Bai Dinh Pagoda

Location

The Bai Dinh Pagoda is situated in Ninh Binh province, which is known as the ancient capital of Vietnam. The drive from the center of Hanoi to Bai Dinh takes approximately 2 hours, making it easily accessible for visitors.

Pagoda Architecture

The original Bai Dinh Pagoda is located on the western slope of Dinh Mountain, nestled within a serene forest. This pagoda features a central ancestor-worshipping house, Bright Cave on the right side, which is dedicated to the Buddha, and a smaller temple that honors Genie Cao Son. On the left side of the pagoda, you'll find another temple dedicated to Saint Nguyen, next to Dark Cave, which is dedicated to the Fairy. With its enchanting scenery and peaceful atmosphere, the pagoda transports visitors to a fairy-like realm, providing a tranquil experience.

Photo: dulich.ninhbinh.vn 

Additionally, visitors can explore numerous grottoes and caves, including Fairy Cave, which contains seven smaller caves, and the Cave of Ba Chua Thuong Ngan (the Goddess of Forests). These caves showcase a stunning variety of stalactites and stalagmites, each with unique shapes and sizes that stimulate the imagination.

On the opposite side of Dinh Mountain lies the new Bai Dinh Pagoda, which was established in 2003 and spans an impressive 80 hectares. This pagoda complex includes several significant structures such as Tam The Temple, Phap Chu Temple, Quan Am Temple (Bodhisattva Temple), the Stupa, Bell Tower, and accommodation for Buddhist monks.
Photo: gody.vn

All materials for the construction were sourced locally and from neighboring provinces. The building process required around five hundred craftsmen and various teams from renowned traditional craft villages, including Phu Loc for woodworking, Ninh Van for stone carving, Y Yen for bronze casting, and Van Lam for embroidery. The craftsmen utilized Vietnamese materials, such as Ninh Binh green stone and Bat Trang ceramic tiles, to imbue the architecture of Bai Dinh Pagoda with distinctive Vietnamese characteristics.

Worshiping Monuments

Two of the most significant structures within this remarkable religious site are the Tam The Temple and Phap Chu Temple. Together, these temples cover an area of approximately 1,000 square meters. Phap Chu Temple stands at a height of 22 meters and consists of five partitions. At the center of this temple is a bronze statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, which is 10 meters tall and weighs 100 tons, making it the largest statue in Vietnam. The statue was crafted from high-quality bronze imported from Russia and was cast and installed by renowned artisans from Y Yen, Nam Dinh. This temple also features several national records, including the three largest horizontal lacquered boards (hoành phi) and three extraordinary “Cua Vong” (ornately carved doors). Inside Tam The Temple are three Tam The statues depicting the past, present, and future, each standing 12 meters high and weighing 100 tons.
Photo: dulichvietphong.com

Another remarkable feature of Bai Dinh Pagoda is the “Great Bell,” which weighs 36 tons and is housed in the Bell Tower. Additionally, there is a 70-ton bronze drum located on the Tower's floor. Visitors to Bai Dinh Pagoda also have the opportunity to admire the largest Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue in the Bodhisattva Temple, which stunningly depicts a figure with a thousand hands and eyes representing protection and universal salvation for all.

Furthermore, visitors will be amazed at the collection of 500 Arhat statues positioned on the hillside to the right of Phap Chu Temple. These 500 Arhat statues, each standing 2.3 meters tall and carved from Ninh Binh stone, are arranged in various poses and gestures, contributing to a magical environment and vibrant atmosphere.

Without a doubt, Bai Dinh Pagoda stands as a masterpiece created by both nature and human efforts, representing a significant pride for the Vietnamese people through its unique architecture, cultural significance, and historical value.

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