Vietnam PagodasDictionary of Vietnamese pagodas & temples

Đùng Pagoda

Ninh Bình(Chùa Đùng)

Đùng Pagoda

Overview & history

Đùng Pagoda, also known as Địa Tạng Phi Lai Pagoda, is a tourist destination located in Chanh Ninh hamlet, Thanh Bình commune, Ninh Bình province, Vietnam. The pagoda is situated 26 km north of the provincial centre of Ninh Bình. Đùng Pagoda was built during the Đinh – Lê dynasties in the 10th century. The pagoda is nestled entirely within the Phi Lai mountain range, with its back against the mountain and flanked on both sides by the 'left Thanh Long – right Bạch Hổ' (Green Dragon to the left, White Tiger to the right) geomantic configuration.

Architecture

Địa Tạng Phi Lai Pagoda features a very distinctive and unique arrangement of its grounds, based on the natural terrain and creative design in line with Buddhist philosophy. The paths leading into the pagoda are all decorated with lotuses. Each season brings a different type of flower; when the lotus season ends, the pagoda plants other flowers for decoration, such as water lilies and chrysanthemums. The courtyard leading into the pagoda is covered with layers of white pebbles, with a cool layer of bricks on top forming a walkway. Right in front of the Tổ đường (Founders’ Hall), twelve circles are drawn on the pebble ground, symbolising the twelve links of dependent origination in human life.

With the main colours being brown, yellow, and white, the pagoda is constructed from natural, familiar materials such as wood, bamboo, rattan, traditional tiles, terracotta, ceramics, and porcelain. Bricks imprinted with lotus flowers or dragon motifs, curved shoe-shaped tiles, statues of the Garuda divine bird, and stone steles engraved with images of phoenixes are among the antiques that once adorned the ancient Đùng Pagoda a thousand years ago.

To the right of the Tam bảo (Main Hall) is the Founders’ Hall, where 42 patriarchs who once served as abbots of the pagoda are venerated. In addition, the pagoda complex contains many other architectural structures such as the shrine to Bodhisattva Quan Thế Âm, Đức Ông and Đức Thánh Hiền (Venerable Lord and Holy Sages), residential quarters for monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists, a lecture hall where monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists listen to the abbot’s daily teachings and where retreats are held, and guesthouses for visitors from all directions and those participating in retreats and experiences at the pagoda.

Photos

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Visiting tips

Dress modestly; remove hats and keep quiet inside the main hall.
Incense, flowers and offerings are usually sold right outside the gate; light an odd number of sticks (1 or 3).
Most pagodas open from early morning to evening and are free to enter (some major sites charge a small scenic fee).
Full-moon days, the 1st of the lunar month and Tet are very crowded; visit on weekday mornings for a quiet experience.
Ask permission before photographing inside shrines; do not touch statues or altar objects.

Read more & references

Useful links to learn more before your visit:

Location

Coordinates: 20.27219, 105.86487

🧭 Directions on Google Maps

References

Other pagodas in Ninh Bình

Chùa Bà Đanh

Bà Đanh Pagoda is a pagoda located in Đanh village, Kim Bảng ward, Ninh Bình province, covering an area of about 10 hectares. The pagoda faces south towards the Đáy River. On the outermost side, adjacent to the road and near the riverbank, is the pagoda's tam quan (three-entrance gate). This structure is built on an elevated foundation, raised above five steps, with both ends constructed as solid walls. The tam quan has three compartments and is built with two storeys. The upper storey has two layers of roofs covered with southern-style tiles, and around the wooden floor is a balustrade with decorative balusters. This upper floor is used as a bell tower, while the three compartments below have a system of doors made from ironwood.

Chùa Đồng Vũ

Đồng Vũ Pagoda is located in Đồng Vũ hamlet, Đạo Lý commune, Lý Nhân district. According to the inscription carved on the 'Sùng Khánh tự bia' stele, dated to the 4th year of the Nguyên Thống era (1525), the pagoda was built in the early Lê Sơ period, on a raised plot of land, isolated to the south of the village. In the 13th year of Bảo Đại (1937), the village relocated the pagoda to a plot of land to the left of the đình (communal house), facilitating the religious activities of the villagers. At present, the pagoda still preserves many ancient and rare worship objects and valuable works of art, among which the stone khánh (a type of lithophone gong) is particularly notable.

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Tràn Pagoda, also known as Phúc Lâm Tự, is an ancient pagoda. In the past, it was located in Tràn village, hence its name; today, it is situated in Khang Giang hamlet, Yên Đồng commune, Ninh Bình province. The pagoda was built during the Lý dynasty (late 11th century). Initially, it was constructed with earthen walls and thatched roofs; up to now, the pagoda has undergone three major restorations. On the bell tower of the pagoda, there remains a parallel sentence composed by Phạm Văn Nghị, a Nguyễn dynasty doctoral laureate.

Chùa Tự Lạc

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Chùa Bà Ngô (Ninh Bình)

Chùa Bà Ngô (Ninh Bình)

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