Thien Lam Pagoda, also known as Standing Buddha - Lying Buddha Pagoda. The pagoda is located on Quang Te Hill in Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City. This is a famous temple with the unique architecture of Thevarada (Theravada Buddhism), making this place a unique beauty in the ancient capital. The pagoda has a quiet and peaceful space, attracting many tourists to visit and relax.

The pagoda is a complex with many other works, such as Buddhist stupas, tomb towers, monasteries, statues, etc. Unlike the pagodas of Bac Tong Buddhism, with the three-arched gate leading to the meditation garden, this place has a gentle Theravada Buddhism entrance gate, but the quality of meditation is still clearly visible in space and even in the architectural works at the temple.

When entering the temple, the first impression that you see is the towering, majestic white stupa with golden peaks. Photo: @hoaitien

Thien Lam Pagoda has a unique architecture of Theravada

Thien Lam Pagoda is one of Hue's most unique and unusual pagodas. Currently, the temple is a place for Buddhists and tourists near and far to visit.
Unlike other pagodas in Hue, Thien Lam Pagoda is quite famous for its unique architecture inspired by pagoda towers in India. The unique architecture of the Thevarada sect gives the Thien Lam temple a different beauty from the ancient capital.

Thien Lam Pagoda has a statue of the Buddha Nirvana and a statue of Buddha holding a begging bowl.

Located on Quang Te Hill, Thuy Xuan ward, Hue City (Thua Thien province – Hue), Thien Lam Pagoda was established by the Venerable Ho Nhan in the 1960s.

Earlier in 1958, the Association nominated the Venerable Ho Nhan from the Tam Bao to become the abbot of Tang Quang pagoda, but the Venerable Ho Nhan found it inappropriate, so he set up a small interior at Quang Te hill to lead a religious life. After that, his piety made not only Theravada but also Mahayana worship, and offered to build the Thien Lam Temple in 1966 in the style of the Theravada (originating from India). 

The architecture and pattern of Thien Lam pagoda have characteristics of the Buddhism of Thevarada, so it is considered an "Indian" pagoda on Hue land.

The Venerable Ho Nhan has built two large Buddha statues, and one is the Statue of the Buddha Nirvana with a lying appearance of peace and the other is a standing Buddha statue, holding a begging bowl on the top of the hill.The 

Statue of "The Buddha begging" is about 8 meters high on Quang Te hill

The statue of the Buddha Nirvana is lying with a length of over 8 meters

Unlike other temples of Mahayana Buddhism Buddhism, which have a three-arched gate leading to the entrance to the meditation garden, the Thien Lam Pagoda opens its doors to visitors with a welcome gate in the style of Theravada Buddhism, gentle but impressive, evoking visitors or pilgrims the feeling strange, gentle and quiet.

Theravada Buddhism Thien Lam Pagoda gate

Coming to the pagoda, we will see a bronze Buddha statue with a dignified stance. On the left is the stupa with 2 parts: the lower floor is the main hall, and the upper floor is the temple of Shakyamuni Buddha and the monks.

Bronze Buddha Statue With Stately Stand

In addition, in front of the temple campus, there is also a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sitting in meditation on a 5,2m high