Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda

Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda is an ancient pagoda dating from before the Lý dynasty and has been classified as a national heritage site; the pagoda is located in Duy Tinh hamlet, Văn Lộc commune, Hậu Lộc district, Thanh Hóa province. The pagoda is also a place of worship for General Trần Hưng Đạo.

Văn Lộc commune, Hậu Lộc district was formerly the administrative centre of Cửu Chân district for nearly 400 years (throughout the Lý and Trần dynasties). Grand Commandant Lý Thường Kiệt once resided here for 19 years. The Dictionary of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Sites, Social Sciences Publishing House (page 582), records about the pagoda as follows: "The pagoda has existed for a long time, before the Lý dynasty. When King Lý Nhân Tông toured the south, his entourage stopped at the administrative centre of Ái prefecture (Thanh Hoá) and then returned... To show gratitude to the king and wish for the nation's everlasting prosperity, the official Chu Công (appointed by the Lý king to govern Thanh Hóa) handed over to the district magistrate Lê Chiếu the task of rebuilding the ancient pagoda that had fallen into ruin. The local people contributed rice and labour, levelled mounds, filled hollows, and carpenters and masons worked hard for two years to complete the pagoda at the end of the year mậu tuất (Hội Tường Đại Khánh 9) (1118). The architectural scale was grand, with elaborate carvings.... Through subsequent dynasties, the pagoda was a renowned thiền (Zen) monastery in Ái Châu. Due to historical upheavals, the pagoda fell into ruin. In 1952, the front hall was destroyed by French bombs; the Lý dynasty stele was chipped at the top... Afterwards, the pagoda was repaired on a smaller scale by monks and local people, and its area was reduced. Later, Sùng Nghiêm Diên Thánh Pagoda was included by the Ministry of Culture in the list of National Heritage Sites of Vietnam on 13 March 1990. The pagoda underwent major restoration from 1997: the bell tower, central hall, and front hall were restored and completed in 2001 with beautiful architecture featuring eight roofs, with all beams, doors, etc. made entirely of ironwood; the ancestral house was also restored in 2005, and the stone bridge in 2007... The Ministry of Culture and Information approved the Thanh Hóa provincial people's committee to ratify the overall restoration project for the main pagoda and its grounds. Up to now (2010), the basic restoration has been completed. In addition, with contributions from Buddhists everywhere, the pagoda has also renovated the lotus pond in front and built an arched bridge across the pond leading into the pagoda, creating the ancient beauty characteristic of old pagodas.

Currently, the pagoda still preserves many precious artefacts from the Lý dynasty that other contemporary sites do not have. Specifically: a large row of dragons carved in stone, which are remnants of a large stupa; very large dragon and phoenix heads made of ceramic, representing cosmic creatures. In the main sanctuary, there remain three stone lotus pedestals similar to those at Thầy Pagoda in Hanoi, but these pedestals are more finely crafted in the wave patterns at the base. The pagoda also houses many valuable wooden statues, especially three wooden statues of Avalokiteśvara (Quan Âm) carved around the mid-17th century. The ritual objects in the pagoda such as tables, thrones, shrines, and armchairs have existed throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The pagoda's bell was cast in the 11th year of Gia Long (1812).

Immediately after crossing the stone bridge leading into the pagoda, visitors will see two imposing Dharma Protector statues right in front of the gate. Passing through the gate brings you to the main courtyard of the pagoda. On the right is the auxiliary front hall for families to conduct ceremonies. On the left is the row of living quarters for the monks and nuns. The main front hall in the centre is quite large and most ritual activities take place here. Stepping through the doorway, visitors will see directly ahead many large, majestic statues stretching deep inside. Immediately to the left of the hall is the altar shelf for the deceased relatives of Buddhists who have been entrusted to the pagoda. Visitors can venture further inside to discover the artisans' skills or witness the scenes of requiem ceremonies.

The pagoda holds an annual festival from the 8th to the 10th day of the 2nd lunar month, attracting not only Buddhists from many places but also provincial and district officials as well as visitors from all directions. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, local people come to the pagoda in great numbers.