Vietnam: Pavilion at Thay Pagoda used for water puppet performances, Ha Tay Province, near Hanoi

About 20 miles (32km) west of Hanoi, Chua Thay or ‘Master’s Pagoda’ is dedicated to Thich Ca or Sakyamuni Buddha (the Buddha Gautama, born in 536BC). To the left of the main altar stands a statue of Tu Dao Hanh, the master after whom the pagoda is named. To the right of the altar stands a statue of King Ly Nhan Tong (1072–1127), who is held to have been a reincarnation of Tu Dao Hanh and during whose reign the pagoda was founded.

Thay Pagoda contains more than a hundred religious statues, including the two largest in Vietnam—clay and papier-mâché giants which weigh more than a 1,000kg each. Tu Dao Hanh is said to have been a master water puppeteer, and demonstrations of this ancient skill are given at the temple during the annual festival which takes place between the 5th and 7th days of the third lunar month.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia