Tu Hieu Pagoda – House for the Tombs of the Eunuchs in Hue
Where is Location of Tu Hieu Pagoda?
Tu Hieu Pagoda – The Root Temple (Chùa Từ Hiếu or Tổ Đình Từ Hiếu) is the name of a Buddhist Temple in Duong Xuan Thuong 3 village, Thuy Xuan ward, Hue city, Thua Thien-Hue province. The pagoda is also known as the Root Temple and is one of the greatest temples, a cultural and historical site of Hue Ancient Capital City of Vietnam. This is a place Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh – a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered around the world for his pioneering teachings on mindfulness, global ethics and peace, is living after returning to Vietnam from US.
- Location: Duong Xuan Thuong III, Thuy Xuan ward, Hue city
- Opening Hours: 5:30 – 18:00 every day
- Entry Ticket Price: Free of Charge
- Dress Code: Decent Cloths Recommended
History of Tu Hieu Pagoda – The Root Temple:
In 1843, after resigning “Tang Cang Giac Hoang Quoc Tu” and handing over the right to run Bao Quoc pagoda to the Dharma monk Nhat Niem, Venerable Nhat Dinh came here to start painting and erect “Thao Am An Duong” to meditate and looking after his old mother.
Most Venerable Nhat Dinh is famous for being a filial son. It is said that once his mother was seriously ill, every day he took care of his mother with medicine, but she still did not recover. Some people recommended that he should buy more fish & meat to nourish his mother, so that she could recover soon. After listening, despite the bad talk of the people, the Zen teacher still walked on the forest with a walking stick down to the market more than 5 km away to buy fish to bring home to cook for his mother.
The story reached Emperor Tu Duc’s ears, which was a very filial King to his mother. The king was very impressed by the heart of Nhat Dinh monk and bestowed upon “Sắc Tứ Từ Hiếu”. The pagoda has been named Tu Hieu since then. In the steles recording the process of building the temple explains:
- Từ: is the great virtue of Buddha, that helps to save all kinds.
- Hiếu: the Buddha’s virtue, that helps to cover heaven and earth.
Along with the contribution of Buddhists, King Tu Duc granted a lot of funding, the temple was also given by the officials in the Nguyen court, especially the eunuchs, who donated money to be worshipped later. In 1848,Head Monk Cuong Ky started to build a bigger temple.
In 1894, Venerable Cuong Ky continued to renovate and construct the entire panorama of the temple with the help of King Thanh Thai, superintendents and Buddhists. And in 1931, Venerable Hue Minh continued to renovate and build a semicircular lake. And in 1962, Venerable Chon Thiet continued to renovate and renovate the whole scene of the temple. In 1971, the pagoda was restored by the monk Chi Chi Niem of the three-door, semi-circular lake and damaged houses.
Architecture of Tu Hieu Pagoda:
Tu Hieu Pagoda is hidden in a pine forest on a hill (mountain) of Thuy Xuan ward. The area of the pagoda is about 8 acres, the front has a revolving water slot, romantic scenery.
In front of the temple gate, there is a 3-storey high tower. This was a place to store statues according to the king’s edict. The gate of the pagoda has the form of an arched, two-storey cover roof. Right in front of the paved road to enter the main hall, there is a semicircular lake with lotus and ornamental fish. The structure of the pagoda is in the form of a three-wings, two-roofs temple. The main hall of worshiping Buddha first, then Quang Hieu Duong. In the rear house, there is a project of worshiping the army of the Governor-General Le Van Duyet and his wooden horse and the great sword.
Two sides of the temple yard have two little houses with stelas to record the history of temple construction. The pagoda has the style of the main hall with three bases, two wings. The back room is Quang Hiếu Hall, worshiping the holy saint in the middle. On the left is for worshiping the spirit of Buddhists. The right is for worshiping the eunuchs. Ta Lac Thien (the monk) on the left side of the back yard. And on the right, there is Huu Ai Nhat (a guest house).
Around Tu Hieu Pagoda, there are also many tombs for concubines of the Nguyen Lords (1558-1777). And also there are tombs for eunuchs of the Nguyen’s Emperors (1802-1945). Because of the beautiful, quiet location, easy way to get here and close to Hue city. This is a place for locals to go on holidays and some special days. Tu Hieu Pagoda is one of the best ancient temples to attract domestic and foreign tourists in Hue City.
