Traveling to Can Tho will give you many unforgettable experiences, from the life of the floating market to the uniqueness of the ancient houses. Furthermore, it is a spiritual land with many famous pagodas, and one of the new hot spots is Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery.
Overview of Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery
Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery (Vietnamese: thiền viện Trúc Lâm Phương Nam, thiền viện means monastery) is located in Mỹ Nhơn hamlet, An Binh Ward, about 15 km from the center of Cần Thơ. This is one of the largest monasteries in Southwestern Vietnam. It was built in July 2013 and officially inaugurated on May 17, 2014. It is one of the largest Buddhist works in the Southwest, with a total area of up to 38,016 square meters.
The monastery followed the Trúc Lâm Yên Tử sect of Emperor Trần Nhân Tông, who led the Vietnamese against the Mongol invasions. When the country was at peace again, the emperor ceded the throne to his son and went to Yên Tử mountain to practice on his own. He founded the Trúc Lâm Yên Tử sect, showing influence from Confucian and Taoist philosophy.
The architecture of the Truc lam Phuong Nam
The monastery was built in the style of the Buddhism Lý – Trần Dynasty. The main triple-gate has curved arches with a stylized dragon’s head, made of precious wood, and roofed with red tile. In the middle of the gate is a wooden sign engraved with gilded embossed letters “Trúc Lâm Phương Nam Monastery”.
Below the sign on both sides of the gate are two statues of Dharmapala. Through the entrance is a spacious, bright red-brick courtyard leading to the sanctum. You will see two ranges of marble statues of the Eighteen Arhats, arranged parallel; each side consists of 9 talentedly sculptured figures.
On the right side of the sanctum, the bell-tower with a high curved roof, following the architecture of the Keo Pagoda (Thái Bình), has a bronze bell weighing 1.5 tons.
On the left side of the sanctum is the drum-tower with an elaborately, exquisitely sculptured drum shelf. All the above items are made from about 1,000 blocks of ironwood imported directly from South Africa.
One Pillar Pagoda is built next to the drum-tower, following the same style as the original one in Hanoi.
The sanctum is tiled with eight roofs in the Buddhist style of the Trần Dynasty. The roof is a typical architectural model that simulates the agricultural life of the Vietnamese people.
Entering the main hall, you will be overwhelmed by the giant statues; the space is extremely quiet but full of majesty. The floor is lined with red brick. All 44 wooden columns are solemnly placed on granite stone boards with stylized sculptured lotus flowers. In particular, the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha worshiped in the sanctum is made of bronze, weighs 3.5 tons, and is 2 meters high, meditating in a lotus flower. The Bodhisattva statue and others are carved from Keteleeria davidiana wood, which is around 800 years old.
With its spiritual significance and distinctive features, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery is considered one of the most distinctive works of art in Can Tho City. It has brought extremely meaningful spiritual and cultural values, surely making you feel at peace and enjoy.
Useful information Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery
- Best for: Family, couple, solo, pilgrims
- Entrance: Free
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 17:00
- Other tourist spots nearby: Bình Thủy temple, Phong Điền floating market, Bằng Lăng stork sanctuary, Trúc Lâm Phương Nam Monastery, Bình Thủy ancient, Cái Răng floating market, Ông Temple…
Source: collected by An
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