Quoc An pagoda commonly called "To dinh Quoc An" is situated in the west of Ngu Binh mountain, Truong An ward by Ban mountain where Nguyen Hue held a sacrifice ceremony and came to the throne.
In 1677, monk Nguyen Thieu who was from Chaozhou, Guang Dong (China) crossed the sea to the south Vietnam. At first, he established Thap Thap Di Da pagoda in Quy Ninh (Quy Nhon province). Around 1680, he moved to Thuan Hoa and stayed at Ha Trung pagoda (Vinh Ha commune, Phu Vang district). Later, Vinh An pagoda and Pho Dong tower were constructed in Phu Xuan by him. Lord Nguyen Phuc Thai trusted Monk Nguyen Thieu, allowed him to be exempted from land tax and named the pagoda "Quoc An" in 1689. Monk Nguyen Thieu was dispatched to Guang Dong to invite monks, bring Buddhist sacred objects and the Buddha statues to Hue. Monk Nguyen Thieu was appointed as the abbot of Ha Trung pagoda. However, he still stayed at Quoc An pagoda until he passed away in 1728. Monk Nguyen Thieu's tomb tower was erected in Duong Xuan village (Thuy Xuan ward). At the tomb tower, a poem written by Lord Nguyen Phuc Thu was carved on the back guarding screen.
The pagoda was abandoned under the reign of Tay Son. In 1805, princess Ngoc Tu had the pagoda reconstructed by using bamboo, wood and thatched roof. Under the rule of Emperor Minh Mang and Thieu Tri, the pagoda was renovated.
The total area of the pagoda is 5.000m2. Architectures are about 550m2. The three-entrance gate faces the south west. There is a stone stele which is 1,6m high and 0,72m wide on the right of the pagoda's yard. Not only the biography of most venerable Nguyen Thieu written by Lord Nguyen Phuc Thu, but also Chinese letter "Sac tu" and the seal "Dai Viet Quoc vuong chi an" were carved on this stele. This stele was restored like the back guarding screen of monk Nguyen Thieu's tomb tower. Another blank stele was also erected opposite. There are two altars where Thien Y A Na and the five objects were worshipped nearby. Following the traditional "口" shape, the pagoda's main hall is in front. Monk house is located to the west of the pagoda while the guest house and dining room are situated to the east. The place where gods and goddesses are worshipped is on the back of the pagoda. There are many antiquities in the main hall such as "Sac tu Quoc An Tu" board and a couplets written by "Tu Te dao nhan" (Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat)".
Values of Quoc An pagoda were appreciated in Hue Buddhism. Quoc An is the first pagoda of Lam Te meditation originating from China in late 17th century.
Quoc An pagoda (Photo: internet)
(Source: Geography book - Culture chapter - 2020)