Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, if you are looking for a peaceful and quiet place, try visiting the temple located in the green pine forest in Ha Nam called Dia Tang Phi Lai. Hãy nghe Trần Thuỳ Thanh Xuân (Đồng Nai) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .
Modern life is like a never-ending cycle, drawing us into the cycle of work, worries and daily pressures. In the midst of that hustle and bustle, we crave a place to stop, to breathe and heal. Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda - a pagoda located in Ha Nam, with a peaceful, quiet setting and profound cultural and spiritual values, is an ideal destination for those who are looking for peace. This place is completely separate from the noisy urban area, an ideal stop for you to temporarily put aside the hustle and bustle of life, to find peace in your soul.
1. Geographical location of Dia Tang Phi Lai
The pagoda is only about 70km from Hanoi, located in Ninh Trung village, Liem Son commune, Thanh Liem district, Ha Nam province. Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda has a throne shape, its back leaning against the mountain, on both sides are the green dragon and the white tiger. In terms of scale, the pagoda has Tam Bao, the ancestral shrine, where Duc Ong and Duc Thanh Hien are worshiped; housing, lecture hall, guest house, Buddhist residence. The pagoda was built in the 10th century. At first, the pagoda had a scale of about 120 rooms. Many kings and lords visited this place. After many centuries, the pagoda was seriously degraded and seemed to have been forgotten. In 2015, the abbot Thich Minh Quang rebuilt the pagoda and renamed it Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu.
Image source: Collected
2. History of Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda - Ha Nam
According to local people, the pagoda was built in the 10th century, with a massive scale of more than 100 rooms. This place used to be a peaceful place for King Tran Nghe Tong to escape from the world and was also the place where King Tu Duc came to pray for children. However, through many ups and downs of history, the pagoda's architecture was gradually destroyed by time, covered by dense trees, causing people to forget. By December 2015, Venerable Thich Minh Quang had received, renovated, rebuilt the temple and renamed it "Dia Tang Phi Lai".
Dia Tang Phi Lai can be understood in two ways: Bodhisattva Dizang Wang is always here, or Bodhisattva Dizang Wang will never return. However, where Bodhisattva Dizang does not return, that place will become a Buddha land, so no matter how you understand it, this temple is a sacred place where Buddha is present. Today, Dia Tang Phi Lai Temple is not only a place of worship but also a destination that attracts tourists to come to find peace and quiet beauty.
Image source: Collected
3. Opening hours of Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda
Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda opens to visitors from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day, including holidays and Tet. Visitors can visit at any time of the day to seek peace, pray for safety and admire the unique architecture of the pagoda.
In particular, Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda offers free admission, creating favorable conditions for everyone to visit and experience the peaceful spiritual space.
Image source: Collected
4. Directions to the Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda
I chose to travel by private car, departing from Hanoi, following the highway, exiting at the Liem Tuyen intersection and following the Thanh Phong to Thanh Luu route to Liem Son in Ha Nam province. In addition, there are currently many limousine shuttle services departing from Hanoi with round-trip schedules in the day, with reasonable fares. You can consider it!
When I arrived here, I was surprised by the large and peaceful campus of this temple. The bricks and tiles of the temple have a distinct Cham Pa architectural style. The highlight is the layers of white gravel, on which are layers of cool bricks forming the path. Twelve circles are drawn on the gravel floor symbolizing the 12 causes and conditions of human beings. These layers of white gravel give me a feeling of purity and cleanliness, each step feels like gliding gently on the water. The balance and harmony with nature are the unique features in the architecture of Dia Tang Phi Lai Temple.
Image source: Collected
Here, the Tam Bao building is the largest building in the temple. In which, the statue of Dia Tang in the center is extremely majestic and also very gentle, helping to enhance the beauty of the temple. On the right side of the temple is the area used to worship the 42 patriarchs of Dia Tang Pagoda. At the same time, in the Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu temple complex, there are many other architectural buildings such as Duc Ong temple, Duc Thanh Dao Hien temple, Quan The Am Buddha temple, residential areas for monks and nuns, buildings for Buddhists to listen to sermons and organize useful retreats so that you can come and experience the life of practicing here.
