Location:

Vong Cung Pagoda is situated in the bustling streets of Nam Dinh city. The pagoda is located at 28 Tran Phu Street, Nam Dinh City, Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam.

History:
During the reign of Gia Long (1802 – 1820), the ceremonial court was constructed to welcome the king and officials for state affairs. Later, it was converted into a communal house and then transformed into Vong Cung Pagoda. The original Vong Cung Communal House, which had a curved roof with tiled layers, black shiny wooden columns, and a solemn meditative atmosphere, served as a gathering place for officials during the Lunar New Year. If one visits the pagoda today, they will see a grand golden throne reserved for the King, meticulously preserved by the temple.

In 1860, Pham Van Nghi held a ceremony for over 300 soldiers departing for the South to fight the French at this pagoda.

In 1947, when the French colonialists returned and reoccupied Nam Dinh, they damaged the Vong Cung Pagoda because it had become a gathering place for local guerrilla forces, controlling and disrupting their activities from Phat Diem.

In 1950, Thich Tam Tri from Quan Su Pagoda (Hanoi) came to Nam Dinh, opened a Buddhist class, and requested to convert the ceremonial court into a temple. The city administration of Nam Dinh officially permitted the Buddhist association to transform Vong Cung into a Buddhist worship place and a place for the practice of Buddhist monks and laypeople on September 17th. This decision marked a historic moment for both the government and the Buddhist community. As a result, Vong Cung Pagoda has a unique appearance, distinct from other temples in Vietnam, with the main hall capable of accommodating hundreds of people at once.

In 1951, the people and Buddhists jointly rebuilt the pagoda. From 1954 to 1964, the pagoda was regularly renovated for aesthetics. In 1965, during the escalation of the Vietnam War, American planes bombed and destroyed the pagoda's roof. In 1966, the pagoda was reconstructed, but in 1972, it was again leveled by American bombing. From 1973 to 1975, the pagoda was reconstructed with smaller structures for worship and guest reception. In 1983, Venerable Thich Thuan Duc rebuilt the pagoda into its current form. From 1983 to 1988, the pagoda was expanded with two concrete and steel floors, and wooden columns were added to maintain a blend of traditional and modern features. It is located on a 3000 m2 piece of land, creating a closed, harmonious architectural space.

Architecture:
Vong Cung Pagoda has a unique architectural style. The temple complex, covering an area of over 10,000 m2, can accommodate hundreds of Buddhists at once. The entrance gate includes a main gate (three entrances) and two side gates. Beyond the gate is a spacious courtyard with many bonsai trees, creating a cool and airy space. The ground floor of the pagoda consists of ancestral houses, guesthouses, memorials, and a spacious scripture hall. To the left are five stupa towers, built as resting places for the contributing monks who helped construct the pagoda. There is a small spiral staircase leading up to the location of a large bell.

In the middle are two arched staircases leading to the main pagoda. The main pagoda has five sections, with a unique construction style not found in any other temple in the country. The layered roof, curved at the ends like a dao sword, features simple yet intricate carvings that reflect the architectural imprint of the 19th century. Two hanging doors at the rear of the pagoda, adorned with carved double dragons flanking the moon face, feature an interesting and harmonious design.

The prayer halls are neatly arranged with ample space for worshippers. The statues are gilded with gold, including beautiful representations of Thich Ca, Pho Hien, Van Thu, A Nan, Ca Diep, and Cuu Long.

Every month, Buddhists come here to recite scriptures and chant prayers, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence in the midst of the bustling city. The pagoda also regularly organizes retreats for young people to gain unique experiences and a deeper understanding of religious beliefs and temple life.

Source: chonthieng.com
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