Thien Mu Pagoda or Linh Mu Pagoda is one of the most oldest and beautiful pagodas in Hue city. with many unique architectural works inside, this is considered the most sacred pagoda in ancient Hue. Coming to Thien Mu Pagoda, you will not only admire the profound ancient beauty, the tranquility of the Perfume River but also have a better understanding of the mysterious story behind it.
1. Where is Thien Mu Pagoda Located?
Thien Mu Pagoda is located on Ha Khe hill, on the north bank of the Perfume River, in Huong Long village, 5 kilometers from Hue city, which is easy to reach from the city center. The pagoda was officially founded in Tan Suu (1601) by Nguyen Hoang – the first Nguyen Lord in Dang Trong ( South Viet Nam).
Currently, visitors can visit Thien Mu pagoda Hue city VietNam can visit comfortably, without spending any entrance fees. The opening hour of Thien Mu pagoda is all day and you can come here to sightseeing, as well as pray for peace and health for your family.What is special in Thien Mu pagoda?
2. What is special in Thien Mu Pagoda:
2.1. Phuoc Duyen Tower
There is a famous symbolic link with Thien Mu Pagoda. It is 21 meters high, has seven storeys, is located in front of the pagoda, and is visible from the Perfume River. On each of the seven storeys there is a statue of Buddha.
Inside the pagoda, a spiral staircase leads to the top storey where formerly a gold Buddha statue was displayed. Huong Nguyen pagoda is in front of the Tower. Phuoc Duyen Tower looks from the outside between the blue sky and the yellow sunshine with a fanciful and peaceful beauty.
From the pagoda yard, you can see the poetic and wonderful Perfume River of Hue City, visitors taking photos, or sitting in the boats. In summer, it’s very hot but when you come here is only tranquility, peace, tranquility in your soul.
2.2. Dai Hong Chung:
To the left of the tower is an enormous bell. The bell, called Dai Hong Chung, was cast in 1710 by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu. The bell is 2.5m high, 1.4m in diameter, and weighs 2,025kg. It is an excellent bronze artwork of Vietnam in the early eighteenth century.
2.3. Three-door (Tam Quan) Gates
There is the main gate leading to the pagoda, with a structure of 2 floors and 8 roofs with 3 paths. At each entrance through the gate, there are wooden plank doors, which are bundled with nails and strong belts. On both sides, the guardian statues are used as a way to keep the temple always peaceful.
In the time of the ancient kings, the buildings often built Three-door gates. That's because the middle entrance is for the king, the left door is for the writer, the right door is for martial. Therefore, the village gates or the temples, pagodas, temples, shrines, and tombs are all built on the three-door gate to welcome the king to visit.
On weekdays, the main door is normally closed only open on the two sides, except for big occasions or when the king or lord visits, the main door will be opened.
2.4. Dai Hung Palace:
The pagoda is the main representative in the pagoda, inside Maitreya Buddha's ears are big to listen to the suffering stories of sentient beings, have big bellies to tolerate people's faults, and have a big mouth to laugh at jokes and jokes in the world.
An architectural structure preserved quite intact despite many events of the time. The beauty of Dai Hung Palace is both ancient and majestic. massive, around the pagoda, is a campus with fresh green grass gardens, daily care.
Inside the pagoda of the first bronze Buddha statues of Hue casting precinct, a bronze casting in 1677 and hung a gold-painted lacquered gold-diaphragm made by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu himself in 1714.
2.5. Dia Tang Palace
After Dai Hung Palace is Dia Tang Palace built on Di Lac Palace, carved with many unique architectural features.
2.6. The tomb of Venerable Thich Don Hau and car Austin
As the lead pillar of Thien Mu pagoda, the late Venerable Thich Don Hau was a person who had promoted Buddhism in Hue as well as Vietnam. The immortal car Austin: in Thien Mu pagoda also stored the car of Venerable Thich Quang Duc left before setting himself on fire to oppose the Buddhist persecution of Ngo Dinh Diem regime in 1963.
2.7. Mysterious curse of the love story at Thien Mu Pagoda
That day, a couple love each other passionately. The girl was the daughter of a wealthy, beautiful mandarin family who fell in love with an orphan, hungry, and poor man. Because of the obstruction from the family, the couple decided to die together in the river in front of Thien Mu pagoda to prove their love.
But ironically, the girl was rescued by the people but the boy left forever. Over time, she gradually forgot the memories of the boy, she married a rich man and lived a glorious life. Waiting for her lover to never see, unjustly the boy lying in the Perfume River regretting his fate, "entered" into Thien Mu Pagoda and cursed that any couple who love each other come here will love to break down and break up.
The curse is passed down by mouth to this day. Because of that curse, there are many couples who do not dare come to this temple to visit, but many young people do not believe in this curse, and in fact, many couples still go to the pagoda everyday sightseeing, taking pictures.
Thien Mu Hue Pagoda is located about 5 km west of the city center, so it takes about 10 minutes to reach the destination. There are many ways to get to Thien Mu pagoda such as take motorbike , car, bicycle, cyclo, tour bus. Especially, you can travel by means of a dragon boat starting from Toa Kham wharf and enjoying the poetic and romantic beauty of the Perfume River. If you want to gain great experience, you can book for Hue City tour or Hue City Group Tour through Culture Pham Travel.
