Van Dien Pagoda (Quang Minh Tu)

Van Dien Pagoda has the literary name Quang Minh Tu and is currently located in Van Dien residential group, Thanh Tri commune, Hanoi. The pagoda was built during the Le Trung Hung period, Quang Minh Pagoda was built on an ancient land with a history spanning thousands of years, closely associated with the history of the country.

Quang Minh Pagoda currently preserves 62 statues, 4 horizontal plaques, 6 couplets, 1 large bronze bell, and 2 stone steles bearing the names of those who contributed to the construction of the pagoda. The Buddha statues are arranged strictly according to Buddhist principles. On the right of the Front Hall are the statue of Duc Ong and two attendants; on the left is the statue of Saint Hien together with Diem Nhien and Dai Si; in the middle of the Front Hall are two Dharma protectors.

The Upper Hall has 4 tiers of statues. At the highest position is the Three Ages Buddha set seated in the lotus position on lotus thrones. Next are Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. The third tier worships Shakyamuni Buddha preaching, holding a lotus flower, so it is called the World-Honored One holding a flower. The fourth tier has the Jade Emperor, Nam Tao and Bac Dau above, and Brahma below, followed by the Nine Dragons throne.