Trấn Quốc Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist temple in Ha Noi.  It was originally built from 544 to 548; however, it has been refurbished and rebuilt a number of times since—websites disagree on the last renovation which may have occurred just before the turn of this century.  The pagoda is located on a small island near the southeastern shore of Ha Noi’s West Lake which is a lovely location.  We visited it on my last trip here in 2001 and I may have taken the same pictures that I did this time.

On the grounds of Trấn Quốc is a Bodhi tree taken as cutting of the original tree in Bodh Gaya, India under which the Buddha sat and achieved enlightenment. The gift was made in 1959, marking the visit of the Indian president Rajendra Prasad.  The tree is not marked, or at least not marked in English.  I should have looked up what it looked like before visiting.

In the Trấn Quốc pagoda they also worship female Buddhas, known as the Mothers. Their shrines are in the front of the courtyard. The green Mother has domain over the mountains and forests. The white Mother has domain over the water. The red Mother has domain over the sky. These are some of the oldest gods or goddesses that have been worshiped in Vietnam and were in Vietnam before the Buddha.  I could only find the red Mother.