The pagoda carries a unique religious imprint and a long history that has been closely associated with many generations of residents in the suburbs for many periods. Not noisy or ostentatious, So Pagoda is quiet as a witness, preserving the cultural sediment of the land of Thang Long - Hanoi.
Signs of cultural mixture in history through many dynasties
Today, So Pagoda is located in Dan Hoa commune, Hanoi City. Initially, this place was originally a place of worship for the priests, so it was given the Chinese name Hoi Linh Quan. From around the 17th century, when Taoism gradually declined, many places of worship were converted into pagodas, and Hoi Linh Quan also entered the journey to become a center for Buddhist worship.
Over time, the pagoda has been continuously restored, associated with historical milestones. In 1634, under the reign of Le Trung Hung, the Admiral of Dao Quang Hoa District carried out a large-scale construction, making the pagoda more majestic and spacious. In 1901, under the reign of King Thanh Thai, the project was expanded with a roadford, a row of corridors and a stele house, creating a complex of architecture in the style of "inner-land, foreign-land architecture". The major renovations not only preserve the architectural beauty but also continue the source of cultural and belief, turning So Pagoda into a vivid testament to the intersection of Mac, Le Trung Hung and Nguyen architecture in the historical flow for many centuries.
Therefore, the pagoda is considered a vivid testament to the architectural art of the 14th - 17th centuries. Each ancient brick carved with dragon, glass, quy, phoenix shape is not only a construction material, but also a unique work, displaying the rich imagination and delicate soul of the ancestors. In particular, the 16 statues in Tam Bao, accounting for 2/3 of the total number of statues, have reached the level of skillful sculpture, clearly depicting each character's personality, rare in the history of Vietnamese fine arts.
Overall, the pagoda impresses with its unique "international and foreign" architecture. From the two-story, eight-roofed gate covered with fish scales, visitors walk through the large yard to enter the front hall of the two-story gate. On both sides are stele houses engraved with the history of the pagoda and the names of meritorious people, while the entrance is guarded by two royal statues two meters higher. Next is the upper hall, where the dragon-shaped brick and chrysanthemum leaves are carved in the style of the Mac Dynasty and the back of the road with a majestic bell tower and two long corridors.
The scenery around the pagoda also contributes to the solemnity and calmness. Notable in front is the statue of the thousand-eyed Buddha made of stone, the sculpture is both majestic and familiar. Surrounding the pagoda is an ancient well and a row of shaded trees, making it a space that is both sacred and in harmony with nature, so that anyone who visits can feel the intersection between the past and the present.
Open religious spirit of the Vietnamese people
Coming to So Pagoda, many people could not help but be surprised by the statue system here. Unlike most other pagodas that mainly worship Buddha, So pagoda decorates statues of fairies, Saints, Ngoc Hoang, and co-defendants... In particular, the highest floor is the Tam Thanh tribe including Ngoc Thanh Nguyen Thuy Thien Ton, Thuong Thanh Linh Bao Thien Ton and Thai Thanh Dao Duc Thien Ton are three Supreme Saints in Taoism.
The presence of these statues has affirmed the unique features of So Pagoda - a pagoda imbued with the spirit of "three priests of the same era". In addition to the two large statues "Linh Quan Society" and "Dai La Thien" reflecting Taoist philosophy, at the main hall there is also a statue "Tu Van Phap Vu" associated with the worship of Ba Phap Vu in the Vietnamese people. This is a clear demonstration of the intersection between indigenous religions and beliefs, creating a unique and rare nuance.
In 1986, So Pagoda was ranked as a National Architectural and Artistic Relic. Affirming the importance of pagodas not only as places of worship, pagodas are also cultural and historical treasures, where each statue, stele or relic tells the story of the spirit of generosity and the desire to live well of the ancients. In the modern flow, the Book Pagoda is like a deep silence in the heart of the Capital, both sacred and sacred. Preserving and promoting the value here not only contributes to preserving Hanoi's cultural identity but also reminds the community of the nation's enduring and humane spiritual heritage.
