Hoi Son Pagoda – An Architectural Relic

VOV News, Jun 3, 2010

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

The book "Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi" (Essays on the Great United Vietnam) written by historians at the time of King Tu Duc (1847-1883) under the Nguyen Dynasty, described the Pagoda's location as follows on the top of the hill, there are many old trees, wild flowers and plants. Along the hillside, there are caves and grottoes and streams, and the houses of local residents. The entire environment is very tranquil."

In 1993 Hoi Son Pagoda was classified as a National Treasure and a historical site.

Since its foundation, Hoi Son Pagoda has seen 13 vergers. The Pagoda's main chamber was restored and expanded, and upgraded with more interesting architectural works built, portraiting the culture and religion of the Viet, Hoa and Kh'mer groups.

The main chamber was built in the Mahayana style and square shape, with brick walls, a Yin-Yang tile roof, and a floor of baked bricks. In the chamber there are statues on display and the principle of "Buddha worshipped in the front, the pagoda's vergers at the back". On the front shrine, there are 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 are statues of Most Venerable Dao Thanh Khanh Long and three bonzes, who founded pagodas in other areas. The alters are dedicated to nuns Nhu Thanh and Nhu Tien and the latest verger.

The path that leads to the shrine dedicated to Guangong winds up the hill. Although there is some mixtures in its architecture, the prevailing overview of Hoi Son Pagoda is the tranquility of the Mahayana traditional pagodas of the Viet people.

The correlation between the Viet and the Kh'mer people's Buddhist religion is reflected in the huge statue 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, the 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 historical artefacts of religious value have been preserved, one of which is the great panel inscribed with writings by 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 it takes 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 to sight-see 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.
We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot
NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.


Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team


Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv


TOP