Question marks the spot where Chùa Quảng Nghiêm stands. Is it a place of profound history? Is it a sanctuary of architectural wonder? Let’s journey to this temple together.
Chùa Quảng Nghiêm also known as Chùa Tiên Lữ or Chùa Trăm Gian is nestled on a hill about 50 meters high. The temple is in Tiên Lữ village Tiên Phương commune Chương Mỹ district Hà Nội. It represents a serene escape from the city’s hustle.
Chùa Quảng Nghiêm’s story begins in 1185. It was founded during the reign of Lý Cao Tông of the Lý Dynasty. Over centuries figures shaped its identity. In the Trần Dynasty Hòa thượng Bình An from Bối Khê practiced here. Legend says he possessed miraculous powers. After his death villagers built a tower. They preserved his remains and revered him as Đức Thánh Bối.
The temple has grown over time through restorations. Each era added to its present scale. This reflects the temple’s enduring significance. Its architecture embodies artistic value. The two-story eight-roof bell tower stands as a testament. It was erected in 1693 during the Chính Hòa era of Lê Hy Tông’s reign. The temple houses relics and precious statues. Trăm Gian or 100 compartments. This folk name suggests the temple’s grand scale.
Legend tells of a woman in Bối Khê village. She dreamed of Đức Phật’s birth and had a son. At nine he left home to practice at Đại Bi temple. At 15 he sought knowledge from a senior monk at a mountain temple in Tiên Lữ. After ten years the young man understood spiritual secrets. King Trần heard of him ordained him Hòa thượng Đức Minh and invited him to the capital.
After the elder monk at Tiên Lữ passed Hòa thượng Đức Minh returned. He built a new temple. At 95 he entered a wooden coffin and passed away. A hundred days later his disciples opened the coffin. Golden light and fragrance filled the area. Villagers and disciples built a tower. They enshrined his remains and venerated him as Đức Thánh Bối.
Chùa Trăm Gian attracts visitors each year. The temple is undergoing renovations. They are rebuilding the lotus pond and bell tower. The goal is to welcome visitors. The Ministry of Culture and Information recognizes Chùa Trăm Gian as a national historical site.
Chùa Trăm Gian is an architectural complex. Counting each set of 4 columns as a gian the temple has 104 gian. It is divided into 3 main clusters. The first cluster features 4 trụ columns and 2 quán. It was once a place for chess during festivals. Next is Nhà Giá Ngựa overlooking the lotus lake. This is where they placed the palanquin for water puppet shows.
Climbing steps leads to the second cluster a two-story bell tower. It has a railing around all sides. The panels have cloud and flower carvings. A bell hangs here. It is 1.10 meters tall and 0.6 meters in diameter. It was cast in 1794. An inscription by Phạm Huy Ích adorns the bell. Climbing 25 blue stone steps with dragon and cloud carvings leads to a stone platform.
Nine steps with dragon-carved railings lead to the main temple. It is the third cluster. It includes nhà bái đường tòa thiêu hương and thượng điện. Two rows of corridors line the sides. The nhà tổ in the back houses a large drum and a bronze gong. The gong is 1.20 meters long and 0.60 meters high cast in 1749. The temple has 153 statues mostly wooden some clay. The Tuyết Sơn and Quan Thế Âm Bồ Tát statues are especially valuable. In the middle of the thượng điện is a rectangular terracotta vat. It resembles Trần Dynasty stone vats. A lotus dais sits on the vat decorated with animals and flowers. Statues of the three Buddhas are on the dais. The temple contains steles horizontal lacquered boards and parallel sentences. Two inlaid parallel sentences date back to the Hồ Dynasty.
The temple has a statue of Đô đốc Đặng Tiến Đông a Tây Sơn general. He commanded troops attacking Thăng Long. The statue was discovered in 1972. A statue of Đức Thánh Bối stands in a wooden shrine on the right. It is a cốt rút statue of black rattan covered in sơn fabric. Legend says it contains his remains.
Chùa Quảng Nghiêm stands as more than a historical site. It is a reminder of Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Its serene beauty calls us to explore its depths. To reflect on the stories etched in its ancient stones.