Legend has it that Bich Dong pagoda was built under the reign of King Le Du Tong, around 1705. At that time, there were two monks named Tri Kien and Tri The, a native of Vong Doanh and a native of Nam Dinh. The two had a predestined encounter and became brothers, traveling together to spread the word and build pagodas.

Arriving in Ninh Binh, seeing Bich Dong mountain has a favorable location, I decided to stop here, together with the teachers, to repair the old temple’s foundation into three new pagodas as it is today, including Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda and Trung Pagoda. Upper temple to practice.

By 1707, two monks had cast a large bell, which still hangs in the Dark cave today. Two years later, they continued to make the inscription of Bich Dong pagoda in Chinese characters. Because of its location in the mountains, in the past, the pagoda was called with the name ‘Bach Ngoc Thac Son Dong’. In 1774, Lord Trinh Sam had the opportunity to visit this place and was impressed by the scenery here with mountains, caves, rivers, fields and green trees, so he decided to change the name of the pagoda to Bich pagoda. Dynamic, which means ‘green cave’, and holds to this day.

Bich Dong Pagoda is built in the style of the word “Three”, three non-contiguous buildings, three levels along the mountainside, based on the mountain position from low to high into 3 separate pagodas: Lower, Middle and Upper. The unique thing of the pagoda is that the mountains, caves and pagodas complement each other, hidden among the great trees, making the pagoda blend with the natural landscape.

Ha Pagoda has 5 compartments built on a high platform. In the Buddhist temple, the architecture is in the style of the word “Ding”. Trusses, crossbars, and vertical beams are also made of ironwood. The roof of the pagoda is two tiers of curved roofs, including 8 roofs. The stone pillars at Ha Pagoda are all solid, unassembled, over 4m high.

From Ha Pagoda, step up 120 steps along the S-shaped road to Trung Pagoda. In front of the pagoda are two words “Bich Dong” carved into the cliff. This is a unique temple, half attached to the cave, half open-air. The pagoda has 3 rooms to worship Buddha. After paying homage to the Buddha at the upper hall, step up 21 stone steps to reach the dark cave.

Above the roof of the pagoda, there are ten yellow Chinese characters: “Golden Lam Than Dai Hung Bao Dien Nam Thien To” – “all the monks and nuns in this South heaven have come from Bich Dong pagoda”. Buddha Shakyamuni in Trung Pagoda has a nine dragons with a price tag. The two statues outside are Van Thu Bodhisattva, on the left is Universal Worthy Bodhisattva, inside the main palace is a statue worshiping the false venerable Ananda.

Going to Thuong Pagoda, visitors have to go 40 more stone steps along the mountainside. Thuong Pagoda is also known as the East Pagoda, the pagoda worships Quan The Am Bodhisattva. Thuong Pagoda is located at the highest position, near the top of Bich Dong mountain. Looking out from the temple, there are 5 mountains that look like 5 lotus petals, namely Ngu Nhac Son, including Tam Sang, Gia Dinh, Con Pig, Dau Cau and Hang Based mountains.

Bich Dong Pagoda is not only known as the most sacred ancient temple in Hoa Lu ancient capital from the past to now, but also an ancient and dignified work of art of people in harmony with the green natural scenery. Tranquility adds to the overall picture of a world cultural and natural heritage region that is perfect and enduring at the same time. It must be said that Bich Dong Pagoda is a typical scenic spot in the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – a World Cultural and Natural Heritage that visitors cannot miss when coming to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh. .