Located in Bac Ninh province, not far from Hanoi capital, Phat Tich Pagoda is not only the largest Buddhist center in Vietnam during the Ly and later Tran dynasties, but also a center of beliefs and cultures from different localities as well as countries in the region.
The pagoda is believed to be once a beautiful, harmonious, poetic and sacred landscape in the past. Sitting on the Phat Tich Mountain, it looks like a shining pearl in the north with amazing legends and proud material traces.
The pagoda has a total of 27 pavilions and halls, including those for worshipping Buddha and receiving pilgrims when special occasions are celebrated.
The main hall houses the blue stone - made statue of Buddha Amitabha sitting in meditation on a large lotus.
The statue, a masterpiece of sculpture in the Ly Dynasty, was recognized by the State as a national treasure in 2013.
Besides the statue of Amitabha Buddha, Phat Tich pagoda also has another national treasure, a set of 10 sacred beasts dating from the Ly Dynasty. These 10 statues, consisting of five pairs of horses, rhinoceros, buffalos, elephants, and lions, are arranged symmetrically in front of the corridor of the Three Jewels.
These animals are all very large, nearly 2m high, sitting comfortably on the box-shaped lotus pedestals.
In 1952, the French colonialists occupied Phat Tich pagoda and destroyed parts of the building. The stone-made pair of elephants kneeling on the lotus platform has lost their tusks and trunks.
However, the pagoda has preserved its unique ancient culture, and today it is one of 14 outstanding tourist attractions in Bac Ninh province.
The row of Lim (iron wood) columns in the pagoda has tood the test of time for centuries.
The pagoda also worships 18 Arhats who are said to have gained insight into the true nature of existence and have achieved Nirvana and liberated from the endless cycle of rebirth.
Currently, Phat Tich Pagoda has been refurbished with investments contributed by the people to make the building more attractive to visitors.
The new statue of Amitabha Buddha weighing 3,000 tonnes is worshiped in the main hall.
The new Amitabha Buddha statue completed in 2010 has been recognized as ‘the largest stone Buddha statue in Southeast Asia’.