Lôi Âm Pagoda

Lôi Âm Pagoda is a famous ancient pagoda in Quảng Ninh, renowned for its beautiful scenery and spiritual sanctity.

The formal name of the pagoda is: "Linh Thứu Kỳ Sơn Lôi Âm tự" (靈鷲奇山雷音寺), which can be roughly understood as "Lôi Âm Pagoda on Linh Thứu Mountain". According to the legend still passed down at the pagoda, the name of the pagoda is explained as follows:

According to the Đại Nam nhất thống chí, in the section introducing pagodas, temples, and scenic spots of Quảng Ninh province, it is recorded that:

Through the remaining stone steles preserved to this day, it can be seen that Lôi Âm Pagoda was once a famous scenic site in Hải Đông and was built during the Trần dynasty. The pagoda currently still preserves several stone steles recording the times it was restored, such as the stele erected in the 8th year of Vĩnh Tộ (1626), which records: The abbots and nuns from the communes of Yên Hưng, Hoành Bồ, Hoa Phong districts, Hải Đông prefecture, An Bang region contributed merit to repair 1 compartment, 1 annex, the upper hall, the incense burning place... "Hundreds of blessings, thousands of fortunes, as numerous as the sands of the river, left for descendants for all generations."

In the 3rd year of Vĩnh Thuận (1660), the Buddhists again sincerely contributed to create 11 Buddha statues. The stele recording the third restoration can no longer be read for the date, but it clearly states that this restoration repaired 16 statues, 3 compartments of the upper hall, the front hall... "so that anyone who comes here and sees the pagoda must praise it." Some other stone steles at Vạn Triều Pagoda and Sùng Đức Pagoda (now in ruins, both in the area near Lôi Âm Pagoda) still remain to this day, all praising Lôi Âm Pagoda as a famous scenic site of Hải Đông at that time.

Having endured rain, sun, time, and war, Lôi Âm Pagoda was damaged and only in recent years has it been restored on the old foundation. The relics of the old pagoda that have been preserved include 14 stupas built of blue stone and brick, 2 stone basins, 1 stone incense pillar 2.48m high carved with lotus and chrysanthemum flowers, 5 stone steles with decorative patterns bearing the strong artistic imprint of the Lê - Mạc era (17th century), and many stone column bases. In addition, around the pagoda there are still ancient muỗm trees with trunks over 1m in diameter and many other large trees.

Situated beside Lôi Âm Pagoda, Yên Lập Lake is a highlight of the landscape here, like an ink wash painting that enhances the beauty of the pagoda. Originating from the need to supply irrigation water for Hoành Bồ and Yên Hưng districts, Yên Lập Lake was formed in 1975 and is considered the largest irrigation project in the province. On the lake are natural floating islands such as Bàn Tay Island, Canh Island, Cua Island, Giáp Giới Island... along with green pine hills covering the banks, further enhancing the scenery. Before reaching the foot of the mountain to climb up to the pagoda, pilgrims take a free motorboat across the lake and admire the magnificent landscape.

One of the unique features of Lôi Âm Pagoda is that visitors and Buddhists coming to worship at the pagoda usually carry a pair of red bricks as an offering to the pagoda. The bricks are prepared in advance by the pagoda, tied in pairs for those with strength and devotion. This custom exists because Lôi Âm is an ancient pagoda that had deteriorated. In recent times, the pagoda has been invested in for restoration and reconstruction of many structures, but transporting materials over high hills and mountains is truly labour-intensive. Thus, encouraging the devotion and effort of pilgrims, contributing little by little to make a great whole, is a good practice. When sincerely offering effort to the Buddha's gate, whether much or little, everyone carries a pair of bricks to show their sincerity and determination. Up to now (2016), the transportation of bricks has been completed, and visitors from all directions no longer have to each carry a pair of bricks up to the pagoda, but when Lôi Âm Pagoda is mentioned, that meaningful act is still remembered by many.

The 27th day of the first lunar month each year is the pagoda's ancestral commemoration day, on which a great number of visitors come to pray for peace and blessings.

According to the Đại Nam nhất thống chí, in the past, every first lunar month, young men and women would go out and the Lôi Âm Pagoda festival was the largest in the region. Now the old custom is still maintained, with the difference that besides worshipping the Buddha and watching cockfighting, wrestling, chess... visitors also have the opportunity to row boats on Yên Lập Lake, enjoy the scenery, immerse themselves in the mountains, water, clouds and sky, and contemplate the spiritual realm.