Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest Pagoda in Hanoi

Location:

Tay Ho, Hanoi.

Open Hours at Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi:

History:

- Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest one among others in Hanoi capital city, built under the reign of King Ly Nam De (544 until 548).



Name:

- In the beginning time, the Pagoda had the name of “Khai Quoc” which means “Opening the country”.

- The name changed to “Tran Quoc” – with the meaning of developing and protecting the country during King Le Huy Tong dynasty (1681-1705).

Features:

- A good place to say apology for bad things what you did in the past.

- Outstanding one is the statue: “Thích ca thập niết bàn”, which is evaluated as the most beautiful statue of Vietnam.





- The pagodas are red because in Chinese and Vietnamese, culture red symbolizes luck and prosperity.

- At the Trấn Quốc Pagoda, there are many lotus flower statues. These symbolize purity of the mind, body and speech. The lotus flower also symbolizes enlightenment and achievement.



- At the main shrine, the visitors are given incense to be burned. Visitors to the shrine also give offerings like food or small amounts of money as a present for the gods to give themselves good luck.

- Bodhi tree was made in 1959, marking the visit of the Indian president Rajendra Prasad. The tree was known as the place where Buddha sat and achieved enlightenment.

Photo gallery