Tổ Pagoda
Bắc Ninh(Chùa Tổ)
Overview & history
Chùa Tổ, with the formal name Phúc Nghiêm Tự Pagoda, is located in Mãn Xá village, Song Liễu ward, Bắc Ninh province. The pagoda worships the Buddha and the Buddhist Mother Man Nương; this is also the homeland of Lady Man Nương in the legend of the Four Dharma Goddesses (Tứ Pháp) of the Kẻ Dâu, Luy Lâu region.
In addition to worshipping the Buddha and Man Nương, the pagoda also venerates:
- The great master Khâu Đà La
- Tu Định and his wife (the father and mother of Man Nương)
Khâu Đà La, Tu Định, and Man Nương are collectively called the Three Patriarchs (Tam Tổ) and are worshipped at Chùa Tổ. Meanwhile, Pháp Vân, Pháp Vũ, Pháp Lôi, and Pháp Điện, known as the Four Dharma Goddesses (Tứ Pháp), are worshipped at the Dâu, Đậu, Tướng, and Dàn pagodas respectively.
Every year, during the Dâu Festival on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, the procession groups from the Four Dharma pagodas—Dâu, Đậu, Tướng, and Dàn—gather together and proceed to Chùa Tổ to pay homage to the Buddhist Mother. Afterwards, the pagoda prepares sticky rice and ceremonial cakes (oản) to be equally shared among the Four Dharma sisters to take back to their respective pagodas.
Architecture
The pagoda was built in the 2nd century AD and was restored in 1313 with 50 compartments. A pair of parallel sentences (couplets) still records:
"Fifty splendid halls of the Buddhist sanctuary—southern heaven’s wondrous site;
Thousands upon thousands of generations of incense and flowers offered—northern land’s famous temple."
The current architecture of the pagoda dates to the Nguyễn dynasty. The pagoda has an ancient well, which, according to legend, was created when Man Nương planted the sacred staff of Khâu Đà La to form a well that saved the people from drought. Nearby is the Dragon’s Eye well, shaped like a crescent moon, which is also said never to run dry.
Photos
📷 Contribute photosVisiting 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: 21.15092, 106.15815
🧭 Directions on Google MapsReferences
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