Kien Duong Pagoda

Kien Duong Pagoda was built early; based on physical materials still preserved at the pagoda, such as a stone incense pillar bearing the Vinh Thinh 6th year (1710) and a stone altar base in Le dynasty craftsmanship, the pagoda dates from before that time, and by the early 18th century it had become “a renowned ancient site” and was repaired as inscribed on stone. The stele kept at the pagoda is named “Thach Bi Ky” recording the names of those who contributed to repairing “diem so” in 1892 (Thanh Thai 4th year). This may also have been a major restoration of the relic in the Nguyen period. After two wars, the relic was destroyed, and the local people rebuilt a five-compartment, two-wing pagoda to worship Buddha. Currently, in 2023, the pagoda is undergoing major restoration. The main pagoda has been restored in the style of an ancient pagoda with a floor plan in the shape of the character “cong” comprising the front hall and upper hall. The front hall and upper hall have a structure in the shape of the character “nhị”, connected to each other by a tube-like section as wide as the central compartment of the front hall, designed with identical roofs, five wide compartments, a two-tier overlapping roof, and upturned corners on all four sides. In the center of the front hall ridge is a tiger emblem carrying the Buddhist wheel of reincarnation; the roof ridge is made in the dinh style, with water-monster and dragon-head shapes at both ends. The corners are decorated with dancing phoenixes and dragons playing in clouds, with beautifully carved blade motifs. The pagoda roof is covered with ceramic tubular tiles for durability. Around the front hall and upper hall is a wide veranda fitted with a railing system; above, the open panels are decorated with seal patterns, leaf motifs, wheels of reincarnation, etc. Along with this is a system of vong thieu chau and y mon made of lacquered and gilded wood in front of the altars, giving the sacred space a soft beauty while retaining the solemnity of the Buddha’s gate.

Behind the main pagoda are the Mother Goddess Hall and the Ancestor Hall, restored in 2022 with a design of three wide compartments. The floor plan is in the shape of the character “ding”, built with closed gables and ngai-style arms; on the roof ridge is a tiger emblem carrying the wheel of reincarnation on its back; both ends are decorated with dragon-shaped kìm heads; the roof is covered with dark brown ceramic tubular tiles; in front is a wide veranda fitted with three sets of folding panel doors. In front of the door are nine brick-paved steps, decorated with four dragons running along the steps; the veranda columns are decorated with seal and leaf motifs, giving the relic a softer look. The frame structure is reinforced concrete painted to imitate wood; inside, an altar base is built for the Mother Goddess statues and Ancestor statues. The pagoda’s three-entrance gate is planned to be built in pavilion style with two roof tiers; the large central bay opens a large gate, and the two small side bays open small gates, forming three entrances to the pagoda. On the second floor, a bell is hung in the central bay, while the two side bays are left empty; the roof has two-tier overlapping tiles, upturned corners on all four sides, and tubular tiles. The three-entrance gate is decorated with a scroll motif and panels featuring the four mythical creatures and four noble plants. The stone incense pillar erected in front of the main pagoda has Han characters carved on all four sides and records the creation date of Vinh Thinh 6th year (1710). The upper part has the stele name carved within a rectangular frame as the title, and around the stele border are decorated motifs of floral vines, clouds, water waves, dragons, and li... in relief. The stele dates to Gia Long 7th year (1808), and the blue stone base is made in one block, shaped with four kneeling legs and fish backs, with relief carvings around it of clouds, seal feet, and very beautiful, elaborate plump lotus petals. The artifact dates to the Le period (17th century). The incense bowl placed in front of the stone base is inscribed with the characters “Three Jewels”.

Besides its architectural and artifact values, Kien Duong Pagoda also has many other artifacts, such as round statues including the Three Worlds, the World-Honored One, Cundi Avalokitesvara, the Jade Emperor, the Southern and Northern Dippers, five Mother Goddess statues, with characteristics of 19th-century craftsmanship; horizontal plaques, couplets, ritual objects of blue-glazed ceramic, y mon, spirit flags... With its historical and artistic values, Kien Duong Pagoda was ranked as a city-level relic in Decision No. 4915/QD-UB dated 22/9/1999; 603/QD-UB dated 26/1/2006.