Phat Tich ancient pagoda in Bac Ninh

(VTR) Phật Tích pagoda or "Vạn Phúc tự" located on halfway of Phật Tích mountain side, in Phật Tích commune, Tiên Du district, Bắc Ninh province. The pagoda was built from the 7th century to the 10th century. It is the national cultural and historical relics and has maintained ancient souvenirs of Buddhism in large and diversified number. Phat Tich is an ancient pagoda at the foot of Phat Tich Mountain. Coming here, tourists can get a glimpse of the birthplace of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Being on side of the mountain, surrounded by pine forests and fruit-tree gardens, Phật Tích pagoda contains mysterious and poetic features. Being the prosperous centre of Buddhism, a cultural work with many national characters and especially,
in the region carrying the long-term cultures of Kinh Bắc, Phật Tích pagoda has attracted a large number of visitors for sightseeing and worshipping.

Until the present, Phật Tích pagoda has kept many ancient and precious relics. The statue of Daibutsu Ushiku, which is made of blue stones and is placed on the Buddha’s throne in 1,87m high, is a unique work of the sculptural fine arts and art. The statue of half-bird-half-human beating drum, a mythological character, expresses the dream leaving this world of dust and living-better aspiration of human. Specially, in front of Phật Tích pagoda, there is a row including 10 big and tall animals: rhinoceros, buffalo, elephant, lion, horse… 

All ancient relics made of stone are talented works of art with the separated features of Lý dynasty of artisans in the initial days of establishment. In campus of the pagoda, overlapped statues have been maintained. In Phật Tích pagoda, there have been tens of stone-made and ancient towers of all the deceased monks. With large number of diversified relics, the pagoda is ranked the top position for value of antique.  

On the top of the mountain, construction for the stone statue of Buddha with 27m high, which is considered as the biggest one in Việt Nam, has been completed as fast as possible. The pedestal and lotus shaped lamp support of the statue is in tens of meter high. Phật Tích pagoda is also famous for the ancient mirror in front of the gate of the pagoda. Many people living around here have still kept the custom coming to the well and begging water for use. They think that if they use water here, they will be in luck.  

Annually, on the forth day of lunar Holidays, people living around Phật Tích pagoda always hold festival to commemorate services of predecessors, who built and improved the pagoda. On those happy days of the spring, visitors in everywhere come to make offerings to Buddha, pick peony flowers, enjoy landscape in Kinh Bắc region and attend games in the festivals such as wrestling, playing chess, swinging, and duo of love songs...

Thu Lan