Vietnam Pagodas

Thánh Duyên Pagoda

Huế(Chùa Thánh Duyên)

Thánh Duyên Pagoda

Overview & history

Thánh Duyên Pagoda (chữ Hán: 聖緣寺) is a Buddhist architectural work originating from the 17th century, restored and rebuilt by King Minh Mạng in the years 1825 and 1836. The pagoda is located on Túy Vân Mountain, Vinh Hiền commune, Phú Lộc district, Huế city. The landscape of the pagoda and Túy Vân Mountain was ranked ninth by King Thiệu Trị in the 'Thần kinh nhị thập cảnh' (Twenty Scenic Spots of the Imperial Capital).

History

The mountain is Thúy Vân, commonly called Túy Vân, now belonging to the territory of the two villages Đông An and Hiền Vân, Vinh Hiền commune, Phú Lộc district, about 30 km southeast of Huế city, lying right on the shore of Cầu Hai lagoon. According to the historical records of the Nguyễn dynasty, in the past Thúy Vân Mountain was called Mỹ Am Mountain, and on the mountain stood Thánh Duyên Pagoda.

The pagoda was originally established by Lord Nguyễn Phúc Tần (1620-1687) to pray for blessings for the local people. In the spring of Nhâm Thân (1692), Lord Nguyễn Phúc Chu had the old pagoda on the mountain repaired and gilded. The pagoda was destroyed by war in the latter half of the 18th century.

In 1825, during the reign of Minh Mạng, on an occasion when the king visited Tư Hiền seaport, King Minh Mạng renamed the mountain Thúy Hoa and had the pagoda restored, naming it Thúy Hoa Tự and the mountain also Thúy Hoa. By 1836, the king decided to "completely rebuild" the entire Thánh Duyên Pagoda. The king had Đại Từ Pavilion and Điều Ngự Tower built, naming the pagoda Thánh Duyên Tự.

During the reign of Thiệu Trị, due to the taboo of the name of Empress Dowager Hồ Thị Hoa (wife of King Minh Mạng, mother of King Thiệu Trị), Thúy Hoa Mountain was renamed Thúy Vân, which people mispronounced as Túy Vân. From then on, Thánh Duyên Pagoda underwent many more repairs, but to this day the pagoda is in a state of severe deterioration, the scenery desolate due to lack of care.

Architecture

After the reconstruction in 1936, the scale of the pagoda included a main hall with three bays and two wings, located near the foot of the mountain.

Halfway up the mountain is Đại Từ Pavilion, two storeys, the lower storey with three bays and two wings, the upper storey with three bays. The pavilion is surrounded by walls, with a ceremonial gate at the front.

At the summit of the mountain is the three-storey Điều Ngự Tower, 3 trượng 6 thước 9 tấc high (about 15 metres).

In 1837, to the left of the main hall of the pagoda, a three-bay, two-wing tăng xá (monks' quarters) was built to provide accommodation for the monks. In addition, there are two kitchens, each with one bay.

During the Nguyễn dynasty, Thánh Duyên Pagoda was one of the great scenic temples, ranked among the national pagodas of Huế (Thiên Mụ, Thánh Duyên, Diệu Đế, etc.). Many renowned high monks such as Hòa thượng Liễu Đạo Chí Tâm, Tánh Khoát Huệ Cảnh, Tánh Thông Nhất Trí, Vĩnh Thừa, Giác Nhiên, etc. were appointed here to serve as abbots.

In Poetry

Thúy Vân Mountain and Thánh Duyên Pagoda are also considered among the foremost scenic spots of the imperial land. The lords and later the Nguyễn kings often came here to enjoy the scenery and composed many poems to praise it. However, the most famous is probably King Thiệu Trị with this poem. Notably, during the Nguyễn dynasty, the entire scene of the pagoda and mountain was painted on enamelled porcelain along with four lines of the 'reality' and 'argument' couplets from this poem.

King Thiệu Trị "ranked" the beauty of Thánh Duyên Pagoda and Túy Vân Mountain as the ninth scenic spot among the twenty beautiful scenes of the capital through the poem 'Vân Sơn thắng tích'.

Photos

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Visiting tips

  • Dress modestly; remove hats and keep quiet inside the main hall.
  • Incense, flowers and offerings are usually sold right outside the gate; light an odd number of sticks (1 or 3).
  • Most pagodas open from early morning to evening and are free to enter (some major sites charge a small scenic fee).
  • Full-moon days, the 1st of the lunar month and Tet are very crowded; visit on weekday mornings for a quiet experience.
  • Ask permission before photographing inside shrines; do not touch statues or altar objects.

Read more & references

Useful links to learn more before your visit:

Location

Coordinates: 16.34300, 107.89000

🧭 Directions on Google Maps

References

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