Phu Thi Communal House, Temple, and Pagoda, Gia Lam Commune

The Phu Thi Communal House, Temple, and Pagoda are located in Phu Thi Village, Phu Thi Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi. It is now Phu Thi Village, Gia Lam Commune, Hanoi City

According to legend, Dai Duong Pagoda existed very early; in 1066, Consort Y Lan came to this pagoda to pray for a child. When first built, the pagoda was already famous for its beauty, and after Lady Y Lan visited, it became even more famous.

Sui Communal House originated from an ancient temple worshipping General Dao Lien Hoa, who lived during the reign of Dinh Tien Hoang.

Sui Temple worships Lady Y Lan (?–1117) and was built after her death. Over the years, the Sui communal house, temple, and pagoda were renovated and repaired many times, most extensively in 1633, 1636, 1641, 1701, and 1821. In 2005, the relic site was restored and the entire communal house, temple, and pagoda were upgraded (the State made a large investment with contributions from the people).

Currently, the relic site is concentrated on a high, spacious, and flat plot of land. The communal house, temple, and pagoda are built next to one another and connected by a system of small inner alleys. The relic site faces east; the communal house and pagoda are arranged in the “front deities, rear Buddha” pattern, with architectural components interwoven and interlocking. Outside are two large ceremonial pillars; in front of the temple, space is reserved for the village’s “forest of steles,” including doctoral laureate steles, merit steles, and others.

The temple dedicated to Y Lan consists of Tien Te (Front Ceremonial Hall), Phuong Dinh (Square Pavilion), and Hau Cung (Rear Sanctuary). The communal house consists of a five-bay Dai Dinh (Great Hall) and a two-bay Hau Cung. The pagoda is behind the communal house and has two rows of side buildings parallel to the communal house’s Hau Cung. The Tam Bao (Three Jewels Hall) is T-shaped with a five-bay Tien Duong (Front Hall) and a three-bay Hau Cung.

Sui Communal House, Temple, and Pagoda still retain many architectural decorations and artifacts from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

The communal house worships General Dao Lien Hoa. According to the legend, Dao Lien Hoa was from Ha Trung, Thanh Hoa Province, and grew up following Dinh Bo Linh in suppressing the rebellion of the 12 warlords and unifying the country. He was conferred the title Tay Vi Dai Vuong and once led our envoy mission to China to request investiture for Dinh Bo Linh. Upon returning home, he was appointed to rule the realm, command the land and naval forces, and serve as Grand General of the land and naval forces; he suppressed rebellion in Vu Ninh (Bac Ninh) and then established his main headquarters in Sui Village. He made many contributions and brought many benefits to the local people. When he died, King Dinh issued an edict allowing every village within his jurisdiction to build a temple to worship him. Every year, the villagers hold a festival on the third day of the third lunar month to commemorate him.

The Phu Thi Communal House, Temple, and Pagoda was ranked as a historical and architectural-artistic relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1989.