Hoi Son Pagoda – An Architectural and Art Relic

Hoi Son Pagoda, also called Khanh Long Pagoda, was established and named after Buddhist monk Dao Thanh Khanh Long who reached the peak in his religion in late 18 th century. It is located on the Quit Hill in the present-day Long Binh Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City .

Hoi Son Pagoda, also called Khanh Long Pagoda, was established and named after Buddhist monk Dao Thanh Khanh Long who reached the peak in his religion in late 18th century. It is located on the Quit Hill in the present-day Long Binh Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City . The book "Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi" (Essays on the Great United Vietnam) written by historians in the time of King Tu Duc (1847-1883) under the Nguyen Dynasty, described the Pagoda's location as follows: "...the end of Chau Thoi Mountain turns north, and a part of it leads to Tuy Long Ward and a hill. On the top of the hill, there is a vast ground floor with many old trees, wild flowers and plants growing. Along the hill sides, there are caves and grottoes with water running around, and houses of the local residents. The entire environment is so tranquil." Hoi Son Pagoda – A national architectural and art relic. Statue of Buddha with architectural features of the Hinayana. Bronze bell in Hoi Son Pagoda. The great panel inscribed with letters of King Khai Dinh. The main chamber of Hoi Son Pagoda. The path leading to the shrine dedicated to Guangong. The tomb of Most Venerable Dao Thanh Khanh Long. Buddhist followers attend a praying ceremony at the Pagoda. A corner of the Pagoda with unique architecture. In 1993 Hoi Son Pagoda was classified as a National Architectural and Art Relic. Since its foundation, Hoi Son Pagoda has had 13 vergers. The Pagoda's main chamber was once restored and expanded, and four times upgraded with more architectural works built, making it a link between architecture and culture-religion of the Viet, Hoa and Kh'mer groups. The main chamber was built according to architecture of the Mahayana and in a square shape, with brick walls, Yin-Yang tile roof, and floor made of baked bricks. In the chamber there are statues displayed under the principle of "Buddha worshipped in the front, the pagoda's vergers at the back". On the front shrine, there worships a set of Tay Phuong Tam Thanh (Tay Phuong Three Buddhas, namely Mahasthanaprata Bodhisattva, Amitabha Buddha and Avalokitesvara). On its two sides are statues of the Guardians, 18 Arhats and Kwan Yin. At the back of the main chamber, there displays statues of Most Venerable Dao Thanh Khanh Long and three bonzes (who reached the peak of their religion at Hoi Son Pagoda and had the merits of founding some pagodas in other localities), alters dedicated to nuns Nhu Thanh and Nhu Tien and the latest verger. The path leading to the shrine dedicated toGuangong winds upward. Although there is some mixture in its architecture, the prevailing overview of Hoi Son Pagoda is its tranquility of the Mahayana traditional pagodas of the Viet. The correlation between the Viet and the Kh'mer people's Buddhist religion is reflected in the huge statue of the bonze sitting in meditation under a parasol decorated with a dragon head (in Kh'mer Pagoda the parasol is decorated with a snake head). Meanwhile at the pagodas of the Hoa ethnic group, the shrine dedicated to Guangong reflects the connection between the religions of the Viet and the Hoa people. According to the current verger of Hoi Son Pagoda, Most Venerable Thich Thien Hao, through the ups and downs in its history, some ancient statues were lost, for example the statue of the Sun and the Moon Gods. However, many artefacts of historical and religious value have been preserved, one of which is the great panel inscribed with letters of King Khai Dinh (1916-1925) when he visited the pagoda, now on display in the main chamber. There are four banyan trees standing in the courtyard, and a couple of parallel sentences, inscribed with prayers for the country's prosperity and its people's peaceful existence. Hoi Son Pagoda often holds prayer meetings and ceremonies that involve setting free captured birds and animals, and participates in social and charitable activities. On the first and fifteenth days of every lunar month, Buddhist believers and tourists from many parts of the country come to Hoi Son Pagoda for sight-seeing or worship. Due to its beautiful and romantic location, the Pagoda is also a rendezvous for many young couples who visit and pray for good luck and everlasting love.