Vietnam Pagodas

Kim Ngân Pagoda

Ninh Bình(Chùa Kim Ngân)

Overview & history

Kim Ngân Pagoda is an ancient pagoda, built in the 10th century during the reign of King Lê Đại Hành. The pagoda is located within the special protection zone of the Hoa Lư Ancient Capital relic complex (Ninh Bình). Like other relics in the Hoa Lư Ancient Capital heritage complex, the pagoda was designated a Special National Relic in 2012.

Location

Kim Ngân Pagoda is situated in the ancient village of Chi Phong, Trường Yên commune, Hoa Lư city, Ninh Bình. From Hoa Lư city, it is about 11 km to the pagoda via Tràng An Avenue or National Highway 38B.

Kim Ngân Pagoda is located on a 2,000 m² plot of land, adjacent to Quèn Vuông, which is the connecting point between the East and West citadels of the former Hoa Lư capital.

Kim Ngân Pagoda lies next to Đại Vân Mountain, very close to the temple of King Đinh Tiên Hoàng. The pagoda faces southeast and consists of the main hall, patriarchs' house, guest room, dining hall, stupa...

History

Kim Ngân Pagoda is also called Ngần Pagoda because it is located in the Đồng Ngần area, or Đại Vân Pagoda because it stands at the foot of Đại Vân Mountain. Legend has it that the pagoda was built on the site of the warehouse of King Đinh – King Lê, hence the name Kim Ngân Pagoda, meaning 'Gold Pagoda'. According to historical records, in the spring of 987, King Lê Đại Hành first ploughed the tịch điền field at Đọi Mountain and found a small jar of gold. Then, ploughing at Bàn Hải Mountain, he found a small jar of silver, and thus the field was named Kim Ngân (Gold and Silver) Field.

Kim Ngân Pagoda, together with Am Tiên Pagoda, Duyên Ninh Pagoda, Cổ Am Pagoda, and Nhất Trụ Pagoda, are ancient pagodas from the Đinh – Lê era located within the grounds of the Hoa Lư citadel that still exist today. Among them, Duyên Ninh Pagoda and Kim Ngân Pagoda are located in the western citadel of the ancient capital. Like Nhất Trụ Pagoda, Kim Ngân Pagoda is a place of worship for the Buddha and 10th-century monks such as Pháp Thuận, Khuông Việt, and Vạn Hạnh.

Kim Ngân Pagoda today is an ancient pagoda, nestled beside the Đại Vân mountain range, which was once the citadel of Hoa Lư. In Trường Yên commune, there are currently six pagodas: Nhất Trụ Pagoda, Am Tiên Pagoda, Kim Ngân Pagoda, Cổ Am Pagoda, Bà Ngô Pagoda, and Duyên Ninh Pagoda. Legend has it that each pagoda is associated with a different legend: for blessings, go to Cổ Am Pagoda; for prosperity, go to Kim Ngân Pagoda; for fame, go to Nhất Trụ Pagoda; for longevity, go to Bà Ngô Pagoda; for wealth, go to Am Tiên Pagoda; and for love, go to Duyên Ninh Pagoda...

The parallel sentences in front of the Tiền bái (Front Hall) read:

"Cổ bát sinh hoa non phong thiên thu dụng khí tốt

Bồ đề kết quả chi đình vạn thế ngưỡng linh thanh"

Tentative translation:

The Buddha's root blossoms, the mountain's spirit shares good energy for a thousand years

The bodhi bears fruit, this place is revered for its sacredness for all time.

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: 20.28241, 105.90088

🧭 Directions on Google Maps

References

Other pagodas in Ninh Bình

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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.
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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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Chùa Thanh Am
Thanh Am Pagoda, also known as Thanh Am Tự or Vật Pagoda, is an ancient pagoda located in Tiền hamlet, Hư Tả commune, Nam Chân district, Trấn Sơn nam hạ, now situated in Đoài Đông hamlet, Vị Khê ward, Ninh Bình province. Thanh Am Pagoda still preserves many high-value artistic carvings from the Lê Trung Hưng period. The pagoda festival is held on the 14th and 15th days of the second lunar month. In addition to the procession of sacred texts, ritual offerings, and recitation of Buddhist verses, there are also children's wrestling matches, and wrestlers from the region come to perform for the deities and compete for prizes.
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Chùa Tràn
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.
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Chùa Tự Lạc
Tự Lạc Pagoda, with the formal name Thái An tự, is located in Hamlet 11, Xuân Hưng Commune, Ninh Bình Province. During the period of revolution and resistance against the French, the pagoda served as a place to shelter communist cadres and print documents. At the pagoda, the monk Thích Thanh Điến actively mobilised Buddhists to support the revolutionary movement and the resistance movement against French colonialism. The pagoda was the site where the first Communist Party cell of the three districts of Xuân Trường, Hải Hậu, and Giao Thủy was established. The festival of Tự Lạc Pagoda and Temple is held annually on the death anniversary of Đức Triệu Việt Vương, which falls on the 13th day of the eighth lunar month. On 26 February 2003, Tự Lạc Pagoda was recognised as a Historical and Cultural Site.
Chùa Bà Ngô (Ninh Bình)
Chùa Bà Ngô (Ninh Bình)
Bà Ngô Pagoda is an ancient pagoda belonging to the special national relic complex of the former capital Hoa Lư. The pagoda was built during the Đinh dynasty, right beside the right bank of the Hoàng Long River dyke and adjacent to the outer area of the old Hoa Lư citadel. Bà Ngô Pagoda was founded by Lady Ngô, the empress of Đinh Tiên Hoàng and mother of one of the Twelve Warlords, Ngô Nhật Khánh.