Having existed for nearly five centuries, Cho Hen Pagoda in Hung Yen Bac commune (Hung Nguyen district) still preserves many unique ancient statues and stone steles. This is a historical site associated with the famous Cho Hen Pagoda Festival.
Cho Hen Pagoda, built around the 15th century, was formerly known as Phuc Son Temple, Hien Phuc Temple, etc. Located on the slopes of Chua Mountain, now in Hamlet 3, Hung Yen Bac Commune (Hung Nguyen District), the pagoda boasts a beautiful and unique landscape. Near the pagoda is Cho Hen Market, hence the name Cho Hen Pagoda (Clam Market Pagoda) from ancient times. Photo: Huy Thu Through numerous restoration and renovation projects, the pagoda has acquired its current appearance, with architectural structures such as the triple gate, ceremonial gate, lower hall, upper hall, waiting area, etc. The lower hall of Cho Hen Pagoda is a three-bay building situated horizontally, with many steps leading up and down, and the front of the hall is quite elaborately decorated. Photo: Huy Thu The main hall of Cho Hen Pagoda is a long, narrow building, with altars arranged throughout from front to back. The pagoda houses multiple religious practices: it worships Buddha, the Mother Goddess, and deities who have contributed to the nation and its people. Photo: Huy ThuAt Cho Hen Pagoda, many valuable ancient artifacts of historical, cultural, and artistic significance are preserved, such as royal decrees, large inscriptions, couplets, dragon thrones, dragon palanquins, and numerous documents written in Chinese characters. Particularly noteworthy are the many unique ancient statues. Photo: Huy ThuThe temple doesn't have many ancient statues, but they are diverse in type and size... The statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, with its benevolent and compassionate beauty, is depicted in a serene meditative posture on a lotus throne, with both hands clasped on his thighs, a rather unique image. Photo: Huy ThuTwo gilded Buddha statues, depicting Buddha meditating on lotus thrones, are relatively similar in size, hair, facial features, and clothing, especially the distinctive detail on the forehead, a feature rarely seen in ancient temples in the province. Photo: Huy ThuThe statue of the Holy Mother or Goddess sits with her hands clasped in front of her chest, wearing a floral headdress and a flowing, pleated robe, exuding a purely Vietnamese beauty. Photo: Huy ThưAlthough the exact date of creation has not been determined, observing the shape and paint, many local elders affirm that the ancient wooden statues at Cho Hen Pagoda are very old, at least several hundred years old. Photo: Huy ThuBesides the medium-sized statues, approximately 1m - 1.3m tall, the temple also houses smaller statues, only about 0.3 - 0.4m tall, but quite distinctive in their shape, facial features, clothing, and headwear... Photo: Huy ThuAccording to Mr. Nguyen Ba Canh, the caretaker of Cho Hen Pagoda, the pagoda previously had an ancient stone stele attached to the back of a turtle, which was lost during the war. Currently, to the left of the lower hall, next to the altar of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, there is still a stele inscribed with Chinese characters. Cho Hen Pagoda was classified as a Provincial-level Historical and Cultural Relic in 1999. Every year, in addition to Buddhist rituals and commemorations of deities, the pagoda also holds a festival in April, attracting a large number of local people and tourists from all over. Photo: Huy Thu
