PANO – Located in Gia Phuc village, Nguyen Trai commune, Thuong Tin district, Hanoi, Dau pagoda is easy to reach. This island pagoda is quiet and peaceful, thanks to the surrounding water.

Dau pagoda also takes another name: Phap Vu pagoda, which means the pagoda is dedicated to the Goddess of Rains. It was built during the Ly Dynasty and underwent a good number of embellishments.

Although situated not very far from National Highway No.1, the pagoda still remains peaceful and quiet. Visitors feel as if they could leave all the bustling life behind. The three-step, two-floor gate of the pagoda, including an old-age bell-tower, presents itself like a water-color painting. In front of and behind the gate are two large yards. Beside old statues, the most striking and special ones are the statues from the real flesh and bones of the pagoda’s monks Vu Khac Minh and Vu Khac Truong.

Dau pagoda

The two statues of the monks sit in the meditation position, with eyes loosely shut. The whole bodies were covered with earth in the shapes of the real monks and painted. Ordinary persons cannot die in that meditation sitting position. Only enlightened Zen masters can when they leave for the nirvana.

As the story goes, the bodies of the two monks were cremated after their death. However, their bodies did not either burn in the fire or dissolve in water. Time seemed to be unable to affect their bodies. Then, the bodies were covered in earth and painted into the two statues. These phenomena as well as the meditation methods of the two monks still remain a mystery to scientists.

Offering incense to the monks, a visitor would sit by the two statues for a long time. Doing this helps him understand more about the history of the country, the great efforts of the monks, and the Vietnamese people’s intelligence. It also makes him more proud to overcome difficulties in life and at work.

Dau pagoda in Hanoi is really a worth seeing place for everybody.

Translated by Huu Duong