A pilgrimage to find inner peace
Địa Tạng Phi Lai, formerly called Đùng Pagoda, is nestled against a mountain. — VNS Photos Lương Hương |
Taking short, unplanned trips has been a favourite activity for my friends and I, whenever we want a brief escape from the bustling city life. On a recent trip this month, we visited Địa Tạng Phi Lai, an ancient pagoda in the northern province of Hà Nam that has been drawing pilgrims and travellers from near and far.
The pagoda is located in Ninh Trung Village, about 70km from Hà Nội. The distance enables visitors to drive there themselves in about one hour by car or motorbike, take a coach from Giáp Bát or Mỹ Đình coach station, or book a van.
Địa Tạng Phi Lai, formerly called Đùng Pagoda, is nestled against a mountain. According to local elders, the pagoda was built in the 11th century and comprised more than 100 structures. It is said that Emperor Trần Nghệ Tông (1321-1395) spent some time here in seclusion, and Emperor Tự Đức (1829-1883) prayed for descendants in this place.
Over time, natural disasters and wars significantly deteriorated the structure and the landscape of the original pagoda. It was abandoned until December 2015 when Venerable Thích Minh Quang took over it and began the restoration, renaming the pagoda to Địa Tạng Phi Lai.
"Địa Tạng" is the title of a Bodhisattva who has a great aspiration to save and liberate all souls. Therefore, whenever the name of the pagoda is mentioned, it reminds each of us of that aspiration, urging us to choose compassionate thoughts and a way of life for the benefit of all.
The pagoda has become a must-visit site for thousands in the past five years, especially during the Lunar New Year festive season. This spiritual tourism destination charms visitors with its majestic yet serene landscape, tranquillity and unique architectural features.
At this sacred site, we followed a narrow path that runs through vast paddy fields on both sides. The air enveloped us with its refreshing coolness. Upon reaching the entrance of the pagoda, we were greeted by a landscape seemingly untouched by the passage of time – a harmonious blend of vibrant greenery and a mountain backdrop.
Standing out amidst this space are beds of white pebbles, adorned with carefully placed tiles and stones, forming pathways. Twelve circles are intricately drawn on the pebble ground, symbolising the twelve connections or karmic ties of human beings. There is a signboard that reads Khổ hải (biển khổ) vì là biển nên xin hãy đi lên bờ (The sea of sufferings is a sea, so please walk on the shore), gently reminding visitors to walk on the smooth stones instead of stepping on the pebbles.
Twelve circles are intricately drawn on the pebble ground, symbolising the twelve connections or karmic ties of human beings. |
The layers of white pebbles create a sense of purity and cleanliness, where every step feels like gliding on gentle waves. Wind chimes are a special feature at Địa Tạng Phi Lai Pagoda. Rows of wind chimes produce a joyous symphony of sound, offering a sense of light happiness and tranquillity.
The typical architecture of a pagoda in northern Việt Nam harmoniously blends with surrounding nature, which is also the most remarkable feature of this place. The largest building in the pagoda is the Tam Bảo (Three Jewels) hall, housing the statue of Đức Địa Tạng (Earth Store Bodhisattva) at its centre.
To its right is the ancestor worship hall, where 42 generations of abbots who once presided over the pagoda are honoured. There is a small temple dedicated to the Bodhisattva Quan Thế Âm (Avalokitesvara), as well as shrines for revered figures such as Đức Ông (Ancestral Master) and Đức Thánh Hiền (Holy Virtuous).
The pagoda also features residential quarters for monks and lay Buddhists who reside within the temple grounds, and a lecture hall where the resident abbot delivers daily sermons and conducts meditation sessions. This area serves as a gathering place for monks and lay practitioners to listen to the teachings and participate in retreats.
Visitors from afar who wish to partake in retreats and immerse themselves in the experiences offered by the pagoda can stay in guest accommodations provided at the pagoda.
Crowds of people flock here not only to pray for all things good for themselves and their families, but also to immerse themselves in spiritual places and to be guided towards the fundamental values of Buddhism to find solace and inner peace. Many young people have visited the pagoda to capture beautiful memories in the serene space.
Crowds of people flock here to pray and to find solace and inner peace. |
For those who love reading, especially books that nourish the soul, this is truly a paradise with an impressive number of books covering the walls. Additionally, you can also walk in the peaceful space of the pagoda to enjoy tea, observe the koi fish swimming around the ponds or admire the orchids behind the ancestral hall.
To have an overview of the surrounding scenery, we took the small path up the mountain behind Địa Tạng Phi Lai Pagoda. It doesn't have any signposts, allowing each person to choose their own route to explore. There are some resting places along the way, exhibiting each growing phase of Địa Tạng Bodhisattva from a young boy until attaining enlightenment.
“I have visited many pagodas before but Địa Tạng Phi Lai seems to impress me the most with its fresh, peaceful and serene atmosphere, as well as the poetic surrounding landscape. I feel like I myself have been salvaged,” said Nguyễn Thị Hạnh, a 56-year-old visitor from Hà Nội.
“It is such a peaceful sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life. I will certainly come back,” she added.
