via Vietnam Plus, 30 January 2022: The 17th century Keo Pagoda in Vietnam’s Thai Binh province.
Keo Pagoda, which was built in 1632 in the Le dynasty, is one of the oldest in Vietnam where ancient architecture has been preserved.
Located in Vu Thu district, the northern province of Thai Binh, the pagoda initially included 157 compartments covering a total area of 58,000 sq.m. It is surrounded by three lakes, one in the front and two at both sides, creating a beautiful surrounding.
Also known as Than Quang Tu, Keo Pagoda worships Buddha and Duong Khong Lo, a monk of the Ly dynasty, who founded the pagoda. Duong Khong Lo was born in 1016 in Giao Thuy district, the northern province of Nam Dinh. He became a monk at 29. In 1061, after practicing Buddhism in India, he returned home and founded Nghiem Quang pagoda. In 1167, King Ly Anh Tong changed the name of the pagoda from Nghiem Quang to Than Quang. However, it was pulled down by a typhoon in 1611 and rebuilt in 1632.
Source: Pagoda with unique architecture in north Vietnam | Society | Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)
