Hang pagoda: one of the oldest pagodas in Hải Phòng
The Hang (Cave) Pagoda, also known as Cốc Tử Pagoda, leaning on a mountain and overlooking the beach in
Referring to Hai Phong, people immediately think of “food paradise”, but few people know that the spiritual spots here, such as Cao Linh pagoda, also make many visitors fall in love.
About Cao Linh pagoda
Cao Linh Pagoda is located in Bac Ha village, Bac Son commune, An Duong district, also the western gateway of Hai Phong city and about 12km from the city center.
Not only is located in a spacious and tall land, but the front of the pagoda also looks directly at Highway 10 – a route connecting the provinces such as Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh, but also After that, it is adjacent to Highway 5 connecting Hai Phong with Hai Duong and Hanoi capital, so it gets a lot of attention.
The exact lifespan of Cao Linh pagoda to this day is still an unknown, only knowing that according to historical records, the pagoda was built by the Le Van family in Ha Tien village and was first restored in the period. Hau Le more than 300 years ago.
After years of fierce resistance against the French, the pagoda was burned for 20 times and suffered severe injuries. Therefore, in 2001, with the consent of the local government and the Hai Phong Buddhist Association, the abbot and Buddhists in the temple decided to restore and rebuild the temple to have a spacious appearance, splendid today and considered one of the most worthy temples in Hai Phong .
The magnificent architecture of Cao Linh Pagoda
Cao Linh ancient pagoda has many impressive architectural works such as: Ngu Quan Gate, Dai Hung Bao Dien, Tower Garden, Recitation of Buddha Duong, Zen Duong and La Han Duong, … in the area of up to 49,000 m2, makes visitors feel like they are lost in a small “spiritual city” in the heart of Hai Phong.
1. The Gate of the Five Quan
Cao Linh Pagoda welcomes visitors with the majestic, massive, and sparkling gold-plated gate, making everyone admire, as if they are lost in a luxury palace.
Right at the foot of the gate are 6 stone mascots for the purpose of preserving and protecting the sanctity and sacredness of the temple. On the top of the dome, motifs of dragons, phoenix adoration and majestic Buddha Amitabha are meditating with thousands of clouds, looking extremely impressive.
The gate roof is designed in the style of traditional ancient roof with two curved ends soaring to the sides like a boat and the top of the roof is fitted with a wheel of dharma symbolizing reincarnation with a pure lotus showing purity. , infinite, makes everyone want to watch forever.
Moreover, standing from the temple gate, visitors will be immediately attracted by a statue of Quan The Am Bodhisattva with a compassionate, compassionate expression gazing at beings and a giant white screen with Sophisticated lines, patterns, and ancient writing lines are written in outstanding golden tones, like a unique work of art.
2. Bao Dien Court
Step through the three-level screen and two rows of stately Buddha statues arranged neatly and straight, visitors will admire the most important and sacred works at Cao Linh Hai Phong pagoda, Dai Hung Bao Dien building, with The familiar architecture of Buddhism is in the shape of Dinh, including 3 fronts and 1 harem.
This is also the oldest building in the pagoda, with the roofing 3 levels, gradually decreasing upwards and the tail arching into the sky, and the bright red tile roof is covered with moss, making it easy to easily feel traces of time has clearly imprinted on the temple.
Inside the main hall, Buddha statues such as: Thich Ca Mau Ni, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, monk Loi Bodhisattva … and decorated with traditional couplets, with incense smoke are always suspicious, creating a majestic, deposition space.
3. Tower Garden
The most attractive and attractive feature in the ancient Cao Linh temple that makes everyone fall in love is the delicate stone stupas located on either side of the main hall.
Despite their different heights, all the stupas are designed with cylindrical bases, the roof of each floor is meticulously sculpted with the image of a dragon facing the blue sky and each side of the tower has a The standing yellow Buddha statue is very prominent.
Besides, while the base of the tower is full of blooming brown lotus petals, the top part is placed with a lotus still nestling in the sun, forming an extremely harmonious and delicate whole.
Moreover, the entire tower garden is surrounded by colorful flower pots all year round, making the scene more fresh and full of life.
It is worth mentioning that, these stupas are not simply to beautify the temple but also contain the remains of the abbots over the ages in Cao Linh Pagoda, so they are extremely sacred and precious.
4. Other works
In addition to the outstanding architecture, Cao Linh Tu also has many other impressive works that are cleverly arranged in science, but still have the solemn and respectful features of the sacred place that visitors can admire. during a walk on campus.
Typical examples are: a bronze bell weighing 3.2 tons, a tower running across the wall, the garden where Shakyamuni Buddha gave teachings to his disciples with 7 statues on each side of Buddhism. and the bodhi tree is derived from Bodh Gaya – where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment in India … will surely make you go from surprise to admiration.
The experience cannot be missed at Cao Linh Pagoda
On weekdays, standing in the temple grounds, listening to the bells, the monks’ chanting resounding, and smelling the deep scent of the wind, you will find your soul extremely peaceful and peaceful.
However, on the full moon days or the beginning of the month, especially the big holidays of the year such as the Lunar New Year or the Vu Lan Ceremony … the second most beautiful temple in Hai Phong is extremely crowded and crowded by countless Many pilgrims from all over come here to pray for luck, well-being and fame for themselves and those who love them.
In addition, the temple also often has many meaningful activities such as super bridge, liberation, teaching or moral courses and summer retreat … to help people purify their souls and become people are more useful to the society, so if you have time, you should definitely not ignore these activities.
Some note when visiting Cao Linh Pagoda
– Like many other sacred places, when visiting Cao Linh , visitors need to dress politely, discreetly and solemnly, absolutely avoid cutting and revealing clothes such as: halter shirt, armpit shirt, Shorts and knee-length skirts … or brightly colored outfits.
– Go lightly, speak quietly, do not swear, swear in the temple grounds.
– Do not arbitrarily take or touch anything in the temple without permission.
– Go in and out of the temple only go at 2 secondary gates, not go to the middle gate.
– Do not burn too much banknotes, gold, incense … because it can pollute or even burn the temple.
Come to Hai Phong, do not just be engrossed in restaurants, because spiritual spots, such as Cao Linh Pagoda will also give you extremely memorable memories.
Photo: Internet
