The One Pillar Pagoda one of the most important attractions in Hanoi and indeed in the whole of Vietnam. It’s an historic Buddhist temple in the nation’s capital. Vietnam is not short of historically and culturally important buildings, but together with the Perfume Temple, The One Pillar Pagoda is regarded as one of the two most revered of all Vietnamese temples.
The One Pillar Pagoda was erected by Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. According to the court records, he was childless and had a dreamt tin which he met the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who handed him a baby son while seated on a lotus flower. Ly Thai Tong married a peasant girl and she bore him a son. The emperor then constructed the temple in 1049 in gratitude. He was told by a monk named Thien Tue to build the temple, in its unusual manner, by erecting a single pillar in the middle of a lotus pond.
The temple is constructed of wood and stands on a single stone pillar four feet in diameter. It is designed to resemble a lotus blossom. The Buddhists believe that as lotus plants blossom in muddy pond they are a symbol of purity. In 1954, as French forces withdrew from Vietnam after the First Indochina War, they destroyed the pagoda. The One Pillar Pagoda was reconstructed afterwards.
The new reconstructed version of this historically important temple stands in a park in the north of the city of Hanoi. Like every thing else in Hanoi, attractions are easily visited. Just ask any taxi driver and they will take you to the location.
There was a replica built in Ho Chi Minh City in the late 1950s early 1960s. These temples are incredible important to the Vietnamese people, if you are in Hanoi don’t miss the chance of visiting this culturally important site.
Previously Published:
1: Giac Lam Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/the-stunning-giac-lam-pagoda
2: Vinh Nghiem Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-vinh-nghiem-pagoda
3: The Ong Temple https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-3-the-ong-pagoda
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