Kim Nguu Temple with traces of Uy Minh Vuong - Ly Nhat Quang

Kim Nguu Tu Pagoda is located in the relic complex of the ancient Bach Ngoc area, currently 3 communes: Ngoc Son, Lam Son, Boi Son (Do Luong). The location of the pagoda is at Con Chua in hamlet 2 of Boi Son commune. Kim Nguu Tu was built by Uy Minh Vuong - Ly Nhat Quang with the dharma name Ly Nhat An in 1041. The purpose of building Kim Nguu Tu is to honor and turn one's heart towards Buddha.

Kim Nguu Pagoda was for a long time a place of worship for Uy Minh Vuong - Ly Nhat Quang. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

The temple has a campus of 4,550m2.², in the pagoda there are many ancient statues and many valuable sacrificial objects. In 1948, because the French bombed Qua Son Temple, all the statues and sacrificial objects in the pagoda were moved by the people to Ba But Pagoda, now Lam Son Commune (Do Luong) to use Kim Nguu Tu as a place to worship the holy Uy Minh Vuong - Ly Nhat Quang. From then on, the pagoda was called Qua Son Temple.

For 49 years, it was called Qua Son Temple. Until 1997, Qua Son Temple on the old land was restored, all the sacrificial objects in Kim Nguu Tu were moved to the Temple. Then Kim Nguu Tu became a ruin with no one to take care of it. In that situation, the Party Committee and people of Boi Son commune, together with Buddhists, determined to restore Kim Nguu Tu.

Kim Nguu Tu was completely restored to its original state, including two ancient buildings with original T-shaped architecture. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

By 2007-2008, Kim Nguu Tu was completely restored to its original state, consisting of two ancient buildings with the original T-shaped architecture. Buddha statues were arranged in the main hall. On the top floor are three statues of Tam The, 0.65m high and 0.45m wide. On the second floor is a statue of Amitabha Buddha, on the third floor is a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and next is the Nine Dragons of Sakyamuni Buddha, 1m high and 1m wide.

The five worship items including the lamp post, flower vase, and lamp are kept intact. On the left side of Kim Nguu Pagoda is a statue of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, on the left and right sides are ancient crane statues 1.2m high, 0.60m wide. Right in front of the Pagoda door are two crocodiles facing each other, 0.65m high, 1.2m long.

The system of Buddha statues in Kim Nguu Pagoda. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

All the corners of the ancient curved roof of Kim Nguu Tu are decorated with patterns and motifs in the style of the Nguyen Dynasty. The temple yard is airy, 150 square meters wide, in front of the yard is a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara 3.5 meters high, 1 meter wide x 1.2 meters. The temple grounds are clean and beautiful. In front of the temple is a lake that regulates the cool air on hot summer days.

Kim Nguu Pagoda has returned to its original name for more than 10 years, which is also a legitimate wish to satisfy the spiritual and cultural needs of the people in the area. Currently, Buddhists from everywhere come to the pagoda to pray regularly. Religious activities at the pagoda comply with the religious and belief laws, always towards goodness, expressing the people's wishes to cultivate virtue, show gratitude to Buddha, and remember the source of water when drinking. In 2018, Kim Nguu Pagoda was ranked as a provincial historical relic.