Tứ Liên Pagoda

Tứ Liên Pagoda, also known as Tứ Tổng Pagoda, with the formal name Tam Bảo Pagoda, is located on Âu Cơ Street, Tây Hồ Ward, Hanoi Capital. According to the pagoda's records, it was built during the Later Lê dynasty, in the reign of King Lê Thần Tông, in the third year of the Đức Long era (1631). The pagoda has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture as a national historical and cultural site.

The pagoda has undergone many renovations. In 1992, Bhikkhunī Thích nữ Đàm Đoan organised the reconstruction of the pagoda using durable materials, with the inauguration taking place on 20 October 1992. The main hall is arranged in a solemn manner.

The pagoda still preserves a stele dating to the third year of the Đức Long era (1631). The stele is made of blue stone, placed on the back of a turtle, 1.25m high, 0.78m wide, with the stele's pediment 0.25m high decorated with sun motifs, flames, two dragons facing each other on both sides, swirling clouds, and four stylised bodhi-leaf frames containing the four characters "Tam bảo tự bi" (Compassion of the Three Jewels). The main body of the stele measures 0.98m x 0.70m. Both sides of the stele are inscribed, each side with 35 lines, averaging 55 characters per line, deeply and beautifully carved. The border of the stele is decorated with chrysanthemum vines, and the base border is decorated with stylised water waves. The stele does not record the name of the person who composed its inscription, but from the content, it can be inferred that the author was a literate official who had passed the imperial examinations and was knowledgeable about local history.

The content of the stele inscription (first side) reflects the special attention of the state to the restoration of Tam Bảo Pagoda, especially issues concerning land and the exemption of taxes on land for the people of Tam Bảo district, in order to repair and preserve the pagoda.

On the second side, the inscription lists 502 people who were included in the "Đài hưng công" (Merit Commemoration Pavilion), including the local people of the district (Tam Bảo, Vạn Bảo, Bảo Xuyên), officials in the Lê Trịnh royal court, along with their wives, children, and devotees from all directions who contributed to the restoration of Tam Bảo Pagoda.