BÚT THÁP PAGODA

From Dâu Village (Milestone N° 25), follow the road that runs towards the Đuống River to the North, go 4 km further and you'll arrive at Bút Tháp Pagoda. It is called "Bút Tháp” (Pen-brush Tower) because 011 the top of which there is a pen-brush-shaped ornament. In fact, its official name is Ninh Phúc. It is located to the West of Bút Tháp Hamlet, Đình Tổ Commune, Thuận Thành District, Bắe Ninh Province. From the dyke of the Đuống River, at the point where there is a path to go down to Bút Tháp Hamlet, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Pagoda with its tower looking like a colossal pen-brush sticking out skywards from layers of curved roofs amidst the green foliage of the nearby trees.

To visit the Pagoda, you first have to go through a three-entranced gate, then you pass by a two-storey bell-tower with eight roofs to Hộ Pagoda. In this Pagoda, there are two giant statues of Hộ Pháp (Dharma Guardians) whose heads almost touch the ceiling. Behind Ho Pagoda are the incense burning house and the Main Pagoda. Built on a blue stone- covered foundation over 1 m in height, the Main Pagoda is bordered by a banister composed of 26 stone slabs carved with lively motifs: tree, plant, flower, leaf, man, horse, deer, monkey, goat, lion, unicorn, dragon, phoenix, bird, fish, etc. These stone slabs are fixed between stone pillars the tops of which are carved into lotus buds. In the Main Pagoda, there are many Buddhist statues the most characteristic of which is that of Kwan- Yin, 3.70 m high, having 11 heads and about a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. Her front face looks gentle, beautiful but solemn. Each check represents another face wearing a lotus-shaped hat. Besides, there are three rows of heads (eight heads disposed in a pyramid on the top of which is placed a small statue). In addition to the two arms whose palsm pressed together in front of the breast, there are 40 harmoniously disposed arms sticking out from the back. Around these arms are 952 arms, each carrying an eye in the middle. These spreading arms look like a halo around the statue's head. Over the statue's head, there is a pair of sacred birds whose heads and bodies are close to each other, their wings spreading out. The statue represents Kwan- Yin's great humanity and her penetration of human beings' misfortunes, being willing to lend her helping hand to them. The statue rests on a lotus-shaped seat supported by a dragon. Below are ornamented motifs: wave, water crab, shrimp, shell, tortoise, dragon, lion, book, fan, etc. On the four comer of the foundation are the statues of four herculean men with lively faces and sturdy bodies. These statues are made from very precious wood and of detachable parts. On the pedestal of the statue of Kwan-Yin, there is an inscription telling that a craftsman whose family name is Trương made this statue in Autumn 1656. Behind the Main Pagoda is a stone bridge with three arched spans. Attached to the two parapets of the bridge are stone slabs carved with motifs of flowers, leaves, animals and birds. The bridge links the Main Pagoda with Tích Thiện Small Pagoda, a three-storied building with layered roofs. This Pagoda rises above the surrounding constructions. In the building, there is a wooden eight-sided nine- storey lotus-shaped tower that may turn round a vertical axis. The tower is adorned with Buddha's statue and carved images of Buddhist and secular worlds. Behind Tích Thiện Small Pagoda are three rows of buildings parallel to one another: the Middle Sanctuary, the Worshipping Mansion and the Back Sanctuary. The Middle Sanctuary is the meeting place of bonzes.- The Worshipping Mansion shelters the statues of Queen Mother Trịnh Thị Ngọc Trúc, Princess Lê Thị Ngọc Duyên and Trịnh Seigneur's Sister Trịnh Thị Ngọc Cơ. Those are the people who greatly contributed to the reconstruction of the Pagoda in the 17th century. The Back Sanctuary contains the statues of the patriarchs of the Pagoda, in which there is that of the second patriarch, Lê Minh Hạnh who together with Queen Mother Trịnh Thị Ngọc Trúc contributed a major part to the reconstruction of the Pagoda. Across "the left hand side corridor is the “Worshipping Hall of the First Patriarch" with the statue of the 1st patriarch (Chuyếí Chuyết) who died in 1644. Near this hall, there is a small well built with stone and bricks decorated with pictures of lotus petals and other flowers. Its water is very clear and cool. In the precinct of the Pagoda, there are also beautiful towers, the most famous of which is Báo Nghiêm Tower containing the ashes of patriarch Chuyết Chuyết. It is an octagonal five-storey stone construction, over 13 m high, with the top shaped like a wine gourd. The places between the storeys are adorned with a curved roof; A small bell is hung at a comer of the highest storey. The square ground storey is over 3 m wide and is surrounded by two walls. The outer wall is composed of eight stone pillars at eight corners, supporting stone slabs carved with beautiful ornaments (flower, leaf, bird), liking the pillars with one another. The inner wall is also decorated with a finely carved balustrade. The inside floor of the ground storey is a round space where the statue of the first patriarch is placed. The entrance was built with two sheets of stone which can be opened or shut at will. Behind the Back Sanctuary stands Tôn Đức Tower 10 m high, with five storeys. It contains the ashes of Minh Hạnh Partriarch. Bút Tháp is really a famous beauty spot of Vietnam.