty often came there to take place the Buddhist ceremonies and pray peaceful & prosperous for the country. Unluckily, the pagoda was destroyed by war in 1947. It was renovated following ancient architecture designs until 1991.
Architecture of Phat Tich Pagoda
The Pagoda bears a unique Vietnamese architecture with a curved roof and the main materials of wood. It still preserves the Amitabha Buddha stone statue sitting on the lotus pedestal dating back from the 10th – 11th centuries. It is said that the French used the Amitabha stone statue as a stele to practice shooting when Phat Tich Village was occupied. As a result, the head of the statue was broken and the body was not intact. Fortunately, an old man hid the statue and gave it back to the Pagoda in 1954. After being reformed, the statue was known as the oldest one in the North and a national treasure as well.
Trekking up about 200 stone steps, you can admire the largest stone statue of Buddha in Southeast Asia, which took 3 years to build on Phat Tich Mountain. It is for sure that you will have a strong impression on this masterpiece of the national fine-art with skillful lines based on the model of Amitabha Buddha.
Among the remnants of its sculptures are the five largest pairs of animal statues comprising lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, and horses which lie on lotus pedestals carved out of large stones. They are complicated patterns, which evokes your curiosity of Vietnamese sculptural work arts.
Remarkably, the largest Buddha Gem statue in Viet Nam – weighing 4.5 tons and standing 3.5 meters high, engraved out of Nephrite stone block was exhibited in the pagoda from 16 to 22 of May 2009. The statue traveled to other places such as the USA, Taiwan, Australia, Da Nang, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, etc. The world schedule of the Buddha Gem statute has been put together to promote world peace.
Phat Tich Pagoda Festival
The festival is annually taken place on the 4th day of the first lunar month to commemorate the merit of Ly Thanh Tong King. Besides, it is a great chance for pilgrims to have offering ceremony, worship Buddha, listen to prayer, pray for peace and happiness, and go sightseeing around the remains & the landscapes of the Kinh Bac area.
