Tu Hieu Pagoda – a pagoda with a special history of the ancient capital

Located in Duong Xuan Thuong III village, Thuy Xuan ward, Hue city, Thua Thien-Hue province, Tu Hieu Pagoda or Tu Hieu Ancestral Communal House is one of the large ancient temples and an important cultural and historical landmark of the ancient capital of Hue. Photo: The three gates of the pagoda. Legend has it that in 1843, Venerable Nhat Dinh came here to open a painting and build "Thao Am An Duong" to cultivate and nurture his elderly mother. Impressed by the filial heart of the monk Nhat Dinh, King Tu Duc gave the pagoda "Four Colors of Tu Hieu Tu". The pagoda has been named Tu Hieu since then. Photo: Semicircular lake behind the Tamguan gate. The stele recording the construction process of the pagoda explains the name of the pagoda as follows: "Words" is the great virtue of the Buddha, if not from words, what can be used to continue the four births to help all beings. "Filial piety" is the first virtue of the Buddha, if you are not filial, what will you take to achieve the realm of mysteries that cover heaven and earth? Photo: The main hall of the pagoda. Along with the contributions of Buddhists and grants from King Tu Duc, the pagoda was also offered money by officials in the Nguyen Dynasty, especially eunuchs, to take care of future worship. In 1848, Venerable Cuong Ky began to build a larger pagoda and then Tu Hieu became a large pagoda. Overall, Tu Hieu Pagoda is hidden in a pine forest on a hill of Thuy Xuan ward. The pagoda campus is about 8 acres, in front of which there is a water channel winding around, poetic scenery. The works of the pagoda include the three gates of the temple, the semicircular lake, the beer floor, the main hall, Quang Hieu Duong... The main hall of the pagoda has three halls, two pavilions, in front of the Buddha worship, behind the ancestor worship. In the temple grounds, there are many ancient tomb towers, which are the resting places of many famous monks of the ancient capital of Hue. In particular, there is also a tomb area dedicated to the eunuchs of the Nguyen Dynasty on the temple grounds. There are also tombs of the concubines of the Nguyen lords. Today, Tu Hieu Pagoda is one of the ancient pagodas that welcomes the largest number of domestic and foreign tourists in the ancient capital of Hue. According to Knowledge and Life