Dong Ngo Pagoda is one of the two oldest pagodas in Hai Duong Province. The pagoda used to be a big Buddhism Centre of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. The legend has it that the pagoda was built by Grand Master Khuong Viet in the year of 971.
But it was later destroyed during the wartime and recently rebuilt. The present pagoda bears architectural style of the 17th century. Inside the pagoda, there are numerous old statues of various sizes. The pagoda is also home to the over-700-years-old plumeria plant and a nine-storey lotus tower (cuu pham lien hoa in Vietnamnese) recognised as national treasure.
Besides, the Dong Ngo Pagoda is famous for a collection of giant stone objects. Since late 1980s, the pagoda’s head monk has collected thousands of stone objects such as stone bridge, mortar for pounding pork, rice grinder, tools to grate paddy, sugar cane press. These objects are arranged to form mini-landscapes.
Till now, the collection has increased to nearly 12,000 stone objects with a total weight of some 160 tonnes. The open-air museum is the very place that reminds and illustrates a long period in the life of the farmers in the northern Delta./.
