Vạn Niên Pagoda
Hà Nội(Chùa Vạn Niên)
Overview & history
Vạn Niên is a pagoda located on the western shore of West Lake, Hanoi. The pagoda was formerly known as Vạn Tuế, situated in Quán La hamlet, which now belongs to Vệ Hồ village, Xuân La ward, Tây Hồ district.
In the Lý dynasty, in the year Giáp Dần, the fifth year of the Thuận Thiên era (1014), the Thạch Nhai patriarch Tấu requested permission to establish a precepts platform here to gather monks for ordination, which was approved by imperial edict. Many renowned monks such as Lâm Tuệ Sinh and Lý Thảo Đường successively served as abbots here. Later, a monk from Guangzhou named Biện Tài came to practise and reside, and a record of dialogues (đối lục) circulated in his time.
The pagoda formerly belonged to the Thảo Đường school; among the more recent abbots were: Most Venerable Thích Viên Thành (1950–2002), Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ. The pagoda is part of the Hương Tích monastic lineage and propagates Esoteric Buddhism (Mật Tông).
Photos
📷 Contribute photosVisiting 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: 21.06614, 105.81095
🧭 Directions on Google MapsReferences
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