An Overview Of Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda’s love curse says that if couples who love each other but are not married come to Thien Mu Pagoda, they will sooner or later break up when they return home. It is this mysterious curse that has made this sacred temple increasingly attractive to all types of tourists.
Thien Mu Pagoda (Temple of the Celestial Lady), also known as Linh Mu, is located on Ha Khe hill, on the romantic Perfume River bank, in Kim Long ward, Hue city, Thua Thien – Hue province.
The pagoda was officially established in the year Tan Suu (1601), during the reign of Lord Nguyen Hoang – the first Nguyen lord in Dang Trong land. This is one of the oldest pagodas in the ancient capital. The pagoda is associated with many mystical stories, of which “love resentment” is still a mysterious Love Curse.
Thien Mu Pagoda Love Curse
Long long ago, when Lord Nguyen still ruled the Dang Trong region, feudal ritual ideology was still strictly in the notion of “arranged marriage and suitable alliance” (similarity of social background between bride and bridegroom’s families).
In Kim Long Village, there was a lovely couple who loved each other very passionately. The girl’s family was rich and the man’s family was very poor. They came to Thien Mu Pagoda and under the Buddha statues, they swore to each other, “in this life, I just love and marry you, only you in my heart”.
Their secret love was strictly forbidden by the girl’s family, not allowing the two of them to get together. Too miserable and to prove the true love that “if you can’t live together, you will die together forever”, the couple went to Mu boat wharf (in front of Thien Mu pagoda) and committed suicide.
But ironically, when the man died in the bed of the Perfume River, the girl washed ashore and was saved by the fishermen living along the river. The family took the girl home and lately forced her to marry a rich man in the village.
The ghostly soul of the man still waiting for his girlfriend in the Perfume River, in front of the pagoda. Day by day, time by time, he did not see here, but every day he saw the loved couple hand in hand, happily come to Thien Mu Pagoda together.
The anger was getting harder and harder in his mind and his heart. When he knew that his girlfriend married another man, he created a love curse “If couples who love each other but have not yet married, if they came to Thien Mu Pagoda, when they returned home, sooner or later they would break up”.
What a coincidence, it happened to many couples who came to the pagoda together, and until now, it has been a mysterious sad love story of Thien Mu Pagoda in Kim Long Village Hue.
Thien Mu Pagoda Fengshui
Thien Mu Pagoda is an ancient pagoda located on Ha Khe Hill, facing the Perfume River, in Kim Long Ward, Hue City, Thua Thien – Hue province.
From far away above, looking down, Ha Khe Hills looks like a green dragon turning his head back to the Hue Imperial Citadel. Along with the Ngu Binh Mountain, Perfume River, Da Vien and Hen islets, Thien Mu Pagoda on Ha Khe Hill created the perfect fengshui setting for the Hue Imperial Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Ancient people once said that if there is great feng shui, the country will always be prosperous, stable, and full of vitality. Perfect Fengshui is one of the important characteristics that made Emperor Gia Long choose Hue to set up the capital.
What To See At Thien Mu Pagoda?
Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the must-visit attractions in Hue and there are a lot of things to admire at this sacred Buddhist temple, such as:
Phuoc Duyen Tower was built in 1844, viewed from above, this 7-story tower is located in the central position and is considered a sacred symbol of the more than 400-year-old Thien Mu Pagoda.
Dai Hong Chung (The Great Bell) was cast in bronze during the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu (1710) to worship the national temple, up to now 300 years ago. The bell weighs 3285kg and 2.5m in height and is currently located to the left behind the Phuoc Duyen Tower.
The Giant Turtle made of marble located on the right side of the Phuoc Duyen tower. Turtles are one of the 4 holy animals in Vietnam, the symbol of longevity and education. The stele on the back of the giant turtle is written about a commemoration of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu’s renovation, dated back from 1715.
The Three-Door Gate (Tam Quan Gate) is a special monument in front of the Dai Hung Shrine. There are a total of 12 Buddhist guardians standing on the alert to encourage and threaten people who do good and bad things in life. The center gate is only for VIPs, while the right gate is only for women and the left gate is for men.
Dai Hung Shrine– the sanctuary shrine where people pray and worship three Buddha statues, representing the past, present, and future, three lives of human beings. It is also the place where Buddhist monks chant every day.
Behind the Dai Hung Temple is the small lake with Koi and a beautiful rockery. A large beautiful bonsai garden and each monk in this pagoda takes care of one bonsai.
The Austin Martin Car, the relic of the monk “Thich Quang Duc: who burnt himself to react and ask for the freedom of people to follow Buddhism under the Buddism banned policy of the Ngo Dinh Diem Government.
Thich Don Hau Monk’s Stupa: Venerable Thich Don Hau Stupa, the most famous abbot in Thien Mu Pagoda, is said to have devoted his whole life to the development of Buddhism in Vietnam.
How To Visit And Listen To The Thien Mu Pagoda Hue?
It is very easy to visit this holy and fabulous pagoda. From Hue city center, you can take a dragon boat along the Perfume River to reach Thien Mu Pagoda. If not, you can ride a bike or drive a scooter with helmets as it is only 5km from the center of Hue.
If you would like to understand more about its amazing history, and ancient untold stories, Thien Mu Pagoda Love Curse is told by a knowledgeable tour guide. You should consider booking a Hue City private tour or a Hue City group tour via Culture Pham Travel.
Thien Mu Pagoda Entrance Fee And Opening Hours
It is free of charge to visit this sacred pagoda. The only thing you need to pay for is the parking lot near this pagoda. It costs only 5,000 VND to 10,000 VND for a bicycle or a scooter. You could visit this Buddhist temple from early in the morning and very late in the afternoon from 5 am to 7 pm every day.
Student Exchange Vietnam wishes that you will have a great vacation in Vietnam, especially in Hue City.