Chùa Hang (Đồ Sơn) Pagoda

Chùa Hang, also known as Cốc Tự, is a Buddhist pagoda located in Zone 1, Đồ Sơn Ward, Hải Phòng City. It is considered the largest naturally formed pagoda within the Đồ Sơn historical relic complex. Many Vietnamese researchers believe this is the first place where Buddhism was introduced into Vietnam, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

Originally, Chùa Hang was established inside a mountain cave. According to legend, the pagoda was founded by an Indian (Thiên Trúc) monk who accompanied merchants to Giao Châu to propagate Buddhism in the 2nd century BCE. He stopped at Nê Lê, chose a cave to reside in and established the pagoda, later passing away there.

The original pagoda was built inside a mountain cave, 3.5 metres high and 7 metres wide, divided into two terraces. The outer terrace is about 23 square metres wide; the inner terrace is 0.50 metres higher, with the cave interior shaped like a trapezium, running straight and deep into the mountain, about 25 metres long. The innermost part is 1.2 metres high and 1.3 metres wide. Inside the cave is the worship site of Tổ sư Bần - Phật Quang, who, according to legend, was the teacher of Chử Đồng Tử, one of the Four Immortals of the Vietnamese people.

The pagoda is situated with its back deeply embedded in the mountain and its front facing the sea. Therefore, even when the outside climate is hot and harsh, the air inside Chùa Hang remains very cool and pleasant. In the past, the pagoda had a stone altar, a statue of Amitābha (Adiđà), and stone incense burners; there were also many poems about Chùa Hang carved on the rock walls. However, later, due to the circumstances of war, these no longer exist or have been completely destroyed.

Chùa Hang has undergone many renovations. Currently, the main pagoda structure is located about 100 metres from the old pagoda, consisting of three levels: the lowest level is used for the kitchen, the second level is the Tam Bảo (Triple Gem Hall), and the top level is the Tây Phương Hall. Essentially, the pagoda's worship architecture follows the style of 'Buddha in front, Deity behind', clearly influenced by the doctrine of the Three Teachings sharing the same origin (Tam giáo đồng nguyên).