The ancient Vietnamese pagoda is not a rare project, but the ancient pagoda with Chinese architectural style like Ong Bien Hoa Pagoda is not everywhere.
About Ong Bien Hoa pagoda
Ong pagoda is a folk way to refer to the shrines and assemblies of the Vietnamese or Chinese-Vietnamese who specialize in worshiping saints, historical figures or Buddha gods. Currently, Vietnam has a total of 6 Ong pagodas, only in the South there are 2 pagodas in Can Tho and Dong Nai.
Accordingly, Ong Bien Hoa pagoda is also known as that of the ancient temple of Quan Thanh De Temple, because it is dedicated to the god Quan Cong, representing the middle, filial piety, temperament, and meaning. Previously, the pagoda was located in Chau Dai Pho, Cu Lao Pho, but now it belongs to Hiep Hoa commune, Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province .
Ancient Ong Temple in the heart of a modern city (Photo @ voviet88)
The temple was built around 1684, up to now has a age of more than 330 years, so it is considered the oldest temple in the South, and at the same time marks an important historical column of Vietnamese and Chinese in the process of reclaiming and expanding the wild land of the South.
Through the changes of time, the harsh weather and the devastation of war, the Ong temple in Bien Hoa was almost completely damaged, so it has undergone many restorations. in 1817, 1868, 1894, 1927 and the biggest one from 2009 to 2010 to get the impressive appearance it is today.
In particular, in 2011, the temple was ranked by the Ministry of Culture – Sports and Tourism as a national-level historical and cultural monument , so it always attracts a lot of people to visit and pilgrimage every day.
The unique architecture of Ong Bien Hoa pagoda
The pagoda covered the ancient temple welcomes visitors by a towering three-door stone gate, although the name of the pagoda is written in Chinese characters, the roof of the yin-yang tile roof is green and yellow, the above is intricately carved two dragons. The gate is adoring the dragon ball, the gate is eye-catching bright red, and a few more red lanterns are hanging, so no one can ignore it.
Eye-catching temple gate (Photo @ 1zuong0pao2.sle)
In addition, the pagoda is also surrounded by a 2.5m high pink brick wall, overlooking the gentle Dong Nai river and ancient si-tree shading the side of the road, giving it both an ancient look. while mixed a little modern.
Although it has been restored many times, but the architecture of Ong Bien Hoa pagoda remains intact as it was originally, with the typical Chinese pagoda style, which is the shape of the word “Khau” arranged according to the “internal structure. Foreign public works “, consists of a building in the middle, also known as the main hall in the shape of” Cong “and the two sides are auxiliary works called the lang lang and the west.
The temple has a familiar Chinese shape (Photo @neyux_ah)
The roof of the pagoda is roofed with crimson yin and yang tiled tiles that are tinged with moss and the top of the roof is fitted with a tube in the traditional Vietnamese style. On the tiled roof are works of art expressing the basis of Chinese beliefs such as statues of Mr. Nhat, Ms. Nguyet and festivals of opera, stone bridge, royal dance … are delicately sculpted from poisonous blue ceramic. unique, making everyone unable to take their eyes off.
The wall surface of Ong pagoda in Dong Nai is paved with a layer of pink bricks, creating a highlight and making the temple space glow. This is also the point that makes it even more similar to Ong pagoda in Can Tho , the only difference is that the courtyard is wider, airier, with more small scenes, typically such as the giant cistern and the elaborate gate So if you just look at it, you will easily get it wrong.
Unique pink wall (Photo @ vincentnk.duy)
However, the most prominent place of the temple is probably the main shrine area, consisting of Tien Dien, Trung Dien and Hau Dien connected together in a straight axis from the outside, bearing Chinese features, with pillars and roofs. The tiles to the door are gorgeous and powerful red.
In particular, on the columns, there are sentences with gold letters and diaphragms in praise of Quan Cong’s prestige, along with the many lamas, jars, hammocks, hammocks, etc., all of them are engraved with delicate figures. photos of gods, mascots, flowers and daily life scenes of people such as carrying water, cutting firewood …
The building is in yellow, red and noble (Photo @ angel240592)
In the center of the main hall, the statue of Quan Cong (ie Quan Thanh De Quan) is dressed in blue brocade, exuding majesty and majesty. Besides worshiping Quan Binh and Chau Xuong Hau – his adoptive son and loyal servant. The next two worshiping rooms are worshiping Thien Hau Thanh Mau and Kim Hoa Nuong Nuong.
The main shrine of Quan Cong (Photo @binh__huynh)
In addition, inside Ong Bien Hoa pagoda, there are many other worshiping places scattered everywhere of worship: Buddhist Mother Chuan De, Nguyen Quan, Mother Do, Mother Sanh, Bao Cong, Than Tai, Ngu Hanh Nuong Nuong, Thai The, Guanyin Bodhisattva and mascots such as dragons, tigers …
Typically, the Quan Am Cac (Quan Am shrine) has 2 floors behind the newly built main hall, so it has a very Vietnamese design. Or the old building on the left is Phuoc Chau shop now to worship the God of Fortune.
Guan Yin has different architecture (Photo @neyux_ah)
Activities not to be missed at Ong Bien Hoa Pagoda
It is known that Quan Thanh is an extremely sacred god, so on holidays, New Year or even the 1st and 10th of the full moon every month, many people bring gifts and fragrances to pray for peace. health, luck, prosperity and fortune for themselves and loved ones.
Everyone who comes here must worship Buddha (Photo @ tranphuongnam1710)
Besides, because Ong Bien Hoa pagoda exudes an ancient, quiet “breath” like the background of ancient films, if you come here with flowing ao dai, traditional Nhat Binh costumes or clothes If clothes are bright red, you will “buy” a lot of “luxurious – fine – smooth” virtual living pictures.
Wearing a bit of sur tone is pretty cool (Photo @tonngodong)
You can also buy couplets, unique calligraphy paintings or lucky charms at the on-site shops as a lucky gift for your family after your visit to the temple.
Don’t forget to buy calligraphy as gifts (Photo @anpt_ph)
In particular, from January 10 to 13 every year, this place usually takes place the biggest Ong pagoda festival of the year, to combine the folk beliefs of the two traditional Vietnamese – Chinese cultures and admire the Sage Tien has been instrumental in expanding and building a prosperous land of Bien Hoa today.
At this time, people inside and outside the province flocked to a lot of roads and the grounds of Ong Cu Lao pagoda , to watch the inviting ceremony and the god (welcoming) ceremony, the incense offering ceremony, the worshiping ceremony, and the release of Phuc Khiem. Bridge (balloon with wishes), release Hoa Dang, traditional cultural performances of the Chinese community such as: Don ca tai tu, classical opera, lion dance – monk – dragon, calligraphy and greed. folk games… makes the atmosphere extremely exciting and bustling.
The festival has many attractive programs (Photo @ rita.pum269)
In addition, if you are a fan of the bustle and sparkling lights at night, you can also come on other major holidays such as: Grandpa’s Day, Ba’s Ceremony, Vu Lan … will definitely not do. You must be disappointed.
If you are too bored with the modern, crowded and noisy tourist sites of Dong Nai, go to Ong Bien Hoa Temple to feel the peace of mind and good traditional culture still with time.
Photo: Internet