Phat Tich Pagoda, also known as Van Phuc Pagoda, stands on the southern slope of Phat Tich Mountain in Phat Tich Commune, Bac Ninh Province. It is one of the important Buddhist centers of the Kinh Bac region and a heritage site of outstanding historical, architectural, cultural, and landscape value.
Historical records, archaeological remains, and artifacts suggest that the origins of Phat Tich Pagoda may date from around the 7th to 10th centuries. The area is also believed to have been one of the places where Indian missionaries and Buddhist monks introduced Buddhism to ancient Giao Chau before the religion spread to major political and residential centers such as Luy Lau.
History and Development
Phat Tich grew into an important Buddhist center under the Ly Dynasty, particularly during the reigns of King Ly Thai Tong and King Ly Thanh Tong.
In 1041, Ly Thai Tong ordered the construction of Tu Thi Thien Phuc Institute and commissioned a statue of Maitreya weighing 7,560 can. The mountain and pagoda subsequently became associated with the name Thien Phuc.
Between 1057 and 1066, Ly Thanh Tong expanded the site, building Thien Phuc Pagoda and a large tower said to have been among the tallest structures of its time. A 1.87-meter Buddha statue, standing about 2.87 meters including its pedestal, was also created, together with golden statues of Pham Thien and De Thich.
In 1071, Ly Thanh Tong visited the area and ordered the character “Phat”, meaning Buddha, to be carved into the rock. This helped establish the name Phat Tich as the enduring name of the mountain, pagoda, and surrounding area.
In 1129, during the reign of Ly Than Tong, the court organized the completion of 84,000 earthen stupas that were distributed throughout the country. According to tradition, as many as 80,000 stupas were placed in the Phat Tich area, giving the mountain another name, Bat Van Son, or Mountain of Eighty Thousand.
Under the Tran Dynasty, the pagoda remained an important royal Buddhist institution and was renamed Van Phuc. Between 1279 and 1280, King Tran Nhan Tong ordered the construction of Bao Hoa Palace here and later composed the eight-volume collection Bao Hoa Du But.
In 1370, King Tran Nghe Tong built the Lan Kha Library on Phat Tich Mountain as a place for reading, contemplation, and leisure. In 1384, a royal examination for selecting scholars was also held here.
The pagoda continued to flourish in the 17th century. From 1635 to 1644, the Chinese-born Zen master Chuyet Chuyet came to teach at Phat Tich and gained the respect of the royal court and many prominent officials. His disciple Minh Hanh was later sent to China to obtain Buddhist scriptures, some of which were printed and preserved at Phat Tich.
The pagoda was restored several times during the Le Trung Hung and Nguyen periods. However, much of the complex was destroyed during the French occupation between 1949 and 1952. Only foundations, several patriarch statues, and some ritual objects survived.
In 1959, the pagoda was rebuilt on a smaller scale to preserve the remaining heritage. From 2008 onward, additional structures were developed, including a large stone Amitabha Buddha statue on Phat Tich Mountain. The statue, approximately 30 meters high including its pedestal, was inspired by the style of Ly Dynasty Buddhist sculpture.
Landscape and Legends of Phat Tich
Phat Tich refers not only to the pagoda but also to the mountain, village, and surrounding cultural landscape of Tien Du. Phat Tich Mountain forms the final section of the Nguyet Hang range, also known as Che Mountain.
Although much of the mountain consists of earth, exposed rock formations, forest, and old pine trees create a distinctive landscape. From the mountain, visitors can look across the winding Nguyet Hang range, the alluvial Duong River, and villages surrounded by greenery.
The landscape has long been associated with legends and folk traditions. One of the best-known stories is that of Vuong Chat meeting the immortals. According to legend, the woodcutter Vuong Chat encountered two celestial beings playing chess beneath a pine tree. Fascinated by the game and the peaches they gave him, he lost all sense of time. When the game ended, his axe handle had rotted away. Returning home, he discovered that generations had passed and no one recognized him.
A flat stone known as the Immortals’ Chessboard is still associated with this legend. Historical records also mention a stone chessboard, stone house, Dragon Pond, and other features connected with the story.
Phat Tich is also linked to the legend of Tu Thuc meeting a fairy, a story strongly influenced by Taoist ideas. According to the tale, Tu Thuc helped a fairy named Giang Huong after she accidentally broke a peony branch during a flower-viewing festival. Their encounter became the beginning of a legendary love story between a mortal and the celestial world.
This legend is associated with the traditional Peony Flower Viewing Festival, usually held in early spring, particularly on the fourth day of the first lunar month. The festival combines Buddhist worship, folk beliefs, seasonal customs, and local legends.
Other stories associated with Phat Tich include legends of Ba To Co, An Duong Vuong, Trieu Da, Cao Bien, Ba Chua Che, and scholar Nguyen Dang Cao. Together, these stories give Phat Tich a rich layer of folk culture in which Buddhism, Taoism, and indigenous beliefs intersect.
Ancient Towers and Architectural Heritage
Historical records indicate that Phat Tich Pagoda was once a large Buddhist complex with hundreds of rooms and prominent towers. The towers served both religious purposes, including the preservation of relics, and symbolic functions reflecting the importance of the Buddhist center.
According to the Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu, in 1057 Ly Thanh Tong ordered the construction of a tower more than 10 truong high. Based on the surviving foundation, researchers estimate that the original structure may have reached approximately 40 meters, equivalent to a building of around ten floors.
The tradition of 84,000 earthen stupas established under the Ly Dynasty also contributed to the name Bat Van Son. Fragments of ancient terracotta towers and architectural remains discovered around the site provide important evidence of the scale and importance of Phat Tich during the Ly period.
Today, the pagoda still preserves numerous brick and stone stupas. Some are made from traditional fired bricks without exterior plaster, while stone stupas are assembled from large blocks. Many contain stone inscriptions or memorial tablets recording the names, religious titles, birth and death dates, and religious careers of monks.
The stupa system is therefore an important source for studying Vietnamese Buddhist history, traditional architecture, sculpture, and construction techniques.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Phat Tich occupies a distinctive place in the history of Vietnamese Buddhism. From an early center of Buddhist transmission, it developed into a royal Buddhist institution under the Ly and Tran dynasties and continued to play an important religious role during the Le and Nguyen periods.
The site preserves several layers of heritage, including early Buddhist remains, Ly and Tran architectural and sculptural traditions, later inscriptions and stupas, as well as legends, festivals, and local religious practices.
The combination of Phat Tich Mountain, Phat Tich Pagoda, Lan Kha Library, ancient stupas, folk legends, and the Peony Flower Viewing Festival has created a heritage landscape where history, religion, literature, and folklore exist side by side.
With its outstanding historical, cultural, architectural, artistic, landscape, and religious values, Phat Tich Pagoda was recognized as a Special National Relic under Decision No. 2408/QD-TTg dated December 31, 2014.
