Located on a small peninsula, in the west of Thien Quang lake (Hai Ba Trung district), three pagodas Quang Hoa, Thien Quang and Phap Hoa attract many tourists to worship Buddha. In 1989, Thien Quang – Quang Hoa – Phap Hoa relic cluster was ranked as a scenic relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
At the end of the 19th century, the area of Thien Quang – Quang Hoa – Phap Hoa relic cluster belongs to Lien Duong village, Vinh Xuong canton, Tho Xuong district, Hoai Duc prefects with Lien Thuy lake which filling most of the village’s area. In the years 1928 – 1940, in the city planning program, this area began to be expanded and built. In which, Lien Thuy lake is divided in two. The north bank of the lake was leveled, the east and west banks were squared to form the current Thien Quang lake. The architectural works, including a number of pagodas located around Lien Thuy lake, were relocated and concentrated in the west of Thien Quang lake. Among them, there are Thien Quang, Quang Hoa and Phap Hoa pagodas.
The Three Treasures of Quang Hoa Pagoda
The most prominent in the cluster of relics is Quang Hoa Pagoda. At present, the construction time of the pagoda has not been determined yet. According to the stele “Quang Hoa narration and autobiography”, dating from Tu Duc (1866), Quang Hoa Pagoda were a small temple with thatched roofs. Through many times of renovation, the construction is increasingly large and spacious. The main pagoda face is in the south. The scale of the pagoda is quite superficial with 7 front halls and 5 upper halls, behind are 10 pavilions of the ancestral house and the mother house. On either side are two rows of Guest houses. In the pagoda, there are still pictures and carved paintings with many contents: Four spirits, old bamboos, botanical patterns, etc., combined with the art of embossed and carved with high artistic value. In particular, the statue system here is quite rich and full of characters from the Mahayana Buddhist such as Tam The, Di Da Tam Ton, Hoa Nghiem Tam Thanh. The system of stone steles present great historical values. The oldest are stele in the 2nd years (1821), 6th year, (1825), 12th year (1831) of Minh Menh reigns and stele 19th year (1866), 34th year (1882) of Tu Duc reigns and Bao Dai reign (1938)…
Statues of the ten Kings of the Hells
Source: Internet
Phap Hoa is a small pagoda facing Thien Quang lake looking to the east. According to the local people, after moving, because of lack of materials, Quang Hoa and Phap Hoa villages had to build a common pagoda and take the name Quang Hoa. In 1951, the villagers of Phap Hoa wanted to build their own pagoda. The government at that time cut 2 rows of 3-room of Quang Hoa pagoda for Phap Hoa villagers to build a new pagoda. With the difficulties of the first time, Phap Hoa pagoda has not changed much. Many historical objects are also lost. In recent years, with the attention and support of authorities, organizations and local people the pagoda has been renovated.
Thien Quang Pagoda faces the west, the pagoda gardens as well as the architectural scale of the temple are small and simple. Behind the pagoda, there are still two tomb towers. The main value of Thien Quang Pagoda is expressed through the system of round statues. Due to the upheavals of history, many statues have been lost. The remaining statues present high historical and artistic value. Among them, the most prominent is the luminescent statue of Bodhisattva and Amitabha, with the art style of the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
In 2018, the People’s Council of Hai Ha Trung district approved the investment policy of the project of Site clearance, renovation, embellishment and promotion of historical values of Quang Hoa pagoda, Thien Quang pagoda, and Phap Hoa pagoda contribute to preserving and enhancing the value of the relics, promoting this spiritual tourist destination.
An Phú