Tay Ninh is a province bordering Cambodia, known for numerous religious sites and for being a sacred, peaceful land. The splendid beauty of the Go Ken pagoda is one of the features that attracts tourists. Let’s explore the detailed beauty of Go Ken and the heroic historical stories hidden within this special pagoda with Vietdreamtravel.vn.
Overview of the Go Ken pagoda
Location: Hoa Thanh Ward, Tay Ninh province.
Go Ken pagoda (Vietnamese: chùa Gò Kén; chùa means pagoda), also known as Thien Lam, was built on a site of nearly 6,000 square meters. Around the Go Ken Pagoda are vast green fields with large tree canopies creating a poetic and lyrical scene.
The entrance of Go Ken Pagoda
The pagoda features an ample open space and an impressive architectural system. At first glance, the pagoda appears to be of the Northern Buddhist sect, with the typical architectural style of pagodas in Vietnam.
The land on which the pagoda was built was once relatively high, often referred to as a hill. The name of the pagoda – Go Ken, comes from a family of climbing plants, with red ripe fruits, sweet to eat but not sour. The name “Go Ken” still exists today, even though this plant species no longer grows around the pagoda.
History of Go Ken Pagoda in Tay Ninh
Construction of Go Ken Pagoda began in 1904 under the guidance of the abbot, Thich Tri Luong. At that time, the pagoda was built using basic materials, primarily bamboo.
After many historical changes, the Go Ken Pagoda was officially restored and renovated in 1970. After numerous changes, in 2007, Venerable Thich Thien Nghia continued restoring and adding many works. As a result, Go Ken Pagoda has a new appearance and the spacious beauty it has today.
Discovering the Buddhist architecture of the Northern Sect
Go Ken Pagoda offers a large space with many cultural activities, providing a distinct religious experience. The Go Ken Pagoda is approximately 450 square meters, with the entire roof covered in tiles; the main door is arched, and the gable wall is open. The pagoda’s distinctive structure evokes a Christian church set amid a space filled with many Buddha statues. This special feature makes the Go Ken Pagoda both familiar and unique.
The architectural complex of the Go Ken Pagoda comprises three rooms and six wings and is divided into many categories. The pagoda includes the main hall, bell tower, preaching tower, garden… Inside the sanctum, the layout is not horizontal, with no front-to-back layers, following the traditional pagoda layout in the South.
The architectural style of the Go Ken Pagoda is innovative, with two rows of columns running the length of the structure; each row includes 6 columns. The two rows of columns divide the space into three distinct parts while remaining relatively open.
Just past the main hall, you can see 14 altars, which are carved in a sophisticated and quite beautiful way. In particular, there is also a 3-meter-high Buddhist altar decorated with parallel sentences, large characters, and prominent golden panels.
In addition, the bell tower and the scaffolding tower, with a structure interwoven from stone and wood, are among the impressive architectural features of Go Ken Pagoda. At first glance, the tower appears rustic and simple yet extremely sturdy.
Worshipping Buddha and discovering exquisite statues
Worshipping the Buddha is a common practice among tourists visiting the Go Ken Pagoda. In the pagoda’s sacred space, you can find Buddha statues with impressive, sophisticated lines.
Standing out right in front of the pagoda yard is the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni meditating under the cool green Bodhi tree. The statue is exquisitely carved, featuring a meditative portrait of the Buddha that creates a peaceful, gentle feeling.
The statue of Buddha Shakyamuni meditating
The most impressive feature at Go Ken Pagoda is the 25-meter-high statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara on horseback. The 7-meter-high statue of the Bodhisattva riding is solemnly placed on a white lotus pedestal in the middle of the lake.
On the grounds, there is also a 25-meter-long statue of the Buddha entering Nirvana, painted in majestic white. Furthermore, the pagoda features several distinctive features, including Lumbini Garden, the Maitreya Buddha Temple, and the 9-storey Xa Loi Stupa.
The statue of Buddha entering Nirvana
In addition to the sanctum, Go Ken Pagoda also impresses with the Bell Tower and the Teaching Tower – two structures built of stone and wood, creating a rustic yet sturdy beauty. This is where the pagoda’s most critical religious activities are held.
Source: collected by An
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