Located on the foot of Phat Son mountain in the Yen Tu range, Ho Thien Pagoda has long been considered one of the important Buddhist centers of the Truc Lam Zen sect.
The pagoda also has the initial name Tru Phong Tu, today belonging to Binh Khe ward, Quang Ninh province. With an altitude of more than 500m above sea level, this place possesses a "mountain-facing water" terrain, surrounded by mountains and forests on three sides, facing poetic Ben Chau Lake in front.
In the Yen Tu relic system, Ho Thien Pagoda is considered an important connecting point between Ngoa Van and Yen Tu relics. Since the Tran Dynasty, this place has been famous as a great scenic spot, recorded in many ancient books of Vietnam.
According to historical records, after becoming a monk and practicing, Dieu Ngu Giac Hoang Tran Nhan Tong repeatedly stopped and preached at Ho Thien Pagoda. By the early 14th century, Zen master Phap Loa continued to expand and build this place into a large-scale Buddhist complex serving the cultivation of monks and nuns.
The book "Dai Nam nhat thong chi" once wrote: "Ho Thien Pagoda in Phu Ninh commune, Dong Trieu district was built from the Tran Dynasty". In "Tam to thuc luc", Zen master Phap Loa is also mentioned with the opening of Ho Thien shrine in 1327 under the reign of King Tran Minh Tong.
Through many historical changes, the pagoda was once degraded and restored through the early Le dynasties, Le Trung Hung to the Nguyen Dynasty. However, this place still preserves many valuable ancient architectural traces.
Archaeologists determined that the central area of the pagoda is about 3,000m2 wide with many large architectural foundations made of blue stone, bricks and ancient tiles. The remaining traces show that the pagoda once owned a massive system of works including the front hall, incense burner, upper hall, ancestral house, monk's house, shrine and large-scale tower garden.
Behind the main architectural area, there is still an ancient tower complex including the Buddha tower and ancestral towers. In particular, the 7-story stone Buddha tower is said to have developed from the 5-story tower foundation dating back to the Tran Dynasty. In addition, the pagoda still preserves an ancestral tower built of brick dating back to the Le Trung Hung period.
Another area located about 200m east of the pagoda center still has traces of an ancient stele house. Here is placed the famous stele "Tru Phong Tu Bi Ky" over 2.7m high, erected in 1736 under King Le Y Tong. The content of the stele records the merits of restoring the pagoda by Lord Trinh, and praises the beauty and sacredness of Ho Thien.
Not only carrying historical value, Ho Thien Pagoda also preserves dozens of stone foundations, architectural components and many characteristic carved patterns through periods. This is considered a valuable source of materials to help study Truc Lam Buddhist architecture during the Tran Dynasty and subsequent periods.
Today, Ho Thien Pagoda has been restored spaciously with a system of three sacred shrines, ancestral houses, guest houses and many auxiliary works serving monks, nuns, Buddhists and visitors from all directions.
With special historical, cultural and architectural values, in 2006 Ho Thien Pagoda was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic, becoming an important highlight in the Tran Dynasty relic complex in Dong Trieu and the Yen Tu heritage system.
