Tĩnh Gia - Lake-side Pagoda

Buddha statue with cranes and incense urn. The entrance courtyard of the Sơn Phúc Pagoda has two main statues, this one represents a female Buddha. Apart from the specific hand positions it seems to share much with western Madonnas A number of these pages have featured particular pagodas in Vietnam together with some in Laos. It is hoped that they have been of interest, not just for their emblems and associations, but also for their history and aesthetic qualities - as with the thousand year old Thầy Pagoda. This page offers a contrast for, although it is not a major part of Vietnamese life, Buddhism is still active and important to a substantial minority. So new centres are built where it is Buddhist practice that is important to its members, rather than any contribution to general cultural. The Sơn Phúc Pagoda is newly completed, so much so it largely escapes Googles clutches. While lacking historic charm it does embody the range of currently important symbols. Woods running down to the lake shore with a building at the centre of the image. The Pagoda sits beside the Khe San Lake, actually a reservoir, about seven kilometres south-west of the centre of Tĩnh Gia town. Here the associated buildings are seen
on the lake-side, just to their right is the roof of the shrine room.
Just below here is a short video clip showing the lake
Buds of lotuses about to open. The flowers of the lotus stand well above the water - the flowers of water lilies sit on the water One of the pagoda buildings on the shore of the lake with lotuses in the shallow water. Lotus flowers in the shallow water at the edge of the lake near the pagoda - of great symbolic significance in the Far East A four tiered altar with many statues and ritual objects, overhead metal frame of the roof. This picture of the altar in the shrine room, rather emphasises the
utilitarian nature of the building
An oblique view of the altar and its ornamentation. The ornamentation, so pristine, comprises all the conventions of more traditional Buddhist centres The whole room with bare marble floor and flags hanging. And again an image of the whole room does bring the ceiling and window shutters to attention Left, a video clip of the entrance and courtyard from the steps. Right, a wall plaque of the Amitabha Buddha (Infinite Light Buddha) with the words 'Homage to the Amitabha Buddha' above in Vietnamese. With a Tibetan inscription below it and an English maxim with acknowledgement of the 17th century Tibetan sage: Namchö Mingyur Dorje. The corner of the room showing the peeling paintwork. Front facade of the building with three doors and large name plaque over the door. The building's entrances and steps seen from the courtyard White Buddha statue with flower offerings. Goldern urn for incense sticks. In the courtyard, Buddhist statues and urns (to hold incense sticks) with flowers and fruit as offerings A golden standing Buddha. A less cluttered pedestal on the other statue The two golden cranes with incense urn between them. The pair of cranes represent longevity The main gate with the courtyard and pagoda beyond. The entrance gates are simple, but incorporate the name of the pagoda in wire letters Buffalo and calf resting at the edge of a pool in shaddy spot. Somehow appropriately to a Buddhist pagoda in a nearby pool a mother and calf quietly enjoy the light shade White Buddha on white plinth with box and incense on lower step. Buddhist sages, some more, and some less historical, are seen as embodiments of aspects of the system of beliefs. These aspects are often emphasised by hand positions which symbolise the key point being made. For example the palm outwards and finger touching thumb of this statue draws attention to the importance of teaching. The coils of incense can burn for periods of a day or more. More mundane - the 'Donation Box' (Hòm công đức) on the first step Crane and flowers framed with trees. The cranes stand on the backs of turtles - longevity on longevity. They are highly stylised with curved necks and small wings Rear of Standing white Buddha with lake just visible over wall beyond. This Buddha stands on a lotus and looks out from the courtyard of the temple across the lake where the living lotuses are growing... Shallow water with lotuses, lake and hill beyond. ...A fitting view for that white Buddha: lotuses rising above the mud Trailers... Looking through a wirework window onto Vientiane's main thoroughfare. The next page of this section moves from a modest peaceful pagoda at a cool lakeside to the heat of the Laotian capital - Vientiane with its grand pagodas Dragon snarling out of wall. The next page of the Mosaic Section is headed 'Dragon-graphs'.
Or go to the contents Go to the contents of the Mosaic Section. of the Mosaic Section.
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Saturday 3rd July 2021 Murphy on duty ...guide to this site


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