Yesterday we took a dragon boat up the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Buddhist Pagoda, a functioning monastery with 70 monks and novices. Unlike Thailand there seems to be no difficulty in recruiting youngsters for the Monkhood. In VN too they use dark brown robes ala Thich Naht Hanh. This particular monastery resisted the Diem regimes repression of Buddhism. It was a monk from here who drove to SaiGon and self emulated - a photo of which spread around the world, and one which woke many of us up to the error of the US involvement in Viet Nam. The car which he drove, is on display here.
Then on to the Purple Imperial city within the Citadel on the north bank of the Perfume River. A site chosen in the early 19th century, in a effort by the Nguyen Dynasty to unite the country, by moving the capital to a more central location. Like the Egyptians, the emperors invested part of their rule in building their own tombs, where it was assumed they'd continue to be worshipped.Sometimes the taxation and tomb building inspired resentment and rebellion, all of which were brutally repressed.
Nine urns for incense, nine being a lucky number, greet those entering the royal gates.
Much of this destroyed in the 1968 effort of the US to retake Hue after losing it to the VC. Great efforts are being made to restore parts, as its a great tourist attraction. Much of the interior spaces are beautifully restored in bright red and gold paint, many dragons and even the throne - all off limits to cameras.
Tombs however were open to photographers.
Here the view back into the Purple city from the rear gate.
Emperor Tu Duc only rated one incense burner at the entrance to his tomb built in a traditional Viet style.
The view from his temple and tomb is over a pleasant moat and tea house where in the years before his death, he came to write poetry with his 120 concubines. It is truly a peaceful place with intricately carved beams.
The Penultimate emperor, Khai Dinh, considered a puppet of the French built a western influences tomb
Still with Dragons symbolizing power and royalty.
Mosaics of the four seasons.
Mosaics cover all the walls and the base of his life sized statue.
He reminds me of King Tut!
-on the road with Kathryn
Location:Hue
AuntK K-so lovely to see all of these places again. I was able to visit when I was there for four months and I forget how awesome it all looks! Thanks for sharing your pics and your adventures :) Also, glad you got to go through Danang-that's where I lived for the four months! Please continue sharing!!
ReplyDeleteLove, Hannah