Place of interest

Viên Giác Pagoda

The pagoda is located near the exhibition grounds.

The Viên Giác Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of Perfect Enlightenment, is located in Hanover's Mittelfeld district and serves as a center of faith for Vietnamese Buddhists. It is one of the largest pagodas in Europe and one of eight Vietnamese Buddhist pagodas in Germany. Construction of the building began in 1987 and was completed in 1993 after the architect Tran Phong Luu had submitted a design. The construction costs amounted to around DM 9 million. The 24 meter high tower is decorated with around 10,000 small Buddha figures, which were financed by donations. The complex comprises around 3000 m² of building space and an outdoor area of 1000 m² with two small ponds. The prayer hall inside offers space for around 700 visitors and is barrier-free.

The pagoda follows the teachings of the Pure Land of Sukhavati in Amitabha Buddhism, a tradition that traces its origins to the worship of Amitabha Buddha in India. The Vietnamese abbot Thích Như Điển founded the Buddhist community in Hanover in 1978 and initiated the construction of the monastery. In 1991, the pagoda was officially inaugurated, even though construction was not yet fully complete. In 1995, the Dalai Lama visited the monastery and delivered a teaching there. The pagoda also serves as a venue for regular and special events, including daily recitations and major festivals such as Tết, Vesakh, and Ullambana.

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