Quan Su Pagoda is one of the oldest and most ancient pagodas in Hanoi Capital. Every year-end and early spring, this place welcomes a large number of people and tourists from all directions to worship, pray for peace, luck and fortune for the new year.
The pagoda was built around the 15th century, during the Later Le Dynasty. The three-entrance area of Quan Su Pagoda has a 3-story roof design, with a bell tower in the middle. Not only worshiping Buddha, the pagoda also worships Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong - a famous high monk of the Ly Dynasty, respected by the people for his merits in treating diseases and saving people.
In 1934, the pagoda became the headquarters of the Bac Ky Buddhist Association. Currently, this is the central headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, where important major ceremonies such as Buddha's Birthday and Vu Lan often take place, attracting a large number of monks, nuns, and Buddhists to attend.
Every Tet and spring, thousands of visitors come to the temple in the heart of the Capital. The peaceful space, ancient architecture and historical depth make this place a familiar spiritual support, where many people send wishes for peace and prosperity for a new year.
On the 4th day of Tet, Quan Su Pagoda organizes a ceremony to offer stars to ward off bad luck, attracting a large number of Buddhists and pilgrims from all directions to attend. Crowds have gathered at the temple gate, sincerely praying for a peaceful new year, resolving bad luck and welcoming good luck and smooth progress in life.
Nguyen Phuong Mai (20 years old), living in Hanoi, said that going to pagodas at the beginning of the year has become an indispensable habit. Every year, when spring comes, Mai also goes with her family to worship Buddha, praying for a new year of good luck and smooth progress. "My family and I go to pagodas every year, both to enjoy spring and to send good wishes for the new year," Mai shared.
Attending this year's star-offering ceremony to ward off bad luck, Le Minh Quy (25 years old), Hanoi, quietly stood in the middle of the crowd clasping hands in prayer in the solemn space of the main hall.
Quy said that every year his family registers to attend the New Year ceremony to pray for health, smooth work and everything goes smoothly.
No matter how busy I am, I still try to arrange time to go to the temple, because this is not only a belief but also a way for myself to feel more peaceful when starting a new year," Quy said.
Ms. Dao Thi Lam (Hanoi) often arranges time with her children and grandchildren to go to the pagoda to burn incense at the beginning of the year. For her, it is not only a traditional beauty of the family but also an opportunity for generations to reunite and pray for peace, health and many good things in the new year.
People respectfully offer incense to commemorate elder Venerable Thich Thanh Tu (1927-2011), expressing gratitude and respect for the high-ranking monk who has made many contributions to Vietnamese Buddhism.
Amidst the bustling pace of life in the first days of the year, people still return to the meditation gate to send their beliefs and aspirations.
