Tucked away in Hanoi’s Cầu Giấy district, Chùa Hoa Lăng whispers tales of devotion and royal lineage. Chùa Hoa Lăng, also known as Chiêu Thiền tự, isn’t just a temple; it’s a historical echo. It reverberates with connections to kings, celestial beings, and a revered figure known as Từ Đạo Hạnh.
Chùa Hoa Lăng is believed to have been built during the reign of King Lý Anh Tông. This would place its origins somewhere between 1138 and 1175. The temple honors Từ Đạo Hạnh, a prominent figure in Vietnamese folklore and religious tradition. Legend paints Từ Đạo Hạnh as a celestial being reincarnated. He was born as the son of a nobleman in Sùng Hiền hầu, a village related to King Lý Nhân Tông. Since King Lý Nhân Tông had no children, this nobleman’s son was chosen as the heir. He later became King Lý Thần Tông. King Lý Anh Tông, son of Lý Thần Tông, then commissioned the construction of Chùa Hoa Lăng to honor both his father and the celestial origins of Từ Đạo Hạnh.
The temple grounds, though renovated over time, still evoke a sense of history. Imagine passing through the outer gate, its three arched entrances framing the path ahead. A courtyard unfolds before you, centered by a ceremonial platform. This platform likely hosted important rituals and gatherings throughout the temple’s history. Beyond the courtyard, the inner gate, or tam quan, marks the transition to the temple’s sacred core. A path, flanked by ancient trees, leads to the main hall.
Inside Chùa Hoa Lăng, a wealth of statues populate the halls. Among the 198 statues, some depict familiar Buddhist figures, while others represent figures specific to the temple’s narrative. Statues of Từ Đạo Hạnh and King Lý Thần Tông stand as testaments to the temple’s unique history. The statue of Từ Đạo Hạnh is made of polished sandstone, while the statue of King Lý Thần Tông is crafted from glazed terracotta. While the temple has undergone several renovations, the oldest remaining artifact is a stele dating back to 1656. This stele, inscribed during the fourth year of the Thịnh Đức era, offers a tangible link to the temple’s past.
The temple truly comes alive during its annual festival. Held on the seventh day of the third lunar month, this festival celebrates the birth of Từ Đạo Hạnh. A procession carries a ceremonial representation of Từ Đạo Hạnh from his original shrine in Dịch Vọng village to Chùa Hoa Lăng. This vibrant celebration reinforces the connection between the temple and the revered figure it honors. Chùa Hoa Lăng stands not just as a place of worship, but as a living repository of history, legend, and cultural significance.