Nhat Tru Pagoda is located in the complex of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, located in Yen Thanh village, Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, built in the pre-Le period. This is the place to store the oldest stone Buddhist columns in Vietnam.
Studies show that the column of Nhat Tru Buddhist temple was erected by King Le Dai Hanh in 995 in order to pray for the state of civil security, strong court and the trust of the Buddha Dharma.
This 1,000-year-old Buddhist sutra is made of stone, 4.16m high, weighs 4.5 tons, assembled with 6 different parts including: Square, round base, octagonal body, octagonal cutting board, Octagonal match and lotus top.
Parts of the Buddhist sutra are fastened together by dreaming without the use of adhesives, and through many historical periods remain solid and retain their original appearance.

 
Not only unique in architecture, column of Nhat Tru Pagoda is also a unique artifact with great cultural and historical value. On the eight sides of the pillar carved about 2,500 Chinese characters.
Although many parts have faded over time, researchers still identify the main contents of the Buddhist columns, which are lost, the Buddhist scriptures that reflect a period of history of Vietnamese Buddhism.
It can be said that this pillar is a milestone for the development of Buddhism in our country in the beginning of gaining autonomy and independence, and at the same time demonstrating ingenuity in the art of decoration, carving on stone. , the crafting art of our father at that time.
With outstanding historical values, in 2015 the pillar of Nhat Tru pagoda was recognized as a national treasure of Vietnam.

Source: Quốc Lê / kienthuc.net.vn