Chapter 40 of 72 in Hà Nội: Renowned Historic Buddhist Temples · pages 402–410
Mễ Trì Thượng Temple
Thiên Trúc Temple
Chùa Mễ Trì Thượng
Mễ Trì Thượng Temple, or Thiên Trúc Temple, is also called the Crow Patriarch Temple after the monk Quang Lư who trained a flock of crows. It housed an artillery signal station and was bombed by B-52s in 1972.
Key facts
- Address
- Mễ Trì Thượng Street, Từ Liêm Ward (approximate location) · Show on the map
- Founded
- Founding date unknown; a 1690 stele already calls it famed (according to tradition)
- Heritage status
- National-level Historical and Cultural Site (22 April 1992)
- Lineage
- Tào Động (Caodong)
- Book pages
- 402–410
Highlights
- Monk Quang Lư trained crows to eat at fixed times
- 46 statues, mostly in 17th–20th century styles
- Thiên Lạp tự bronze bell cast in 1830
Milestones
- 1690 Thiên Trúc tự bi ký stele erected, temple already famed
- 1830 Thiên Lạp tự bronze bell cast
- 1878 Stele recording memorial-offering donors erected
- 1969 Artillery signal station began its stay at the temple
- 1972 B-52 bombing brought down the Ancestral Hall and main hall
- 1992 Ranked a national Historical and Cultural Site
From the book
Mễ Trì Thượng Temple, formally known as Thiên Trúc Temple, is also popularly referred to as the “Tổ Quạ” (Crow Patriarch) Temple. It is located on Mễ Trì Thượng Street, Từ Liêm Ward, Hà Nội.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mễ Trì Thượng Temple?
Mễ Trì Thượng Temple is located at Mễ Trì Thượng Street, Từ Liêm Ward, Hà Nội, Vietnam.
When was Mễ Trì Thượng Temple founded?
Founding date unknown; a 1690 stele already calls it famed (according to tradition)
Is Mễ Trì Thượng Temple a ranked heritage site?
National-level Historical and Cultural Site (22 April 1992)
Which Zen lineage is Mễ Trì Thượng Temple associated with?
According to the book, the temple is associated with the Tào Động (Caodong) tradition.
What is the formal name of Mễ Trì Thượng Temple?
Its formal (literary) name is Thiên Trúc Temple.