The Temple of Literature was on everybody’s bucket listing upon our arrival in Hanoi.

Devoted to Confucius -the temple additionally hosts the Imperial Academy –Vietnam’s first nationwide college. 

The temple was inbuilt 1070 on the time of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông. It’s one among a number of temples in Vietnam devoted to Confucius, sages and students.

I do not learn about you, however locations which might be nicely over 1,000 years previous fascinate me.

The assorted pavilions, halls, statues and stelae (stone monuments positioned on the again of stone turtles) of docs are locations the place providing ceremonies, research classes and the strict exams of the Đại Việt occurred.

Waving at my group simply contained in the courtyard on the pond named “The Nicely of Heavenly Readability.”

We got here via this entry –

Notice the attractive banyan tree on the proper – I really like these!

The gardens had been simply gorgeously lush (Due to a lot humidity!) and I discovered this to be a spot of peace and reflection.

Extra courtyard and the nicely with koi.

I additionally love to have a look at structure and discover the rooflines fascinating – these turned up corners are generally embellished – the eye to element was lovely.

Trying again up on the gate tower we walked via –

Typically for those who do not look again, you may miss one of the best shot!

Manicured timber and delightful stonework.

These are the stone stelea or tablets –

These tombstone-like monuments honor graduates and sit atop turtles, representing longevity and knowledge. The form and measurement of the turtle modified with the passage of time.

The names on the tablets commemorate greater than 1,300 college students who attained doctoral ranks within the triennial royal courtroom exams held at Quoc Tu Giam and supply particulars concerning the greatness of the monarch issuing the examination, in addition to some regional historical past. 

Over time, the turtles’ foreheads have grow to be burnished by the contact of 1000’s of fingers. It was thought-about good luck for college kids to rub the heads of the statues earlier than their exams, however now there’s a fence to protect and defend the turtles. 

On the backs of turtles!

There are a number of pavilions containing these monuments.

The development of the stone stelae started in 1484 below the Emperor Lê Thánh Tông. He erected 116 steles of carved blue stone turtles with elaborate motifs to honor expertise and encourage research. The Turtle  is likely one of the nation’s 4 holy creatures – the others are the Dragon  the Unicorn and the Phoenix.

The docs’ steles are a useful historic useful resource for the research of tradition, training and sculpture in Vietnam. 82 stelae stay. They depict the names and birthplaces of 1307 graduates of 82 triennial royal exams. Between 1442 and 1779, eighty-one exams had been held by the Lê dynasty and one was held by the Mạc dynasty. 

The traditional Chinese language engravings on every stele reward the deserves of the monarch and cite the rationale for holding royal exams. In addition they document the mandarins who had been tasked with organizing the exams. 

They’re a useful historic useful resource for the research of philosophy historical past, tradition, training, society and sculpture in Vietnam. 

The stelae had been inscribed on UNESCO’s Reminiscence of the World Register in 2011.

I discovered the final paragraph attention-grabbing – they buried the monuments within the sand in the course of the Vietnam battle to guard them from being destroyed throughout bombings. 

Tablets from one other angle.

Confucius wrote:

1. “Examine the previous for those who would outline the long run.”

And extra lovely timber and gardens across the pond.

Take a look at the dragons on the roofline!

Simply lovely!

The fourth courtyard is the place you’ll discover the Ceremonial Corridor and Dai Bai Duong, the Sanctuary of Nice Success, which was as soon as thought-about so sacred that even the emperor was forbidden entry. At the moment, anybody might enter.

Inside is an elaborately embellished altar to Confucius and his 4 disciples Yanhui, Mencius, Zisi and Zheng Shen. On all sides stands a bronze crane atop a turtle’s again.

I suppose it is also good luck to rub the crane’s bellies and likewise the turtle heads on the backside – take a look at them shine!

One of many altars for 4 disciples Yanhui, Mencius, Zisi and Zheng Shen.

“The journey with a 1000 miles begins with one step.”

The Sanctuary of Nice Success homes a shrine to Confucius.

“Life is de facto easy, however we insist on making it difficult.”

Extra flowers, fruits and choices.

“I adopted my coronary heart with out breaking any guidelines.”

Dragon incense burner.

Fantastically manicured bonsai tree – take a look at the little home!

I really like these little particulars!

Roolines, burners, and dragons – oh my!

From the alternative facet, catching the dragons on the roof.

Stone statue – are these canine?

One other bonsai and delightful element

All over the place I regarded – there was one thing lovely to admire.

“All the pieces has magnificence, however not everybody sees it.”

Is not this simply attractive?

If it’s a temple, there have to be a gong!

This type of roofline element I really like!

“Wheresoever you go, go along with all of your coronary heart.”

Pattern writings of scholars.

Rooflines.

Do you know it was Confucius who first mentioned:

1. “Select a job you’re keen on, and you’ll by no means should work a day in your life.”

“We have now two lives, and the second begins once we notice we solely have one.”

The place there’s a gong, there’s additionally a drum!

“And bear in mind, irrespective of the place you go, there you might be.”

“It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t cease.”

However possibly this one sums it up finest: 

“In case your plan is for one yr plant rice. In case your plan is for ten years plant timber. In case your plan is for 100 years educate youngsters.”

And sure there’s extra to share, however this bought form of lengthy as it’s so I will cease right here.

It is Wednesday!  The Might Quiltvillians will arrive this afternoon and we’ll have all issues prepared in time.

What are your plans for right now?

Quiltville Quote of the Day –

This was a tough realization. If somebody’s unkindness causes you to even be unkind – they win.

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It may possibly trigger a domino impact of unkindness to unfold.

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Resist partaking in unkindness!

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That mentioned: Typically being variety is the final phrase and motion earlier than disengaging and shifting on for my very own psychological well being.

Heaps to consider right now!