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Table of Contents
I/ Introduction…………………………………………………..2
II/ Historical Background………………………………………3
III/ Religious Beliefs and Practices…………………………….4
IV/ Architecture, Statues and Altars……………………………5
1. Architecture………………………………………………..5
2. Statues and Altars………………………………………....9
V/ Heroes, Legends and Festivals………………………………15
VI/ Advice for Visitors………………………………………….16
VII/ List of References……………………………………….....18
I. INTRODUCTION
In recent years, Vietnam has become one of the most famous
destinations in the world. Every year, there are many foreign tourists
traveling to Vietnam. They visit Vietnam for many purposes such as:
business, vacation… but as we see their main purpose is learning about
Vietnam culture or visiting some famous landscapes in Vietnam. And
especially, many of them like visiting pagodas in Vietnam.
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In Asia countries, pagoda is a very special and sacred place. It makes
people who come to visit pagoda feel very safe, peaceful. And if they can
understand about the pagoda where they visit, it will be more interesting.
That is the reason why we write this report. This is also a good chance for us
to know more about pagoda, about language which is used to talk about
pagoda. It is very useful and good for our job in the future. After finishing
this report, we also know how to organize information in the report, and
especially our English writing skill has improved very much.
So we would like to thank our teachers very much who gave us this
project and helped us this project successfully.
As you know, in Vietnam, here are so many pagodas, people can visit

After 100 days, two princesses had mastered miracles, they killed the
fox. So that, after they died, King Ly decided to build this pagoda to
dedicate two princesses.
The official name of the pagoda is Thien Nien but local people
nowadays call it Trich Sai pagoda because it is located in Trich Sai village.
Thien Nien pagoda was built under the reign of King Ly Nam De in the sixth
century. Fifteenth centuries has passed, the appearance of the pagoda has
changed a lot after many restoration and repairs. But Thien Nien pagoda as
you see today is the result of a big restoration undertaken in the middle of
the 19
th
century. However, from 15
th
century until now, it was rebuilt many
times especially in 2002 with the surrounding walls and all names of people
who helped to rebuild pagoda were written on the stone stele in pagoda.
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This pagoda is very large. It covers area of about 10000 m2. It is
surrounding by many big trees and lies on the bank of West Lake. It is very
pleasant for people coming here.
Inside the pagoda, there is a small bell. It was castled in 1862 (under
the reign of King Minh Mang) and 41 statues are kept inside pagoda.
III. RELIGIOUS, BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
As you know, Buddhism had its origins in India, it was founded by a
crow prince Siddhartha.
The main idea of Buddhism is to help people to get away from all
sufferings of the life, to go to Nirvana.
Buddhism was introduced into Vietnam through two ways: from
China and directly from India. Buddhism was accepted by Vietnamese

pagoda say prayers to hope that they will understand Buddha’s theory and be
relaxed. Moreover, they pray to Buddha to bring good health and luck for
everyone.
IV. ARCHITECTURE, STATUES AND ALTARS
1. Architecture
Thien Nien pagoda is arranged in the form of the letter “I” surrounded
by rectangular structure of brick walls. This kind of shape is called “Noi
cong ngoai quoc” which is very popular in the North of Vietnam.
As many Vietnamese pagodas, this pagoda includes 3 parts: three
door gate, courtyard, main hall. The three door gate plays an important part
in each pagoda in Vietnam. This gate is divided into 3 ways of entrance.
Number 3 is odd number. In Vietnamese culture it symbolizes for breed and
happiness. At the roof of three door gate, there are 4 dragons at 4 sides.
According to Vietnamese culture, dragon is one of sacred animals. It
symbols for power of the King and property.
Pagoda is covered with tiles, usually in two layers. The tiles are
shaped like the blade of a big knife. Together, all those tiles look like a lotus.
The symbol of the lotus is widely used in pagoda because of its strong
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character. Most of the rafters of a pagoda are carved with pictures of dragons
and phoenixes or sometimes flowers.
The main color used in pagoda is brown because it helps create a quiet
and peaceful atmosphere.
The inside pagoda is comprised of three main rooms:
- The 1
st
room of the pagoda is called Bai Duong (place for bow -
towing admiration). In Bai Duong, there are two statues of guardian spirit
(Hộ pháp) or general officials to protect pagoda and Buddha. The two

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Diagram of Thien Nien pagoda
Note
1. The main gate leading to pagoda
2. Three door entrance
3. Courtyard
4. 5. 6. Main Hall
4. Place for bow-towing administration
5. Tube house
6. Back room
7. The house where monks live
8. Area of relic stupas of the patriarchs
9. Garden
10. Brick wall
2. Statues and altars
In the main hall: in this part we would like to describe how people put
statues and altars in the main hall.
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