Thanh Dao Temple

VIETNAM, Hanoi, Thuong Tin

Thanh Dao means Attain Enlightenment. It is popularly known as Bean Temple or Dharma Rain Temple because it is dedicated to Lady Dau of the Rain. According to the bronze tablets documenting its history, the temple was built during the Ly dynasty (circa 1009–1225). It was rebuilt in subsequent dynasties, with the 1635 restoration being the largest. It is listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site.
The main buildings include the main gate and the main hall. The two-story main gate also functions as bell tower. It has a double-eave hip-and-gable roof and openings on all four sides. The large bell within was cast in 1801.
Besides housing statues of the Buddha, the temple also has the corporeal relics of Chan Masters Dao Chan and Dao Tam. The temple contains artifacts such as stone dragons, kiln-fired bricks, a gong, and bells. The set of ten double-sided bronze tablets engraved with Chinese characters, cast during the Tran (circa 1225–1399) and Later Le (1428–1527, 1533–1789) dynasties is particularly important.