Vietnam Pagodas

Báo Thiên Tower

Hà Nội(Tháp Báo Thiên)

Overview & history

Báo Thiên Tower (chữ Hán: 報天塔), with the full name Đại Thắng Tư Thiên Bảo Tháp (大勝資天寳塔), was built in 1057 at Báo Thiên Pagoda, now located on the western edge of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hà Nội (the site is on Nhà Chung street, near the Cathedral). This tower was up to 100 trượng tall, with a total of 12 storeys. The topmost storey was made of bronze, while the lower storeys were made of stone and brick.

The tower was ranked among the An Nam tứ đại khí, the four national treasures, alongside the Quỳnh Lâm Pagoda Buddha statue, the Phổ Minh Cauldron, and the Quy Điền Bell.

History

Báo Thiên Tower was described by two scholars, Phạm Đình Hổ and Nguyễn Án, as follows in the book Tang Thương Ngẫu Lục:

The "Đại Thắng Tư Thiên Tower" at Báo Thiên Pagoda was erected during the reign of Lý Thánh Tông. This tower was built with 12 storeys, several dozen trượng high... Around the Xuande era of the Ming dynasty, the First Emperor of the previous dynasty [Lê Lợi] advanced his army to besiege Đông Đô. The official defending the citadel, Thành-sơn-hầu Vương Thông, demolished the tower [to use the materials] to cast bronze cannons for the defence of the citadel [1414]. The previous dynasty, using the old foundation, piled up earth mounds to cover it... In the year Giáp Dần [1791], bricks and stones from the old tower foundation were again excavated to repair the Thăng Long ramparts. When the foundation was demolished, eight statues of Vajra were found, standing at the four gates, as well as statues of immortals, birds and beasts, even stone beds, chairs, bowls, and countless other miscellaneous items, all made of stone.

Architecture

Historical records state that the tower was 20 trượng high, divided into 12 storeys. The tower's pinnacle was made of bronze. The body of the tower was built with decorative bricks inscribed with the words Lý gia đệ tam đế, Long thụy Thái Bình [1054-1058], tứ niên tạo, meaning "Cast in the fourth year of the Long thụy Thái Bình era, under the third emperor of the Lý dynasty."

Báo Thiên Tower in Poetry and Literature

Phạm Sư Mạnh (14th century), a native of Hải Dương and a doctoral laureate during the reign of Trần Minh Tông [1314-1329], composed the following poem about Báo Thiên Tower:

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:

References

Other pagodas in Hà Nội

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