Hue - Part II

Tu Hieu Pagoda We visited the Tu Hieu Pagoda (located a few kilometers south of Hue) for the sole purpose of witnessing the daily ritual of the singing monks.  Everyday at approximately 11:00 a.m., when the monks finish their last meal of the day, they begin to chant prayers as they proceed to the main sanctuary and continue chanting their prayers as they prostrate before the Buddha images in the temple.  Although we have visited many temples and pagodas throughout Southeast Asia, this was the first time that we had a chance to witness this solemn ritual.

The main sanctuary at Tu Hieu Pagoda.

Entrance to the Tu Hieu Pagoda surrounded by a beautiful lotus pond.

Monks prostrating and praying before the main altar.

The monks finishing their last meal of the day.  One of the five precepts of being a monk prohibits the consumption of food after 12 noon.

Detail of the Tu Hieu Pagoda.

Another of the monks precepts is to have no possessions except for their robes (three sets, lower, inner and outer), an alms bowl for collecting food, a razor, a cup, a water filter to screen impurities from their drinking water and an umbrella.

Tu Duc's Tomb Tu Duc had the longest reign of any Nguyen monarch from 1848 to 1883 and his tomb is the best preserved of all of the Nguyen monarchs' tombs.  Tu Duc designed his elaborate tomb while alive and it took three years to construct using forced labor.  Due to the fear of graverobbers, Tu Duc was never entombed here but was actually buried at an undisclosed location somewhere nearby.  In fact, all 200 people involved in his burial procession were beheaded immediately afterwards to safeguard the location.  Tu Duc's tomb is located six kilometers south of Hue, near the southern banks of the Perfume River.

Xung Khiem Pavillion on Luu Khiem Lake where Tu Duc spent his days fishing.

Detail of an elaborately carved table inside the Phap Khiem House on the grounds of Tu Duc's tomb.

The gate to the deer raising garden.

Detail of a stairway leading to the On Khiem Palace.

One of the many gates that lead into the numerous courtyards that surround Tu Duc's tomb.

Row of administrative mandarins and animals leading to Tu Duc's tomb.

Close-up of Tu Duc's stele extolling his accomplishments during his reign.

This stele describes the achievements of the Emperor Tu Duc.  Steles are a common feature of all of the nguyen monarchs' tombs.  These commemorative tablets were usually composed by the deceased monarch's successor, however Tu Duc wrote his own memorial while still alive.

Detail of the entrance to the Empresses' tomb.  Tu Duc's wife, the Empress, also had her tomb Located within the same compound.

More detail of the entrance to the Empresses' tomb.

The seldom used and hidden rear entrance to Tu Duc's tomb.

Entrance to Kien Phuc's tomb.  Although Tu Duc had 104 concubines, he died without any children and adopted Kien Phuc to carry on his lineage.

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