Dai Bi Pagoda

DAI BI PAGODA (KIM HOANG PAGODA)

Dai Bi Pagoda is located in Kim Hoang Hamlet, Son Dong Commune, Hanoi.

Dai Bi Pagoda includes the Three-Entrance Gate, Front Hall, and Upper Sanctuary at the front, and the Mother Goddess Hall and Ancestor Hall at the back.

The main pagoda has a T-shaped structure, consisting of the Front Hall and Upper Sanctuary built on a high foundation. The Front Hall has five bays and two side aisles, with a roof covered in ri tiles; its architecture reflects the late Nguyen style with a 'rafter, beam, and roof-post' frame. In front there are three main doors and small windows for light. Inside the Front Hall are statues of Duc Ong and Duc Thanh Hien, along with the statues of Khuyen Thien and Trung Ac standing with Buddhist Dharma treasures in their hands. The Upper Sanctuary connects to the central bay of the Front Hall to form a hammer-handle shape. Its roof structure is similar to that of the Front Hall but still preserves an earlier stacked-beam truss, creating a highlight of ancient architecture.

Dai Bi Pagoda stands out for its simple wooden architecture, yet the system of Buddha statues in the Buddha hall has high artistic value. Highest are the three Tam The statues representing the past, present, and future. Next is the Amitabha Triad, including the Amitabha statue and two Bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta, in early 19th-century style. The next tiers include Cundi Avalokitesvara seated on a lotus pedestal with the Golden Boy and Jade Girl statues; statues of the Jade Emperor, Tuyet Son, and Maitreya; finally, the Nine Dragons throne with Earth God and Giam Trai statues. The statue system creates the pagoda's distinctive artistic and religious value.

Dai Bi Pagoda was ranked as a historical-cultural relic by the People's Committee of Ha Tay Province in 2007.