Along with Phu Ly Pagoda, Ngoc Xa Loi Buddha Pagoda, Hanh Phuc Tang Pagoda is considered a unique traditional cultural and religious symbol of Vinh Long.
The way to the Hanh Phuc Tang pagoda
Happiness Sangha in Khmer is called Sanghamangala. This famous temple of Khmer people is located in Trung Trach hamlet, Trung Thanh commune, Vung Liem district, Vinh Long province.
The path to the temple with this ancient and unique architecture is quite simple, the road is flat. If visitors depart from Ho Chi Minh City, they will go through a distance of more than 100km. You can choose to ride a motorbike or car, follow National Highway 1A to Vinh Long province. When you reach the center of Vinh Long city, you continue to go through 2 ferries Bang Tra and Thanh Binh and then move a short distance, you will reach the temple.
The way to the temple. Photo: FB of Hanh Phuc Tang ancient pagoda.
What time of the year should you go to Hanh Phuc Tang Pagoda?
Like other beautiful temples in Vinh Long , Hanh Phuc Tang ancient pagoda is open all year round to welcome tourists from all over the world to visit and visit. But if you love the bustling festival atmosphere and want to learn more about the religion and traditional culture of the Khmer people in the Southwest, you should check in the temple at the time of 3 important festivals.
The beautiful pagoda of Vinh Long. Photo: Feeling Vietnam.
These are: Chol Chnam Thmay festival, Ok – Om – Bok festival and the meaningful Sen Don Ta festival. The first festival of the year is the Chol Chnam Thmay Festival, also known as the traditional New Year celebration of the Khmer people. This festival takes place from April 14 to 16. It is followed by the Sen Don Ta festival (the worshiping ceremony of grandparents). If the Kinh and the Chinese have the Vu Lan festival taking place on the full moon of July every year, the Khmer people celebrate the filial piety ceremony on October 14-15 and October 1. Finally, the Ok – Om – Bok ceremony. This is the Moon Ceremony or “Dumping Com Flat” which takes place on October 14-15 of the lunar calendar every year.
One of the most beautiful Khmer temples in the West. Photo I’m a Westerner
The legend of the birth of Hanh Phuc Tang pagoda
Traveling to Vinh Long and visiting the Hanh Phuc Tang ancient pagoda at this time, you can immerse yourself in the bustling and joyful atmosphere of the traditional festival while praying for peace and worshiping in a solemn space. and the antiquity of this historic religious building.
According to the narrators living in the locality, in the past, the area where the temple was located was an old forest with many wild animals such as tigers and leopards, etc. Therefore, no one in the area dared to approach the area. come here. Until one day, a monk came here to live and practice. From then on, he began to tame animals and gradually they became gentler, more obedient, and did not attack humans anymore. The small temple was named Hanh Phuc by this monk, and since then this name has survived to this day.
Temple gate. Photo: thamhiemmekong
Regarding the date of formation, researchers believe that the Ancient Temple of Happiness was formed a very long time ago. It is even said that this is the oldest temple compared to other Khmer pagodas in the two provinces with many ancient temples, Vinh Long and Tra Vinh. Accordingly, the pagoda was built in the year 632 of the solar calendar, that is, in the 7th century. This conclusion is drawn based on the number of years of the temple’s founding, which is meticulously engraved on the wall of the main hall. Initially, the pagoda was just a small temple built with simple leaves. Through time and many ups and downs, the temple named Hanh Phuc Tang has been restored, repaired and built many times with solid reinforced concrete. The last renovation was in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
The ancient temple of Hanh Phuc Sang in Khmer is called Sanghamangala. Photo: Vietfuntravel
Khmer architecture of Hanh Phuc Tang pagoda
In Tra Vinh, Hang Kompong Chray Pagoda, Ang Pagoda and Vam Ray Pagoda are typical examples of the traditional culture of Khmer people, while Phu Ly Pagoda, Ky Son Pagoda and Hanh Phuc Tang Ancient Pagoda are considered religious works. represents ancient Khmer architecture. All are shown first in the elaborately carved patterns in the temple.
Buddha statue in front of the main hall. Photo: thamhiemmekong
The beauty of the ancient temple is also in the delicate blend of Indian and Thai construction styles. In front of the temple, yard is a large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha 12m high with a solemn posture to bless sentient beings. The main hall area is built with a high foundation, made of concrete and solid cement, the floor is tiled after many restorations. The roof is tiled into 3 levels, creating a beautiful slope of 45 degrees but still retaining the ancient features.
Reclining Buddha statue. Photo: FB of Hanh Phuc Tang ancient pagoda.
Besides, on each column head here, there is a figure of goddess Kayno as a ledge to support the roof, touching quite delicately. The pointed peak in the center of the roof is elaborately sculpted. When entering the main hall, visitors will realize the largest work of the temple including large statues such as the statue of Buddha begging for alms, the statue of Buddha meditating, the statue of the Buddha conquering Mara and the statue of Buddha entering Nirvana…
Unique architecture. Photo: Vntrip
There are also embossed statues on both sides of the altar. Behind the main hall is the sala planting area. There is a Buddha altar facing the East and the back hall is built in the style of horizontal houses, brick walls and tile roofs. This is also the meeting place as well as receiving guests of Buddhists or the place to conduct other rituals of the ancient Hanh Phuc Sang temple, including the rice offering ceremony… In addition, the temple grounds also have simas, concept indicating the place to bury the “stone of the precepts” in Buddhist practice.
Main hall area. Photo: Vntrip
The natural beauty of Hanh Phuc Tang pagoda
The temples in the West have their own beauty and uniqueness. But there is one thing in common in religious works from Lau pagoda, Huynh Dao An Giang pagoda, Vinh Trang Tien Giang pagoda to Nam Hai Bac Lieu Quan Am pagoda and even the ancient Hanh Phuc Tang pagoda, which is that they all own no property. The quiet, quiet time makes everyone who comes here feel relaxed and comfortable.
Buddha statue on big holiday in temple. Photo: FB of Hanh Phuc Tang ancient pagoda.
It is because in the temple there are many green trees, especially hundreds of years old trees, from star trees, oil trees, sala trees, … If Soc Trang Bat Pagoda is impressive because it is the residence of the While the flock of bats is crowded, Hanh Phuc Tang Pagoda has a cool campus with many green trees that attracts thousands of birds to nest and sing happily.
Quiet, quiet space. Photo: thamhiemmekong
Anyone who has visited the temple at least once will feel calmer and the heart, no matter how troubled, is purified. If you are lucky enough to come here on the right occasion of the holidays, visitors can also immerse themselves in the joyful and joyful atmosphere when Khmer people and Buddhists from all over the world come here to worship Buddha, attend ceremonies, pray for peace and harmony. tour around.
Hanh Phuc Tang ancient pagoda at night. Photo: Vinh Long Newspaper.
Hanh Phuc Tang Pagoda with a history of more than 1000 years, is the pride of the people of Vung Liem town, Vinh Long province in particular, and the West in general. Not only bringing unique architecture mixed with many thrilling anecdotes with a long history of formation, the ancient temple is also a place where the beauty of traditional culture, history, and religion of the Khmer people converge. This is also an attractive Vinh Long tourist destination that brings meaningful culture to tourists near and far.
Photo: Internet