Pagodas Temples in HCM city Vietnam
Giac Lam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City ( chua giac lam)
118 Lac Long Quan, Tan Binh
Although situated out on a limb north-west of Cho Lon , this pagoda should not be missed as it is arguably SaiGon’s finest and certainly the oldest. It was built in 1744 and has been twice restored since ( most recently in 1906), but still exudes architectural and decorative harmony. The obligatory Quan Am statue stands outside in the partly cultivated garden near some elaborate tombs with Chinese inscriptions. Inside, 98 pillars and 113 statues emerge from the atmospheric gloom of a hardwood hall lined with rows of ancestral tablets, the only anomaly being the plastic cloths on the monks’ refectory tables. In the main altar room stands a tree of wandering souls, as well as tiny Bodhisattvas and a vast pantheon of Buddhist statues.
Giac Lam Pagoda
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in HCM City ( Chua Vinh Nghiem)
It is located on 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia road, district 3. It was constructed according to the Chinese character. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda was built as the headquarters of Vinh Nghiem region to treat of religious affairs. It was built between 1964 and 1973 with funds from Buddhism followers. The pagoda is noteworthy for its ancient Asian architecture with a seven-story tower, which houses various Buddha statues and a bell presented by Japanese Buddhists during Vietnam war as a token of their prayers to end the war. At the base of the tower is a shop selling Buddhist ritual objects ( open only on holiday). Every day opens from 7.30 to 11.30 am and 2 to 6 pm.
Giac Vien Pagoda
Giac Vien Pagoda
The Buddhist Giac Vien Pagoda on Lac Long Quan road was bilt in 1803. It was formerly known as Chau Ho Dat ( Earth Pit Pagoda), due to the vast amounts of earth required to fill in the site before its construction. Some 153 beautifully-carved statues are housed within the pagoda. One of the most valueable items in the pagoda is a decorated palanquin, presented to the pagoda’s founder, Bonze Superior Hai Tinh Giac Vien, by the Nguyen court. His statue stands near the rear of the temple’s second chamber.
Thien Hau Pagoda / Heavenly lady / Chua Ba
Thien Hau Pagoda
Thien Hau pagoda ( also known as Mieu Ba) was built by the Cantonese Congregation in the early 19th century. Of late it has become something of a showcase for tours operated by Saigon Tourist and Vietnam Tourism, which may explain the recent extensive renovations. This pagoda is one of the most active in Cho Lon.
The pagoda is dedicated to Thien Hau ( also known as Tuc Goi La Ba) , the Chinese Goddness of the Sea who protects fisherfolks, sailors, merchants and anyone alse who travels by sea. It is said that Thien Hau can travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases. Her mobility allows her to save people in trouble on the high seas.
Jade Emperor’s Pagoda ( Chua Ngoc Hoang)
Jade Emperor’s Pagoda
73 Mai Thi Luu, Da kao, district1
This theatrical 1909 pagoda, built by Saigon’s Cantonese community, successfully unites most of the Buddhist and Taoist iconography-no mean feat. A paved courtyard with turtle-pond, shaded by a generous banyan tree and fragrant frangipanis, fronts the pink-washed building. It is dedicated to the Taoist Jade Emperor, Ngoc Hoang, whose draped statue presides over the inner sanctuary, flanked by his four Guardians of the Great Diamonds and watching over six Taoist gods. At the back on the right is the 18-armed Mother of the Five Buddhas of North, South, East, West and Center, and on the left is the sword-grasping Ong Bac De, reincarnation of the Jade Emperor. Leading of this hall is a side room filled with wood panels that represent the 1,000 torments of hell and, adjoining this, a room dominated by Thanh Hoang, the Ruler of Hell, and his red horse. Equally fascinating are the rows of 12 ceramic female figures surrounded by children, each symbolising a Chinese lunar year and vice or virtue.
