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See with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old banyan tree in a temple in Ha Nam

23/10/2024

The star apple tree is over 10m high with a base circumference of about 2.2m located in the grounds of the Star Apple Pagoda (Di Da Pure Land Monastery) in Che Trinh village, Thanh Tam commune, Thanh Liem district, Ha Nam province. It is one of the historical "witnesses" with an age of about 370 years.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 1.

Recently, the Forest Industry Research Institute (Vietnam Forestry Science Institute) has conducted an appraisal and confirmed that the ancient fig tree at Cay Thi Pagoda in Ha Nam exists and is about 370 years old.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 2.

According to the elderly people living near the temple, they have seen such a large banyan tree since they were young. Venerable Thich Hue Hanh (abbot of Cay Thi Pagoda) said that the reason why it is called Cay Thi Pagoda is because next to the ancient temple there is a banyan tree that is over 100 years old.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 3.

"The name of the land "Cay Thi" has existed for 300 years. The book "Truong the gia ky" in Truong Cong Giai temple, compiled in Quy Suu year, Long Duc 2nd year (1733) mentioned this place name" - Venerable Thich Hue Hanh added.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 4.

Today, historical values ​​are still preserved and maintained, in which the main highlight is the ancient banyan tree with an age of nearly 400 years. It can be seen that the banyan tree not only has historical value but also contains a great spiritual and cultural value. Therefore, the pagoda always wants to preserve historical natural values, avoiding the impact of human hands.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 5.

Every year, around the beginning of the 5th lunar month is the season when the star apple tree blooms the most and the first week of the 7th lunar month is the time when the star apple tree bears a lot of fruit.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 6.

Over the course of history, the temple may have changed, but the banyan tree still stands firm with its lush foliage providing shade and soothing the worries and sorrows of the mundane world of people every time they return to the temple.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 7.

Besides seeing the ancient banyan tree hundreds of years old, visitors can also feel the sacred worship space of the pagoda. This place brings people as well as each visitor to experience life, guide people to the most basic values ​​of Buddhism, bring purity and comfort to the soul.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 8.

According to Venerable Thich Hue Hanh, the pagoda was restored in 1940 with 5 main halls for worshiping Buddha and 3 worshiping rooms. Initially, when it was restored and repaired, the rooms were made of wood and were very spacious and beautiful. However, after the battle against the sweep on the pagoda mountain in 1954, the pagoda was destroyed. A few years later, the elders in the village went up the mountain to search for what was left and restored only 3 Buddha worshiping rooms until today.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 9.
Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 10.

In December 2019, Cay Thi Pagoda was renovated, restored and built.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 11.
Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 12.

The courtyard leading to the temple is paved with white gravel, surrounded by green hills of Japanese grass interwoven with pine trees. Explaining why white gravel was chosen and meticulously shaped, the monks said that white stone makes people's hearts become pure, together with the sound of bells creating a peaceful space. Anyone who comes here feels light and relaxed, like returning to nature, or finding the selflessness of human beings.

Seeing with your own eyes the nearly 400-year-old fig tree in a temple in Ha Nam - Photo 13.

With unique architecture combining Asian cultures, fresh and cool air, peaceful and quiet space, helping visitors forget all the fatigue and worries of daily life.

Source: suckhoedoisong.vn

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