Lien Phai Pagoda (Chua Lien Phai: Pagoda of the Lotus sect). Official name: Lien Hoa tu (pagoda of the Lotus). In Ngo Chua Lien alley (Hanoi). Dieu Quang (miraculous iight) tower at hexagonal base, 10 storeys. Three ranges of stupas (tombs) dominated at the middle by a stone containing relics of Thuong Si (Budhisatva) Trinh Thap, founder of the pagoda. The stele relates the pagoda’s history as follows.
Lord Trinh thap (1697-1733), spouse of a Le princess, had his palace in Hong Mai quarter (later becoming Bach Mai). His men unearthed an enormous lotus root, and he took the event as a miraculous invitation to religious life. He then cut his hair off and joined in the religion, transforming his palace into a pagoda called “Lotus”. He died at 37 years old. His disciples incinerated his body and put his ashes into the site where the lotus root was found. He was consecrated First Patriarch of the Lotus sect. The pagoda was repaired in 1854 and 1869. In 1869, it was enriched with a bell tower and a brick enclosure. In the main altar, there are still parallel sentences drafted by Trinh Thap.
