“If you do not have a lover, go to Ha Pagoda then you will.” That is a common whisper to single people’s ears.  The word of mouth makes Ha Pagoda different from other pagodas which the majority of visitors are middle-aged or old people.

There are many stories about people all over the country who find their other half and happiness after visiting the pagoda. It is the favorite place for the young people who come to pray for love.

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Where is Ha Pagoda?

Ha Pagoda is situated at No 86 Chua Ha Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi

Ha Pagoda, also known as Thanh Duc Temple, was built during the reign of Ly Thanh Tong (1054 - 1072). This is the famous place to inspire the wishes of the people of the four directions.

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When should you go to pray?

Ha Pagoda opens from morning to 6 pm every day. Every month, people often choose the full moon day or the 1st day to go to pray, however, it's very crowded at this time so it's difficult for you to have time to bow down and pray under the Three Jewels or the Mother altar. Therefore, the recommended time is another auspicious day when the temple is quieter and more peaceful to have more time to pray.

What you need to pray for love

Visiting the pagoda, all usually come with three offering trays for being blessed.

The first one is for the Tam Bao place where Buddhas are worshipped, including incense, flowers, fresh fruits, and sweets.

The second one is for the Deity, including votive money, tea, wine, and non-vegetarian food.

The last one is for Mother Goddess, including fresh flowers, betel and areca (required), cakes, candies, and sponsored money. Besides, you will need 5 red roses, betel nut and merit money.

When entering the temple, you should write a letter, for the first time you need 3 orders: 1 order for the Tam Bao, 1 for the Deity, 1 for the Mother Goddess.

If it is not convenient to buy in advance, you can go to the temple gate to buy. The shops around the temple will prepare full trays of 3 boards for one person, the price is about 270,000 - 300,000 VND. Writing letter costs 50,000 VND / 3 sheets.

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The process of praying ceremony

Go to the Main Board

After offering the offering tray to each board, only light 5 incense sticks (should be lit in the yard near the place of gilding - next to the lake).

From the lake to the inside, there are 5 large incense bowls, go around to plug 1 stick in each bowl, bow 3 times in each bowl.

After you have finished plugging incense, make the first vows at the Deity Board (for fame and fortune), then go to the Tam Bao (for peace), then make three bows at the Duc Thanh Hien Board (for initiate enlightenment, good academic results if you are in school).

Then make 3 bows to each of the Dharma Protectors on left and right, also bow to the Twelve Kings of Hell on both sides.

Merit money is depended on you.

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Go to Mother Goddess's house

The Mother Goddess's house is below, the main board is in the middle of the house. First, you have to kneel down, put your hands together, face up, then pray.

Then, continue to kneel, face down, bowing to the Five Tigers, the Quan Am Dinh right below Mother Goddess board.

After that, stand up and do three bows to the altar to worship the Master on the right, then bow to the altar of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on the left.

After finishing the praying ceremony, go to Boi Ha communal on the right-hand side (the first house that you see when entering the pagoda)

Then you go out of the pagoda and do 3 bows to 2 statues that look after the pagoda doors on both sides.

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Notes when going to Ha pagoda

Ha Pagoda is a sacred place, so whether you want to pray or just visit the scenery, you need to note a few things:

- Do not wear short, revealing clothes. Should turn off the phone and do not say bad words when entering the temple.

- Do not take pictures or play around to damage the temple landscape.

- When going to pray at Ha Pagoda, note that the praying ceremony is only for those who still be alone, if those who have a predestined relationship or a couple come to pray will break up.

- When praying, you should keep your voice low, avoid making noise to people around. And it is important to pray for the fate to meet the person who is destined to be with you wholeheartedly, not to ask for a lover.

- Depending on each person, ask for a new love once or many times, as well as slow or fast.

Finally, remember that whether you go to Ha Pagoda or any other sacred temple to pray for something, you must have a sincere heart to complete it.

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Source: collected