Nghi Loc Pagoda (Dong Hoa Tu)
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Core ideology: Unlike most traditional village pagodas that purely worship Buddha according to the Northern Mahayana tradition, Nghi Loc Pagoda is a distinctive cultural-religious product built and renovated according to the ideology of "Unity of the Three Teachings" (harmonization of three religions: Buddhism - Daoism - Confucianism).
History of renovation: In the early 20th century (under Kings Khai Dinh and Bao Dai), as people in the semi-flooded Son Cong area suffered under taxes and economic crisis, the old pagoda fell into ruin. When villagers joined forces to restore the pagoda in the 9th year of Bao Dai, local intellectuals and elders incorporated the ideology of the unity of the Three Teachings into the system of scriptures and the pantheon.
Philosophy of the scriptures: The pagoda's Han-character textual system strongly reflects the spirit of self-awakening, aspiration for goodness, and the desire for agricultural peace, praying for national prosperity and people's security, and for the poor to be fed and warm. Buddhism plays the role of the harmonizing subject, elevating the non-action principle of Daoism and the loyalist patriotism of Confucianism.
Resistance war value: During the years of the resistance war against the US for national salvation, the grounds of the adjacent Nghi Loc Communal House and Pagoda complex were used by the military as a strategic store and as a safe meeting place for soldiers and civilians.
Based on current-state survey drawing documents, Nghi Loc Pagoda is located adjacent to the village's ancient communal house, facing southwest:
Ceremonial Hall (Front Hall): The horizontal building has 5 solid bays, 12.60 m long and 6.80 m wide. The walls are built with old bricks with closed gable ends, the roof is covered with local tiles, and the front pillar system has relief decorations of lantern panels and a pair of guarding nghe lions. The lim-wood truss frame is sawn square, planed smooth and tightly joined in the style of "Gia chieng con Nhi" of the late Nguyen period.
Upper Hall: Connecting at a right angle to the central bay of the Bai Duong according to the structure the character Dinh ($\mathbf{J}$) solemn, consisting of 3 longitudinal bays. The most special architectural feature here is that the ancients built a system of brick vaults load-bearing to replace the usual wooden beam system; above, wooden rafters and purlins are still laid and covered with plain local tiles. Above the center of the Upper Hall hangs a lacquered and gilded relief-carved horizontal plaque Two dragons facing the moon bearing four large characters: "Unity of the Three Teachings".
The pagoda preserves a total of 29 round statues (including 9 statues belonging to the Three Teachings ideological system) exquisitely crafted from lacquered and gilded wood as a coordinated set in the early 20th century:
Central vertical row of the Upper Hall:
Tier 1 (highest): Statue Jade Emperor (representing Daoism), 1.25 m high, seated solemnly on a dragon throne, wearing a flat-heaven crown, hands clasped holding a ceremonial tablet, and draped in an imperial robe with relief-carved dragon-cloud patterns. On both sides are statues of Nam Tao holding the book of life and death and Bac Dau in calm posture.
Tier 2: Statue of the famous general Quan Van Truong (representing Confucianism) seated on a majestic throne, with statues of De Quan and Van Xuong De Quan on both sides.
Tier 3: Statue Quan Cong manifesting as saint wearing a blue dragon-patterned ceremonial robe and a crown, flanked on the left and right by attendant statues Chu Thương and Quan Bình.
Level 4: Cuu Long Hall made of intricately carved wood, the arch carved with 9 winding dragon heads spouting water, inside is a statue of the infant Shakyamuni pointing one hand to heaven and one to earth, adjacent to 12 statues of Buddhas, celestial musicians, and vajra guardians surrounding it.
Altar arrangement in the Bái đường hall:
Right side: Place the altar Earth Deity with a statue Thái Thượng Lão Quân (Laoism) and two Long Thần deities.
Left side: Place the altar Thánh Tăng with two majestic Heavenly King statues guarding the door.
In addition to the unique statue system, the relic site also preserves many ancient artifacts and sturdy antiquities:
Documents and wooden furnishings: 05 ancient lacquered horizontal plaques inscribed with characters "Đông Hoa Tự", "Long Đức chính Trung"; a system of 03 pairs of Han-character couplets with flat relief carving of geometric floral vines praising Zen philosophy; 01 large wooden fish.
Ceramic and precious stone antiquities: 01 ancient ceramic flower vase dating to the Lê - Mạc period (16th century) 0.22 m high; combined with 02 ancient bronze incense burners and 04 blue-painted porcelain incense burners.
Metal artifacts: 01 bronze ritual gong, 01 bronze bell from the Nguyễn period cast in relief with sharp brocade seal patterns, and 01 set of three bronze ritual objects made of a single block placed at the main altar.
Based on the cadastral extract map drawn in 1986 (Sheet No. 1 and No. 88, scale 1/2000) and the zoning record dated 28/11/1992, the administrative boundaries of the relic complex are defined as inviolable:
Protection Area I (Original core zone - Red):
Scope: Including the main pagoda, the ancient communal house, the adjacent Nghi Lộc Quán, together with the entire inner brick courtyard and the pagoda well.
Area: 2,903 m² located entirely on land parcels No. 188, 187 and parcel 63.
Adjacent boundaries: East borders the old Đáy River dike; West borders land parcel No. 186; South borders land parcels No. 189 and parcel 1584; North borders the existing village road axis.
Protection Area II (Auxiliary construction adjustment zone - Green):
Scope: Pond and beach area and cultivated land surrounding and supporting the landscape for the core zone.
Area: Located on land parcel No. 181 and part of parcel 187/1577 (Former school).
Adjacent boundaries: To the East, it borders the old Cooperative Pond; to the West, it borders land plot No. 186/7690; to the South, it borders plot No. 194/888; to the North, it borders land plot No. 15/3215 (Warehouse yard).
Any act of excavation, land encroachment, dismantling of arched brick components, or relocation of the Three Teachings statues out of the red boundary line corridor of the above-mentioned land plots is strictly prohibited by law and shall be handled in accordance with the Ordinance on the Protection of Relics.