5. Outstanding activities when visiting Phi Lai Dia Tang Pagoda in Ha Nam
5.1. Enjoy the peaceful space and visit the temple
Phi Lai Dia Tang Pagoda is located in a quiet natural space, leaning against the mountain, embracing a small lotus pond in the campus. The entire complex is like a picturesque landscape painting, a fairyland in the heart of Vietnam.
Entering the pagoda, you will see 12 circles drawn on the gravel floor, symbolizing the 12 causes and conditions of human beings. Next to it is the sign "Khổ hải (sea of suffering) because it is a sea, please go ashore", gently reminding visitors to step on the smooth stones, avoiding stepping on the pebbles. The white pebbles in the pagoda are part of meditation, helping people's souls become peaceful. Along with that is the image of the statue of Di Tang, exuding a benevolent and majestic look with the main colors of brown, yellow and white.
Image source: Collected
The temple grounds are also home to fruit gardens, herbs, and wild vegetables, which are cared for by locals and monks, creating a cool, fresh green space. In addition, Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu Temple is also a book paradise, with bookshelves covering the walls for you to immerse yourself in the world of words. In addition, you can also go to the meditation garden to enjoy tea, lie in a hammock, sit on a stone bench to admire the temple from above, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Zen monastery.
5.2. Admire the traditional pagoda architecture of Dung Pagoda
Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu Pagoda is a typical example of traditional Vietnamese architectural art. The highlight of the pagoda's architecture is the bricks and tiles with rich patterns such as lotus flowers, dragons, bird gods and peacocks, bearing the national cultural features of the Ly Tran Dynasty. In addition, there are also tiled roofs shaped like the god Garuda, symbolizing the universe and the longevity of Buddhism.
The main highlight of the pagoda is the majestic Tam Bao building, with the statue of Dia Tang in the center. Surrounding it are other architectural buildings such as Duc Ong temple, Duc Thanh Dao Hien temple, and Quan The Am Buddha temple. All the architectures combine to create an ancient complex.
Image source: Collected
In addition, on top of Phi Lai, there is Pho Dong tower, an architecture built during the Ly Tran Dynasty, and the resting place of 40 generations of ancestors. When the sunlight shines in, the shadow of the tower stretches from Dung village to Thap village, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
5.3. Participate in festivals and events at Phi Lai Dia Tang Pagoda
Phi Lai Dia Tang Pagoda is the place where many festivals and events take place, attracting tourists and Buddhists from all over. At the beginning of the new year, the pagoda is decorated with bright flowers, creating a bustling and warm atmosphere. In January, the traditional countryside market is recreated, with typical goods, taking visitors back in time, to find the beauty of the past.
Image source: Collected
In June and July, the pagoda organizes summer retreats, attracting many Buddhists and meditation lovers to participate. This is an opportunity for everyone to find peace and tranquility in their souls amidst the peaceful natural setting of the pagoda. In particular, on the 30th of the 7th lunar month, the Vu Lan ceremony and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's birthday ceremony will be held very solemnly, helping you understand the profound meaning of filial piety and enlightenment.
On the Mid-Autumn Festival, the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda becomes an ideal destination to watch the full moon in a spacious and airy space. The peaceful scenery and bright moon create a poetic picture, helping everyone enjoy memorable moments with family and friends. Festivals and events at Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda are not only occasions for fun and entertainment, but also opportunities for you and your family to bond and enjoy peaceful and meaningful moments together.
Image source: Collected
In general, coming to Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda is a trip for you to find a green space in the middle of the mountains and forests, with the sound of bells and the scent of incense. This is a suitable place for you to temporarily put aside the hustle and bustle of life, relax your soul and find peace in every breath.