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| According to documents, Vien Quang Pagoda was built during the Le Dynasty on a low hill. Initially, the pagoda was called Sai Mang. After being destroyed by a storm, the local people contributed to rebuild it with the new name Vien Quang (meaning perfect, beautiful light). The ancient gate of Vien Quang Pagoda has a 2-storey, ancient moss-covered architecture, built with laterite and decorated with embossed images of the four sacred animals with skillful art. |
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| In front of the temple gate, there are also two stone steles engraved with Chinese characters. According to the elders, during the resistance war, when the temples and communal houses in the village were destroyed, these steles were moved and erected here by the villagers. The inscriptions (translation) clearly state the names of many famous scholars in the village and commune. |
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| The two main structures of the pagoda are the worshiping hall (3 horizontal compartments) and the upper palace (3 vertical compartments) built next to each other with a rather modest area. In the photo: The worshiping hall |
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| This place still preserves many ancient artifacts with dozens of wooden statues. On the altar in the worshiping hall, there is a set of Buddha statues of the three worlds, carved in the style of meditating, sitting on a lotus throne, which is considered the most precious. |
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| The harem is a place to worship many statues of saints and gods, including many statues of female saints. |
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In the temple grounds, there are also two ancient tombs, buried in front, on the right side of the temple. Legend has it that the large tomb is the burial place of Buddha statues damaged when the old temple collapsed due to natural disasters and the small tomb is the resting place of an abbot who made great contributions in rebuilding the temple. |
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| The changes at Vien Quang Pagoda are also reflected in the solemn atmosphere of practice and the expansion of scouting activities. Great festivals such as praying for national peace and prosperity, Buddha's Birthday, Vu Lan, Buddha's Enlightenment, etc. are solemnly organized by the pagoda, attracting tens of thousands of Buddhists and tourists to participate. |
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Having existed for hundreds of years, Vien Quang Pagoda has also witnessed many important historical events of the locality. In the years 1930 - 1931, the pagoda was a meeting place for revolutionaries participating in secret activities. When the French came to set up a military base here, they turned Vien Quang Pagoda into one of three places to imprison and torture loyal cadres and party members. In the photo: Ceremony to worship the Hung Kings at Vien Quang Pagoda. |
After many years of degradation, in 2010, the pagoda was approved for restoration by the Provincial People's Committee. Two years later, the pagoda was officially rebuilt and renovated. The old main hall was moved to the right side of the pagoda and restored to a relic. A new, spacious 2-storey main hall with a total floor area of nearly 1,000 m2has been built. The ground floor is the ancestral house, the upper floor is the main hall to worship Buddha Shakyamuni. Several other buildings have been and are being built.