See also
Vietnamese Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village hosts numerous activities in May
07:00 | 09/05/2024 Tourism
Fansipan Rose Festival 2024 offers tourists fascinating experiences
06:00 | 08/05/2024 Tourism
Green transformation in tourism starts with correct understanding, awareness: expert
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Tourism
7 places that are worth a visit in Điện Biên
06:00 | 05/05/2024 Tourism
HCM City achieves $127 million in tourism revenue over five-day holiday
06:00 | 04/05/2024 Tourism
Lang Son Geopark well-prepared for global recognition
06:00 | 03/05/2024 Tourism
See more news
8 mln tourists recorded during just-ended holidays
06:00 | 03/05/2024 Tourism
Hải Phòng kicks off Red Flamboyant Festival receiving UNESCO recognition
11:37 | 02/05/2024 Tourism
Flower Season Is Full Bloom In Sơn Trà Forest
06:00 | 01/05/2024 Tourism
Carnaval Ha Long 2024 kicks off
10:35 | 30/04/2024 Tourism
Miss Tourism Việt Nam 2024 contest kicks off
07:49 | 29/04/2024 Tourism
Central hub promotes its role as leading MICE destination
06:00 | 29/04/2024 Tourism
Tourists come in great numbers to Điện Biên Phủ
06:00 | 27/04/2024 Tourism
Bình Thuận introduces diverse activities for upcoming holiday
06:00 | 25/04/2024 Tourism
Ha Long Carnaval Festival 2024
06:00 | 25/04/2024 Tourism
Hà Nội's famous landmarks feature in new Kenny G video
10:56 | 23/04/2024 Tourism
VN adds over 110,000 new securities accounts in April, bringing total to 7.7 million
08:00 | 09/05/2024 Economy
35 localities piloting four-wheel EVs for tourists, despite no official legal regulations
07:00 | 09/05/2024 Science - Technology
Vietnamese Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village hosts numerous activities in May
07:00 | 09/05/2024 Tourism
Government approves the Red River Delta Region Master Plan
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Society
PM orders intensified carbon credit supervision
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Environment
Multimedia
Vietnamese Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village hosts numerous activities in May
07:00 | 09/05/2024 Tourism
European Literary Days focuses on gender
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Lifestyle
Green transformation in tourism starts with correct understanding, awareness: expert
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Tourism
Vietnamese celebrated director to head jury at Shanghai International Film Festival
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Lifestyle
HCM City achieves $127 million in tourism revenue over five-day holiday
06:00 | 04/05/2024 Tourism
New law on industrial parks proposed to lure in high quality investment capital flow
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Policy
Decree fosters industrial cluster development
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Policy
Decree regulates conditions for cars from abroad to Việt Nam
06:00 | 06/05/2024 Policy
Fresh policies come into effect in May 2024
06:00 | 03/05/2024 Policy
Rooftop solar power trading is a no, for now
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Energy
Thai Nguyen energizes rural industrial enterprises
14:00 | 08/05/2024 Industry promotion
IC development challenges Dong Nai Province
14:00 | 07/05/2024 Industry promotion
Textile and garment businesses face difficulties due to lack of domestic supply
05:00 | 07/05/2024 Industry
Foreign, domestic investment in Ba Ria - Vung Tau rises sharply
09:22 | 07/05/2024 FDI
Foreign investors encouraged to invest in petroleum storage infrastructure
08:27 | 05/05/2024 Investment
Cambodian media values Vietnam's foreign investment attraction
09:50 | 03/05/2024 Investment
Thai Binh province rolls out red carpet for Dutch businesses
10:45 | 30/04/2024 FDI
Tax sector sees 10.7% rise in State budget revenue in four months
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Finance-Banking
MoF refuses to cut import tax for some materials of animal feed production
09:36 | 07/05/2024 Finance-Banking
Government proposes extending VAT cut until year end
09:10 | 05/05/2024 Finance-Banking
Stock market upgrade to help Vietnam lure another 10 bln USD in investment
09:23 | 03/05/2024 Stock Market
PM orders intensified carbon credit supervision
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Environment
Is it possible to deny collection for waste unsorted at source?
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Environment
PM asks for effective preventive solutions against forest fires
06:00 | 05/05/2024 Environment
Heat records broken, more hot weather forecast for May
06:00 | 04/05/2024 Environment
35 localities piloting four-wheel EVs for tourists, despite no official legal regulations
07:00 | 09/05/2024 Science - Technology
2024 VinFuture Prize records 1,469 nominations
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Science - Technology
HCM City: Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution to debut in September
06:00 | 05/05/2024 Science - Technology
Vietnam’s digital products to go global
06:00 | 04/05/2024 Science - Technology
Government approves the Red River Delta Region Master Plan
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Society
Bình Thuận works to stop fishing vessels from infringing on foreign waters
06:00 | 08/05/2024 Province
Điện Biên Phủ Victory shows strength of intelligence, public consensus: Officer
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Society
HCM City works to put Metro Line No. 1 into operation soon
06:00 | 06/05/2024 Society
Kim Sơn sedge weaving named as intangible cultural heritage
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Vietnamese Brands
Habeco, northern beer Industry icon, reports largest quarterly loss in four years
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Vietnamese Brands
PV Gas unions launch book donation program
14:00 | 06/05/2024 Companies
Vietnam Airlines reports profit in H1
06:00 | 05/05/2024 Vietnamese Brands
European Literary Days focuses on gender
06:00 | 09/05/2024 Lifestyle
“The Road to Dien Bien Phu” full of emotion
14:59 | 07/05/2024 Lifestyle
Vietnamese celebrated director to head jury at Shanghai International Film Festival
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Lifestyle
HCM City launches international photo contest
06:00 | 05/05/2024 Lifestyle
Vietnamese Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village hosts numerous activities in May
07:00 | 09/05/2024 Tourism
Fansipan Rose Festival 2024 offers tourists fascinating experiences
06:00 | 08/05/2024 Tourism
Green transformation in tourism starts with correct understanding, awareness: expert
06:00 | 07/05/2024 Tourism
7 places that are worth a visit in Điện Biên
06:00 | 05/05/2024 Tourism