Chua Ba Da
@ Ba Da Pagoda @ Linh Quang Pagoda, Nha Tho Street, Hanoi
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Chua Ba Da, or Ba Da Pagoda, is located at the end of a narrow alley off Nha Tho Street, the street that runs between the Ho Hoan Kiem and the St Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi, Vietnam. I must admit that it took me a few tries before I found it. I had read about Chua Ba Da and its significance, but was unable to find that narrow gateway into the alley despite walking up and down Nha Tho Street a few times. I was quite jubilant when I finally found that narrow alley leading to the temple.
Chua Ba Da has taken different names in different times, including Tien Thi, Tu Thap and Huong Nghia, among others. It was constructed during in ancient Thang Long Kingdom, in Tho Xuong District. According to the stalae discovered in the grounds of the pagoda, Ba Da Pagoda was originally called Sung Khanh Pagoda. It was built in 1056AD, during the lunar Year of the Monkey, during the Ly Thanh Ton Dynasty. By the time of the Hong Duc Dynasty (1470-1498), the original pagoda had long disappeared. During the construction of the Thang Long citadel, workers discovered a stone statue of a woman at this site. That statue was considered sacred and was worshipped. That stone statue has since disappeared.
Chua Ba Da is located at the end of a narrow alley off Nha Tho Street.
During the Le Trinh Dynasty (1767-1782), workers were once again excavating this site for the construction of a new pagoda. No sooner had the walls of the pagoda been built that they collapsed. So workers continued to dig deeper into the earth. They rediscovered the stone statue. When the pagoda was completed, people from all over the country flocked to the pagoda to pay homage to the statue. By then the pagoda had gotten its present name, Chua Ba Da.
In 1793, a Buddhist priest by the name of Khoan Giai Tu Son Mon Hong Phuc visited Chua Ba Da. He had the pagoda rebuilt, and gave it a new name, Linh Quong Tu. Nevertheless the name Chua Ba Da continues to be the most commonly used for this pagoda.
During French colonial time, Chua Ba Da became the base for the resistance movement. The movement received support from the influential Buddhist monks. After the victory of the August revolution, the pagoda played host to Ho Chi Minh in a ceremony to honour soldiers who died in the revolution.
Today Chua Ba Da is classified as one of Hanoi's historical and heritage site. It is also the headquarters of the Municipal Buddhist Association.
Visitors to Chua Ba Da will be surprised that at the end of a narrow alley is this beautiful temple. The interior is spacious and has a big line-up of Buddha statues on the central altar.
How to go to Chua Ba Da
It was difficult for me to find Chua Ba Da, so I hope my explanation here will make it less troublesome for you. Chua Ba Da is located on Nha Tho Street, which runs from the west bank of the Ho Hoan Kiem, in the direction of the St Joseph's Cathedral. As you walk towards the cathedral, look for the gateway to the alley (see picture in the photo gallery) on the left side of the street. It is located next to No 5. Nha Tho Street. Once you find the gateway, you'll be able to find Chua Ba Da.
Chua Ba Da Photo Gallery
Please click the thumbnail on the left to view more photos of the Chua Ba Da.
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